WELL, it was the first Royal St Andrews Hotel Easter Festival this past weekend, and what a weekend it was with international, national and local sea-lovers taking the events very seriously and making certain that Port Alfred will be placed firmly in their diaries in anticipation of next year’s competitions. With surfing, bodyboarding, rubber ducks, swimming and kiddies tube racing, professionals and amateurs had an amazing time. At Friday’s opening, co-director of Umcinga Enterprises, that organised the event, Zwelinzima “Sxeaks” Nkwinti said there were no palookas at the event, and that he and his partner Dave Lawson had begun a tradition that should make Port Alfred and Ndlambe in general the mecca of seaside sporting activities for the Eastern Cape. Royal St Andrews Hotel owner Martin Bekker, said he would commit to sponsorship for the next five years.
ANOTHER important event is one taking place today – the Ndlambe Education Expo at the Marselle Sports Field. The last expo took place in November, with hundreds of children gathered to watch the SANDF and police helicopters take off and land at the event, and some lucky children were even taken for a spin. This time there will be delegations from the provincial and local educational departments, the SANDF, schools and a representative from the office of the minister of agriculture. Pupils will learn about life skills, careers and what they need to do in order to be successful in life. Even if you have no kids, this is an event well worth attending. The sight of large army helicopters is enough to draw even adults to the Marselle Sports Field!
AND don’t forget the Talk of the Town/MyPond Hotel quiz which begins tonight at 6.30pm for 7pm at MyPond Hotel. Get your teams of four (at R100 per person) ready to win some fabulous prizes. Snacks are sponsored by Stenden South Africa, and a cash bar is available.
THIS weekend is fairly quiet if compared to the last few weeks that have seen the Bathurst Agricultural Show and the Royal St Andrews Easter Festival taking place. If you live in the Kenton area, why not attend the Shipwreck Talk at House Planner tomorrow night and a Township Tour on Sunday? For more information, contact tourism consultant Esté Franz at the Kenton Tourism Office on (046)648-2411.
ALSO, the Mad Hatters Golf Tournament begins on Monday and runs for six days, culminating with the mother of all parties on Saturday evening April 29. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are regarded as relatively relaxing Better Ball Stableford competitions. The Thursday, Friday and Saturday are Individual Stableford competitions, each being very challenging. There will also be entertainment every evening of the competition, so even non-players can enjoy themselves, including the Beanie Rebels, Joe van der Linden, Dieter Uker and Kerry Hiles. The Badenhorst Dance School will also be performing some choreographed dances. So, get to the Royal Port Alfred Golf Club next week for some great social fun. For more information, contact the club on (046) 624-4796, e-mail royal@rpagc.co.za or go to the website on rpagc.co.za.
THERE’S a big event to be held in Bloemfontein this Saturday, with evangelist Angus Buchan taking centre stage in an effort to discuss and pray for some of the country’s issues. These include farm murders, as well as the direction the country is heading – issues many South Africans have been protesting about during the past two weeks. Social media is also suggesting that President Jacob Zuma might be attending the event. Obviously, he too is worried about the direction the country is taking.
CONGRATULATIONS and happy birthday greetings to everyone enjoying a special day in the week ahead. Best wishes, especially to Michael Cholwich, Lisa Lawson, Mandy Roesstorff, Marianne de Vos, Caroline McIntosh, Anton Wiersma, Gerenique Denston, Daniel Mahloko, Ron Gush, John Zweistra, Willie Adams, Chante Pote, Miliza Rickson, Hazel Peterson, Erna McPherson, Tyler Stevenson, Ric Wilson, Derrick Kleynhans, Kate Beavis, Lana Marais, Jill Japp, Chix Pearson, John Rodgers, Lynette Lambert, Jennifer Cumming, Marielle Ford, Darren Wicks, Adricha Diedericks, Desmond Burger, Donné Brent, Dave Hawkins, Daphne Brownlee, Lee Pearson, twin sisters – Jean Reed and Joan Mould, Sue Simpkins, Edwin Randall, Kyle Hewitt, Pam Nel, Tyler Stevenson, Ginger Naude, Rhodes Tremeer, Shane du Plessis, Moira Hilton-Barber, Danielle Dugard, Claire Hall, Roy Hicks, Erica Janse van Rensburg, Norman Levine, Ronin Beetge, Vanilla Sponneck, Cathy Braans, Tori Stowe, Claire Hall, Lauren Brunette, Grant Marais, Cecile Oosthuizen, Kevin Mileham.
CONTINUED success and congratulations on another anniversary for the following businesses with best wishes and even more success for many years to come to Kwena Air (Wesley Hill), Burksies (overlooking the Duck Pond), Roes Restaurant (in Cannon Rocks), Kowie Vet Clinic (on the corner of Southwell and Atherstone Roads), PA Home Industries.
THE application by the UDM (now joined by the EFF and IFP) to the Constitutional Court to hold a secret ballot on the question of no confidence, and the removal of Zuma from office was heard on Tuesday. At the time of going to press we had not heard the result, and it may still take the ConCourt judges some time to reach a decision. But the fact that a motion such as this could be tabled, is an indication that not all is right in government. If Zuma is removed, then Cyril Ramaphosa will assume the mantle of ANC leader until the NEC holds its elective conference later this year. Ramaphosa will also take over as president until the general elections in 2019, unless the ANC decides otherwise and makes alternative plans. Whether this will alleviate the financial crisis South Africa is facing, is questionable – Ramaphosa being one of the ministers who allowed Zuma to make his fauxpas. With last year’s figures in brackets to compare against, the rand was trading at R13.30 to the dollar (R14.28) R17.09 to the pound (R20.53) and R14.27 to the euro (R16.24). On the commodities scene, Gold is $1 283.33 per fine ounce ($1247.94), platinum is trading at $980.30 ($991.60) and Brent crude oil at $55.14 ($43.17) per barrel.
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, Dot Fetherstonhaugh, Ben Kember, Myrna Keet, Barbara Tee, Brenda Shelton. OUR heartfelt commiseration to the family of Correen Margaret Gie who passed away peacefully on Monday April 17. She will be sadly missed by husband, John, children – son Bruce (and wife, Nicola) and daughter Kathy (and husband, Malcolm) – and her grandchildren – Camryn and Oliver. Her funeral at the Port Alfred Wesley Methodist Church will take place at 11am on Friday April 21. Correen was always ready to give advice and a word of encouragement to all, and will be remembered for her quirky sense of humour and generous spirit.
WE were sorry to hear of the death on Easter Saturday of Ian Mackinnon Morten, loved and honoured husband of Pepe, father of Eiona and Wayne and Hamish and Cristi and grandfather of Andrew, Patrick, Cuan and Declan.
BEST wishes and congratulations to other couples also celebrating an anniversary at this time, especially Sai and Brunette Pieterse, Kevin and Gwen Bode, Christopher and Hilda Green, Nigel and Joy Coster, Malcolm and Shirley Cock, Nicole and Aiden Norden.
THOUGHT for the week: “All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them”.
BEST regards as always,
The Team
