THE second meeting of the Ndlambe council took place on Tuesday and newly elected mayor Phindile Faxi was in a very accommodating mood, stating he wanted to “maintain” the status quo. However, it was not that Faxi sat back and just listened to what was being said. From his demeanour it was evident that this is a man who likes to take control of business, asking the council to consider a few amendments to the council agendas and taking it upon himself to attempt to receive an unqualified audit for 20016/2017 financial year, a feat never yet achieved by the municipality. We wish him good luck and hope that the spirit of cooperation is, indeed, maintained for the benefit of the residents and ratepayers of Ndlambe.
THE Bathurst Dog Show takes place at the Village Green on Saturday from 9am to 5pm, so it’s time to get your dog brushes out and tie bows on your pouch to make him or her resplendent for the judges (by the way, I have it on the authority of dog whisperer Cesar Millan that most male dogs really don’t like dressing up as their friends laugh at them). This should be a really fun event, the type that can only be held in Bathurst, with market stalls, gluhwein and owners going barking mad. So, get to Bathurst for a really fun day for all the family.
HAIR-RAISING events have been happening at schools around the country as pupils throw out their hair straighteners and afro combs and go au natural into the classrooms. These pupils, and their parents, are claiming racism by not allowing children the right to wear their hair in the traditional “African” way. It is easy to fall into the trap of sympathising with the pupils, but surely having tidy hair is not a race issue, but one of self-respect and discipline. In my youth (yes, I can remember back that far) I remember kids who were sent home because their hair touched the collar of their shirt – and this was during the mad 70s when having long hair was a social norm. Come on boys and girls, stop shouting racism on every issue. You do know the story of the boy who cried wolf, don’t you?
IT really doesn’t matter who is right or who is wrong regarding the Hawks’ investigation of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, as a lot of damage has already been done, to the country and to the credibility of the ruling party. The ANC seems at odds with itself, with senior members demanding a change in leadership in order to rescue the organisation from factionalism and ultimate collapse, while the Rand has taken yet another tumble against international currencies. Let it be said that no one is above the law, but the action of the directorate for priority crime investigation seems to have its own agenda to capture the national treasury. If Gordhan is guilty of a crime then he must be charged, otherwise he must be left alone to do his job, and not be criticised by the likes of the former short-lived minister of finance, Des van Rooyen.
SPRING has sprung and yes neighbours – it’s the time of the year to take your vitamins, to put that extra spring into your step and get ready for the season ahead, as spring is the time for de-cluttering, spring-cleaning and ‘big time’ gardening. September 4 is the start of National Arbor Week (until September 10), so plant one or both of the trees of the year, Sophia Town Oak Tree, or the Sagole Baobab Tree. Also don’t forget tomorrow is Casual Day. Buy your stickers from Jet, CNA or Absa and dress up to this year’s theme, “Up Your Game” ( for persons with disability) and have fun!
CONGRATULATIONS and every good wish for the coming year to everyone who is having a birthday this week, especially Lynne Costa, Magda Rieger, Malcolm Evans, Charles Frederichs, Charles Randall, David Bradfield, Adrian Moss, Stasha van Rooyen, Judy Paterson, Syd Dugmore, Kathy Riddin, Dimitri Papa, Philli Dell, Mirinda Venter, Jason Odendaal, Erica Burnette, John Ford, Gideon Thiersen, Fanie Fouche, Daniel Botha, Sallie Jane Edwards, Cameron Kretschmann, Justin Wilmot, Deidre Muller, Robyn Hobbs, Frans Nel, Lauren McCreath, Sheldon Amos, John Wilson, Kirsty Clayton, Una Tarr, Graham Rielly, Derek Fellows, Janê Moss, Emily Scholtz, Doreen Pons, Alex Hope-Bailie, Megan Grundling, Lisa Rose Downer, Wade Elliott, Garnett Westley, Kate Venter, Carol Ford, Dawn Hains, Charles de Bruin, Donne Kolesky, Sanume Esterhuyse.
BUSINESSES enjoying an anniversary at this time of the year are the following and we congratulate them and wish them many more successful times in the future – Kawayan Restaurant (Rosehill Mall), Sunshine Coast Hospice, Sandbar Restaurant, Actron Computers, Kenton Primary School.
WITH last year’s figures in brackets to compare against, the rand was trading at R14.47 to the dollar (R13.48), R19.06 to the Pound (R20.57) and R16.12 to the Euro (R15.20). Gold was trading at $1 314.15 ($1 141.14), Platinum was trading at $1 059.20 ($1 013.00) and Brent Crude Oil at $48.06 per barrel ($48.65).
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, June Hart, Linda Hulley, Val Kilian, Ben Kember, Blake Squires, Llewellyn Wicks, Philly Dell, Myrna Keet, Barbara Tee, Bevan Edwards and Brenda Shelton.
DEEPEST sympathy and special thoughts to the family and friends of Willie Clarence who passed away Sunday August 28. May cherished memories of all the happy times spent together comfort all the family during your bereavement.
CONDOLENCES to the friends and family of Elna du Toit who passed away recently. A celebration of her life is planned at 98 West Beach Drive on September 7 at 5pm, and all are welcome to join in.
OUR heartiest congratulations to all couples who are celebrating another wedding anniversary in the week ahead, especially William and Sue Horn, Paul and Maureen Ramsay, Rudi and Ava Beukes, Dalton and Tracy Phillips, Russell and Joy Geard, Brett and Teia Neil-Boss, Hendrik and Pietie le Roux.
CONGRATULATIONS and best wishes for many years of married bliss to Zelder Kritzinger and Martin Neethling who tied the knot last weekend.
WELL, it’s been a mixed week on the sporting front. In the MTN 8 competition, Mamelodi Sundowns, Bidvest Wits, Chippa United and new boys Cape Town City are all through to the semi-finals. The Springboks were shown up last Saturday when the lost against the Argentinian Pumas 26-24 in Argentina. This weekend the Boks will face the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Let’s hope they have sorted out their defence by then and come home with a win. And finally, after being rained out of the first test match against New Zealand, the Proteas are on the road to regain their number one test side position with their emphatic win over the Black Caps in the second test played at Centurion.
THOUGHT for the week: “Health is a large word. It embraces not the body only, but the mind and spirit as well”.
BEST regards as always,
The Team.
