THE Universities’ Boat Race is on at the Kowie River at the moment, with the finals being contested this Saturday. A total of 40 teams will take to the water and attempt to navigate the sand banks, the sharp corners and the current as they compete for the main title. This year the races will be hosted by Halyards Hotel, together with the Small Boat Harbour Company and, despite the obvious logistical issues of moving the event from the established Ski-boat Club on the othetr bank of the river, it is hoped it will be just as successful. We wish all the rowers the best of luck and remind them of the special prayer service to be held at 10am tomorrow (Friday September 9).
UNIVERSITIES around the country are again in chaos as the #FeeMustFall campaign regains momentum. It is difficult to understand how anyone thinks that burning down university buildings is going to assist with free education. Fortunately, Stenden South Africa is a private institution, so we will not see the same mayhem in Ndlambe as is evident at Rhodes University.
WHILE it might not be local news, the fight between the National Treasury and the Hawks is causing absolute chaos in the markets as investors worry about how safe there money is going to be in such a highly volatile environment. This will affect employment opportunities all over South Africa and, in the vulnerable rural areas like Ndlambe, will prevent potential investors from developing new businesses in the area. This nonsense must stop, or else the entire country will find itself with a growing population with no jobs to offer them.
BEST wishes and birthday greetings to everyone who is having a special day in the week ahead, especially Mason Dell, Taylor Naude, Julia Painting, Jean Atkinson, Rosemary Nelson, Herman Breetzke, Pen Schultz, Nicolas Cock, Timothy Rudman, Elzette Reed, Derryn Willis, Eben Groenewald, RJ Swart, Marion Barnard, Patrick Kenny, Kelly Bradfield, Lionel Wilson, Matthew Neethling, Keith Cunning, Stephanie de Bruin, Heather Tyson, Trish Versfeld, Jordon Faca, twins Natalie and Caroline Ross, Pam Hopper, Clare du Plessis, Colin Wiggett, Ryan Owsley, Lydia Gimbel, Dee Squires, Veronica Mansfield, Alfred Weyer, Corrie Groenewald, Joan Greaves, Helen Emslie, Anne McCreath, Nigel Difford, Val Thorncroft, Tony Versfeld, Lionel Hunt, Jonty Payne, Phindiwe Kuhkana, Jamie Kleinhans, Jenna Rowe, Thabisa Vukuza, Pietie le Roux and Dawn Nelson.
ALL good wishes and congratulations to Noni Wilkinson on her 95th milestone birthday on September 13. May you enjoy many more while enjoying great health, wealth and happiness!
CONGRATULATIONS to Con Kingsley Worrall from St. Andrew’s College, Grahamstown, for winning a study bursary to the value of R15 000 at the CTCA Young Creatives Awards 2016.
BUSINESS anniversary greetings and congratulations for many more years to come to Highway Motors and Buddy’s, Vanessa’s Nail Bar, the Sikhulise Skills Development Programme and Coral Cottages, The Holistic Oak, NF Wood Worx and Bathurst Woodmill.
FIGURES announced by Statistics SA on Tuesday indicate that the South African economy has just avoided a technical recession. Having suffered through a net shrinkage of the economy (euphemistically termed “negative growth”) of 1.2% in the previous quarter, and with an economy battling with drought, strikes and the constant threat of electrical shortages, growth of the economy has certainly slowed down. This news was better than the expected 2.8% growth rate as projected and was boosted slightly by the hiccup when Britain exited the EU, and global currencies fell. However, South Africa is not out of the woods, and international ratings agencies will still be making decisions regarding the possible downgrading of the country’s economy at the end of the year. With last year’s figures in brackets to compare against, the Rand was trading at R14.01 to the Dollar (R13.64), R18.79 to the Pound (R20.95) and R15.77 to the Euro (R15.27), Gold trading at $1 347.72 per fine ounce ($1 121.15), Platinum at $1 099.70 per ounce ($1 004.15) and Brent Crude Oil at $47.78 per barrel ($49.63).
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.
WEDDING anniversary congratulations and continued joy for many more years of happiness together, especially to Fred and Heather Tyson, Dave and Jacqui Parsons, Ian and Erna McPherson, Andrew and Judy Elliott, Rafe and Debbie McKinnon.
CONGRATULATIONS to our local dentist, Dr Natalie Okonski and her husband Carl Wantenaar on being blessed with a precious baby boy, Alexander Sigmund Wantenaar, born August 31
WE were saddened to hear the news that Callie Rademeyer died in a tragic car accident on Sunday close to the Mansfield turnoff on the R67. Commiserations to his family, Susan, Janine, Simone, Eben, Quintis, Mia, Logan and Carter.
SO sorry to hear that well known singer and guitarist of the Silver Creek Mountain Band, JP Fúss, passed away last Monday morning. You will be missed.
WE were sorry to hear of the death of Nan Hanly, mother to eight children, who passed away peacefully last Sunday morning. A church service to be held at St James Catholic Church,
Port Alfred at 10am on Monday September11.
BAD news for all the South African kwaito fans is that Mduduzi Tshabalala, better known as Mandoza, is suffering from a brain tumour, but the great news is that nothing stops the 38-year-old, and he is planning to be performing at the concert at Orlando Stadium this Saturday.
A MEMORIAL service will be held for the late Mary Hechter at the Presyterian Church, Port Alfred, today (Thursday) at 10am.
THOUGHT for the week: “Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul”.
BEST regards as always,
The Team.
