A WARM welcome to all holidaymakers gracing our fair area. May you have a fabulous holiday and enjoy everything the Sunshine Coast has to offer.
OUR free holiday supplement – the Sunshine Holiday – is available at outlets where Talk of the Town is sold, as well as from the Tourism office, various hotels, B&Bs and guest houses, and of course the TotT office. It is jam-packed with everything happening over the holiday season, as well as important contact numbers and safety tips. Talk of the Town will continue to be published weekly, so to all of you out there, happy holidays!
THERE’S a lot to do in Ndlambe over the holiday season and our vacationers are in for a treat with bands, variety shows, sporting events, markets and a host of other activities. Check out the “Diarise This” section of the newspaper to plan your special and memorable time on the Sunshine Coast this festive season.
DON’T forget that The Campbells, the South African country duo, will be performing at the Fish River Sun Hotel and Country Club on Saturday. The Campbells are known for their upbeat sing-along live shows and music recordings. Cape Town-born brothers Harry and Tony Campbell have sold over a million CDs and DVDs in South Africa, and are guaranteed to bring the house down when they perform their hits at “The Fish”.
DOWN to business, and the best news of the week is that something is being done at the public broadcaster that might see significant changes in the management team as well as their programme offering. On Monday, journalists Krivani Pillay, Lukhanyo Calata, Vuyo Mvoko and Thembeka Gqubule testified about the reign of then chief operating officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng. It was also revealed that one of the journalists received a threatening text message about his role in the inquiry. United Democratic Movement MP Nqabayomzi Kwankwa read the text in parliament: “Traitors protecting your white friends in Parliament who started this, telling lies about your comrades. You are warned, we don’t kill blacks but sit and watch the blood flow.” Today Communications Minister Faith Muthambi had to explain her role at the troubled public broadcaster. What is happening here? Has everyone gone completely mad?
IT was announced that the pass mark for maths has been lowered to 20% to allow Grades 7, 8 and 9 pupils who are not pursuing maths, but rather maths literacy, to move to Grade 10. There are arguments for and against this move, with some arguing that maths as a subject is only applicable to those who pursue science and finance. However, the entire scholastic curriculum must be reviewed if our children need to effectively fail maths in what are possibly the most important formative years of a child’s life. If they can do no better than 20% for maths, it is the system that is at fault, not necessarily the pupils.
CONGRATUL ATIONS and happy birthday greetings to everyone celebrating a special day in the week ahead, especially to Brenda Wansbury, Kevyn Letley, Kerri Stevenson, Bradley Odendaal, Kerry Warren, Justin Hackart, Warwick Heny, Alister Harman, Crystal Pretorius, Heather Samuel, Debra Harris, Karli-Di Owsley, Tony Nelson, ‘Digger’ Garden, Natalie Kaschula, Ingrid Hilpert, Jenny van Rensburg, Deidre Japp, Kelly Ferreira, Grace Phillips-Page, Hendrik le Roux, Ann Ward, Audrey Winterbottom, Christine Haworth, Wilma Graham,Greta Snaith and Bill Hall.
CONGRATULATIONS to all businesses enjoying another anniversary – with wishes for many more successful years ahead. Good luck to Graze by the River (in Van der Riet Street), MR Financial Services, Halyards’ boat cruise Spirit of Adventure, The Black Rock Restaurant and River Wild Safaris and Motor Mate.
THE financial markets are gearing down for the holiday season and, already the American markets have been particularly quiet due to the Thanksgiving holidays and the wind-down for the Christmas holiday season. Brent Crude has steadied out at around $50 per barrel and the Rand has held its own against other sovereign currencies. Still, platinum has fallen quite drastically and seems to be heading back to it’s low of a year ago when it was worth just $840/oz. This is not good news for the platinum mining sector as the cost of mining for the precious metal will soon become unviable and could lead to job losses. With last year’s trading in brackets to compare against, the rand was trading at R13.68 to the dollar $1 162.40 per fine ounce ($1 063.60), platinum at $934.60 per ounce ($840.50) and $55.12 per barrel for Brent crude oil ($37.77).
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 Michael Klaas, Roy Potter, Andrew de Vries, June Hart, Linda Hulley, Dot Fetherstonhaugh, Ben Kember, Blake Squires, Llewellyn Wicks, Malcolm Cock, Philly Dell, Myrna Keet, Barbara Tee, Bevan Edwards, Jonathan Walker and Brenda Shelton.
MAY the peace which comes from memories of love shared comfort Mary Thackwray and the family on the passing of Harry on Wednesday December 7. We are especially thinking of you all during this sad time and extend our love and deepest sympathies. Time takes most sadness away but leaves cherished memories.
IT was with sadness that we learned of the death of Joan Greaves (nee Bradford), beloved wife of the late Ben, who passed away a year ago on December 7. Joan was previously a resident of Settlers Park Retirement Village.
WEDDING anniversary congratulations and every good wish for your continuing happiness to all couples celebrating this special occasion, especially Gavyn and Gwyneth Letley, Frikkie and Nicola Coetzee, Ray and Julie Davidson, Albert and Pat Whitfield, Richard and Mary McGhie, Hans and Tina Hon, Ian and Bettine Hattingh, Sipho and Tando Matthews, Dennis and Moira Stirk, Ruan and Danielle Cannon, Doug and Edie Galpin, Etienne and Ren Mouton, Vernon and Marie Jakins, Justin and Lynda Haller, Mervyn and Trevllyne Woods, Lourens and Elouise Botha, and Harold and Sankie Holt.
THOUGHT for the week: “Happiness comes through doors you didn’t even know you left open”.
BEST regards as always,
The Team
