Neigbourly Notes – 9 February 2017

STRUTTING THEIR STUFF: Stenden Students were at hand to welcome the new intake for the start of the academic year, held at MyPond Hotel recently. From left are Sinaydo Jantjies, Lufezo Jali, Donna Lavengwa, Rumbidzai Makamure and Mathoene Radipere. Picture: ROB KNOWLES

CONGRATULATIONS to Tori Stowe. Not only have her designer mugs made the shelves of Woolworths, but now her bedding depicting Poppy Dog are also on sale at the prestigious retailer. Well done!

CHILD Welfare will hold a morning market twice a month in order to generate much-needed funds for the organisation. Heather Liecher of Child Welfare is requesting that any secondhand items, in good condition, be dropped off at the offices at the station. Items not used directly to assist the children they care for will be sold at the market. Items can also be collected by Child Welfare, by arrangement. A Zimbabwean truck driver got stuck on the R72 as his truck jack-knifed, blocking the lanes on Albany Road and causing a huge traffic jam on Tuesday morning. But that was not the best of it. Returning from the delivery on Tuesday, the driver again jack-knifed, this time while ascending Southwell Road on the other side of town. Once again, traffic was blocked from using the road. Perhaps the saying, “once bitten, twice shy” should be taken more seriously.

DESPITE the unconstitutionality of it all, President Jacob Zuma has mobilised South African National Defence Force soldiers as well as SAPS officers to protect him from any acts of violence that might occur during his State Of the Nation Address (Sona) tonight. Apparently there are procedures if a guest of parliament (the president is not a member of parliament) requires additional security, and such a request was not made. Perhaps our president (and his advisors) should read the Constitution as this is not the first time they have failed to comply with it. Zuma himself estimated that he has only had eighteen hundred and a thousand, twenty-four and three hundred, seventy and five days . . . to digest its contents.

CHRISTMAS Eve last year seems like a long time ago now, but some 110 children from Alexandria will hold the date and memory of the party they had close to their hearts for a long time to come. The party took place at the home of Teresa Michaels, in Wentzel Park. Michaels, along with her friend Wendy van Rooyen, are care-givers from Huis Dias in Alexandria, and organised a Christmas party for underprivileged children of Wentzel Park. “The children selected were from very poor families who have nothing,” said church member Denise Voogt. Donations received towards the sweets and balloons were given by members of the Alexandria Methodist Church. Christo Pienaar of Savemore in Alexandria arranged a donation of crisps and drinks from Twizza. “We thank everyone who donated to this worthy cause, and hope to do this again next year,” she said.

CONGRATULATIONS and greetings to everyone celebrating a special day in the week ahead. Happy birthday, especially to Hillary Bryant, Graham Pearce, Des Wright, Suzanne Fitchet, Fay Smith, Rowen Loretz, Roy Bowles, Jack Malan, Blessing Nkosi, Melanie Noel, Jenny le Roux, Michelle Swanepoel, Jenny Louw, Harold Bodill, Leonie Fourie, Brandon Wicks, Jeremy Elliott, Megan Walwyn, John-Luke Collyer, Frikkie Coetzee, Marlene Wiese, Eben Groenewald, Jenny Waters, John Forster, Greg Timm, Matt van Eeden, Chelsea van Eeden, Wendy Pieterse, Val Williams, Ashley Bamber, Ryan Heathcote, Sylvia Gwebile, Joy Smith, Hendrik Koekemoer, Sandy Thomas, Rundell Stocks, Mike Neave, Magda Loubser, Edmund Hall, Marilyn Michau, Sally Thompson, Linda Smuts, Gloria Ntombana and Dorothy Boxall.

CONGRATULATIONS to Mike and PeeWee Tomlinson on the arrival of their first grandchild, Charlotte Kalahari, in Plettenberg Bay, on January 31 to their son Shaun and his wife Colleen.

BUSINESS and service organisation anniversary congratulations with wishes for further success for the future to Jumbo Store, The Child Welfare Foster Home Project, 2nd Time Around, The Port Alfred Hospital and Woollgar Attorneys.

CONGRATULATIONS on your 21st milestone business anniversary to The Jewellery Shop in the Heritage Mall. May your business continue to grow from strength to strength.

ALTHOUGH the rand seems to be holding its own against major currencies, we should be aware that the normally volatile markets have been relatively quiet recently and that the stability of the currency is more due to external rather than internal factors. Since US President Donald Trump’s immigration ban was overturned, and with Europe apparently divided, the rand is not really at the top of the list of priorities by foreign investors. With last year’s figures in brackets to compare against, the Rand was trading at R13.45 (R15.84) to the US dollar, R14.32 (R17.83) to the Euro and R16.79 (R22.98) to the British pound. Gold was trading at $1 236.89 ($1 186.15) per fine ounce and platinum was trading at a          $1 006.80 ($925.00), Brent crude was $54.87 ($31.27).

SPECIAL thoughts and prayers are with all those who are not well or are having or have had operations, treatments or tests. “Sterkte” to 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 and Brenda Shelton.

WE were sorry to hear that Ndlambe’s finance director, Howard Dredge, has been taken to hospital with a brain tumour. We wish him all the best and are sure he will be back up on his feet shortly.

WELL done to the Proteas after their ODI series win against Sri Lanka. This puts South Africa in second place to Australia but with the same points (118). Currently SA has played 56 games and Australia 61. If SA beats Sri Lanka in the fifth ODI, they will become No1 outright. Here’s wishing the boys well.

AND big up to Cameroon – the new Africa Cup of Nations champions, who beat Egypt in the final, played at the Stade de L’Amitiein Gabon on Sunday.

THE prophets of Doom are about again, with so-called pastor, Prophet Light Monyeki from Soshanguve in Pretoria feeding his congregants water laced with Rattex. He says it cleanses the soul, and that drinking the highly toxic liquid proves their faith and, apparently, there are plenty of congregants willing to take his word for it. This is similar to the case of (Detective) Lethebo Rabalago from the Mountzion General Assembly in Limpopo who sprayed his followers with Doom in order to rid them of demons. This is essentially a win-win situation as the manufacturers of the poisons make money, the pastors make money and the hospitals where they will be taken will make money and the gene pool strengthens.

WITH romance in the air and the celebration that another year of marriage is lovingly added, it’s congratulations to all couples on their anniversaries. Best wishes for many more great years ahead to Lance and Rose Parker, Warren and Kate Venter, Ken and Margaret Schroder, Andre and Meryl Uys, Vaughn and Carla de la Mare, Terry and Helen Lansdell, Johny and Astrid Sacks and Warren and Lisa Tarr.

TO all romantics – have a wonderful Valentine’s Day. To those who are not (romantics) – enjoy all the special offers provided by the many businesses trying to make the world a more loving place!

THOUGHT for the week: “The greatest healing therapy in life is friendship and love.”

BEST regards as always,
The Team.