Sunday, August 30, 2009

Swartrivier: ‘n Nuwe Era


- Miems Theron -

Die bakkies en vragmotors, stoet stadig verby op die stofpad voor ons huis. Hulle kreun onder die swaar vrag, hoog gelaai. Hulle ry weg van ons plaas. Hulle ry weg met ons hartsgoed. Die bod op hulle toegeslaan. Wettig gekoop.

Ek hou begrafnis van die plaas Swart-rivier. ‘n Lewe van 30 jaar word finaal uit jou uit geruk. Nooit weer sal ek indraai by die plaashek en veilig, afgesonder en geborge voel nie. Geskans teen die buitewêreld. Nooit weer sal die sterre so helder skyn, die stilte so werklik wees as op Swartrivier nie. Nooit weer sal ek snags die rivier hoor bruis na die reën en die windpomp hoor knars in die tuin nie. As die veld tog net leliker en droër was sou die afskeid makliker gewees het. Nou lyk dit soos ‘n tapyt - die groene wedywer met mekaar.

Dis Woensdag 29 Julie 2009. ‘n Datum wat ingemessel is in my brein. ‘n Datum wat ek nooit sal vergeet nie.

Die rygoed stroom in om betyds te wees vir die veiling wat elfuur begin. Hulle parkeer oral op die werf. Ek klim op die koppie en neem ‘n paar foto’s en sommer ook om afstand te kry. My oudste meisiekind, Erina en haar twee kleuters, is ook daar. Ons loop Oupa Nelie (72 ) en “ant” Makkie (74) raak. Hulle is al meer as 30 jaar in ons diens.

“Ja ou Kerneels,” sê my dogter. “Wat sê jy nou?” “Auk Nonnatjie”, sê hy. “Dis ‘n verkeerde ding dié. Hoekom bêre jou pa nie die plaas vir jou klein seuntjies nie. Hulle kan mos eendag hier kom boer.” Ek sluk en kyk oor die plaas heen. Here, prewel ek, wat doen ons aan ons kinders en kleinkinders? Ek kry my driejarige kleinseun nie weg van die skape nie. Hy klim op die trekker en ry brrm,brmm.

Die skape word gelaai op die vragmotors. Hulle is halsstarrig en word geforseer van agter af.

Zander sê: “Ouma, die skapies wil nie op die lorrie nie, nê ouma, nê. Hoekom wil hulle dan nie gaan nie, ouma?” Wel, dink ek by myself, tenminste het ons-ek en die skape- een ding in gemeen. Nie een van ons wil weg van die plaas nie.

My Engelse vriende sê: “Why are you so sad? Today is the beginning of a new life for you!” Verseker is dit so. Ek is nou amptelik ‘n dorpenaar en sal moet vrede maak met dié feit - muskiete ten spyt. Ek troos myself. Ten minste hoef ek nie meer dorp toe te jaag om kruideniersware te gaan koop nie. Ons hoef nie meer op ‘n Sondag kerk toe te jaag sodat ek betyds voor die orrel kan stelling inneem nie. Die plante in my tuin floreer op die vars water. Iets wat’n luukse is vir my, komende van’n brakwater-plaas.

In 1976 is die plaas Sandvlakte gekoop van tannie Anna van Onselen. Ons verhuis van Bethlehem na Beaufort-Wes waar Pieter by ‘n Ouditeursfirma werk en ‘n naweekboer word. Elke naweek word drade gespan en kampe gemaak. Ons verhuis amptelik in 1977 na die plaas (sonder elektrisiteit en water in die huis) om voltyds te boer. Die plase Katrivier en Swartrivier word bygekoop. Ons bou in 1988 ‘n nuwe huis op Swartrivier en verhuis soontoe.

Na 30 jaar in die boerdery besluit Pieter om af te skaal en verkoop Sandvlakte in 2006 aan Pierre Volschenken Katrivier aan 2 Maansgroepe in 2007.

Vroeg in 2008 stel Departement Grondsake belang om Swartrivier te koop as deel van Grondhervorming. Hierdie transaksie wat uiteindelik in Julie 2009 gefinaliseer word, was ‘n groot toets vir ons geduld wat vir agtien maande tot die uiterste toe beproef is.

Nooit weer moet daar gesê word dat die boere onwillig is om grond te verkoop aan die Staat vir grondhervorming nie. Die onbevoegdheid van amptenare en rompslomp van die staatsdiens is die oorsaak dat grondhervorming nie sy beoogde teiken haal nie.

Ons het ‘n legio van verskonings aangehoor wat die transaksie so lank vertraag het: Die persoon wat die saak hanteer is op verlof; daar was nie ‘n kworum vir vergaderings nie- so besluite kon nie geneem word nie; vergaderings is gereeld uitgestel, omdat nagelaat is om sodanige kennis te gee; geen vordering kon gemaak word nie, want al die personeellede is weg Kaap toe vir spanbou ens.

Uiteindelik word onderhandelinge Oktober 2008 hervat. Net toe ons dink nou is dit afgehandel, word daar ‘n moratorium op die koop van die plaas geplaas omdat daar nie meer geld is nie! Derhalwe moet die koop oorstaan vir die volgende begrotingsjaar (April 2009- Maart 2010).

Uiteindelik na baie navrae, word daar in Junie 2009 ‘n staatswaarborg uitgereik en kan die koop deurgaan. So gebeur dit dat die plaas op 1 Julie 2009 oorgedra word aan die Staat of te wel Departement Grondsake. Ons prokureer dien die staatswaarborg in vir betaling net om te hoor daar is nie geld om die koop deur te haak nie!

Dis nogal ‘n vreesaanjaende en benarde posisie om in te wees, om nie meer die plaas of die geld te hê nie! Gelukkig het ons prokureer dit bewerkstellig dat die geld binne 48 uur oorbetaal is. Ons moes binne 30 dae die plaas ontruim - vandaar die veiling op 29 Julie toe al die losgoed verkoop is.

Wat nogal ontstellend was, is dat die beampte van Grondsake wat in Beaufort-Wes gesetel is, opdrag gegee, dat die twee gesinne wat minder as 5 jaar daar werk die plaas moet ontruim! Gelukkig kan Oom Kerneels en “ant” Makkie wat al 32 jaar in ons diens is, aanbly.

Twaalf gelukkige kleinboere, almal van Prince Albert, gaan vir die volgende drie jaar die plaas van die staat huur teen 6% van die gemiddelde huur, waarna die plaas aan hulle oorgedra sal word, indien hulle suksesvolle boere is. Ons wens hulle net voorspoed en sukses toe met die boerdery en hoop dat die plaas hulle net so goed sal behandel as wat dit ons behandel het. Pieter is ook bereid om as mentor op te tree indien hulle raad sou nodig hê.

SoetKaroo proves “Local is Lekker!”

In 1841 Mr Combrinck built his house at what is today Herman & Susan Perold’s leiwatererf in Kerkstraat. His land comprised 14 morgen and apart from other fruit, he cultivated grapes for making brandy and wine.

One and a half centuries later, Herman planted a small vineyard on the much smaller piece of land. This is the spot that was recently honoured for the good quality wine produced there. To the Perolds’ delight, their SoetKaroo Red Muscat d’Alexandrie 2008 (Red Hanepoot) was judged Top National Red Muscat d’Alexandrie at the Fourth SA Terroir Awards Competition.

The South African Terroir Wine Awards competition is held annually to acknow-ledge wines that best reflect the terroir in which they are produced. “Terroir” refers to the physical attributes of the terrain where wine grapes are grown, such as the soil, water and climate. These factors have a very distinct effect on the wine produced - thus the importance of planting cultivars suited to a specific environment.

The competition is somewhat exclusive, as only wines from single vineyards, estates or specific wards can participate. SoetKaroo qualified to enter the competition as it’s a registered Wine Estate - a unit where grapes are grown, wine made and bottled. The wines were tasted blind and rated by a panel of five judges.

At the award ceremony, Marius Labuschagne, the Terroir project leader said “There are only two red Muscat d’Alexandrie wines in South Africa and the judges insisted that this wine must be awarded for its uniqueness and high quality”. This is the first time a Muscat d’Alexandrie was distinguished in this way, and also a first for the unit geographically furthest North East of the Cape winelands to receive an award.

My Christelike Perspektief

- Jeanette de Lange -

Matt 5: 11-12 en 16-18

In 1889 ontwerp ‘n argitek ‘n struktuur om ‘n internationale skou en veroorsaak ‘n opskudding en ‘n golf van teenkanting. Die publiek wou die monster-ontwerp weg hê maar die argitek het geglo in homself en sy werk.

Vandag, 2009 weet ons van Alexandre Gustave Eiffel en die Eiffeltoring in Parys, Frankryk.

Martin Luther spyker sy leerstellings teen ‘n kerkdeur en vandag, 2009, is sy leerstellings nog relevant.
Daar was nog so ‘n man wat ‘n beroering veroorsaak het en nog steeds golwe van weerspreking veroorsaak: Jesus Christus. Die ‘Kerk’ het die voortou geneem maar gelowe en geleerdes twis en skel nog steeds.

Jesus se leer is nog steeds in 2009 ‘n steen des aanstoots, leuens, ou vrou-stories en radikaal onaanvaarbaar. Maar sy volgelinge weet van sy leerstellinge, sy wonderwerke en glo in sy boustene. Hy weet en ons weet waarop ons gebou word, dws die Rots, die Hoeksteen, die Deur...

Glo jy?

Briewe / Letters

Thanks to all my PA friends

May I take this opportunity to thank the ladies of the Thursday Group for their hearty welcome and get well wishes on returning from Groote Schuur after my successful major coronary operation.

Very special thanks to Pieter and Suzelle Koorts for taking me to Groote Schuur and staying with me, supporting and nursing me, until I could come back to Prince Albert. Surely God will bless them for the great love and unselfish sacrifice they gave me.

So many times in my life I have walked through dark valleys facing and looking at death squarely in the eyes, but the loving hand of God was always there to pull me out.
If everybody on earth denies the presence of a loving God, but for me, admitting being a great sinner, He will always be real because I can feel His deep love for me in my heart.

Reinwald Dedekind

Keep it up, PA Primêr

I have been an enthusiastic reader of the Friend since moving to Prince Albert seven-and-a-half years ago and am delighted that the newspaper is once again carrying news of all that is happening at Prince Albert Primêr.

For a time, a visitor to this town would have been forgiven for believing that Hoërskool Zwartberg was the only school in town. Well done to all the teachers and pupils, who participate in the school’s activities and sporting events and who also take the time to write about them and keep us both informed and entertained.

Dawn Viljoen

Our First-Rate Post Office

Prince Albert should be proud of its Post Office. For not only can it deliver a letter when the address given is incorrect - but it can deliver when the recipient is well, a bitch...

At the beginning of August, my German shepherd dog, Sophie, who has chased almost every car in Prince Albert and retrieved almost every tortoise (gently) at Waterkop, received a letter addressed to her by her registered name Jasmine of Cadeau (with the sketch of a dog on the envelope and containing her pedigree papers). She hasn't read it yet - but one wonders what the postman thought?

Well done, the Post Office!

Cas St Leger

Gemeentefees Word Gemeenskapsfees


Ons Kerkbasaar was ‘n groot sukses en het ons verwagtinge oortref danksy die gemeenskapslojaliteit en goeie beplanning.

Ons doel was om ‘n feestelike atmosfeer te skep en die gunstige landboutoestande, reklame, die langnaweek en ideale weer het baie gehelp. Sonder die dames se bakvernuf en toewyding, die mans se spyseniering en die gaste se ondersteuning kon die fees nie slaag nie

‘n Spesiale dank ook aan die sangers wat ons luisterryk vermaak het, die jeugwerkers wat ons kinders moes trakteer en die kassiere wat tussen vele gepraat somme moes maak.

Volgende jaar maak ons weer so!

Johan Diedericks

Sterreprag oor die Suide

- Hans Daehne -

In September kan ons volgens die kalender sien dat dit Lente geword het en in die naghemel word dit bevestig deur die prominente verskyning van die sterrebeeld Pegasus bokant ons koppe. Op die aarde verklap die ryk blommeprag en al die bloeisels op ooghoogte dat die dae merkbaar langer geword het.

Pegasus, die Vlieënde Perd, (herinner ons daaraan hoe vinnig die tyd vlieg ) is die dominante noordelike sterrebeeld in September en Oktober en met die Lente dag-en-nag-ewening op die 22st September word dit met reg die Lentesterrebeeld genoem wat ook aandui dat die dae nou langer word as die nagte in die Suidelike Halfrond.

Die yslike Vierkant van Pegasus is maklik om uit te ken aan vier helder sterre wat die romp van die perd voorstel met sy nek uitgestrek na links, na wes. Dit is een van die min noordelike sterrebeelde wat in die regop posisie is vir ons hier in die suidelike halfrond.

Die vinnige planeet Mercurius is tot middel van die maand met die blote oog in die aand sigbaar vanaf Gordonkoppie.
Venus is nog die helder oggendster vir die res van die jaar.

Jupiter is op die oomblik die helderste objek in die aandhemel en is in die sterrebeeld van die Steenbok. Naby Jupiter kan die blouerige Neptunus reeds met `n verkyker opgespoor word, maar makliker met `n "vind en volg" teleskoop .

Nuwe Maan is op die 18de September en Volmaan op die 4de September.

Ons Lente-ewening vind op die 22 ste September plaas.

Nuus van buite die Aarde:

Nadat die pendeltuig Atlantis in Mei die Hubble ruimteteleskoop gevang en suksesvol omvattende herstelwerk uitgevoer het, wag almal nou in spanning hoe die nuwe foto`s uit die ruimte sal lyk.

Een so `n foto het reeds verskyn en dit wys Jupiter met `n groot inploffingsgat wat tweekeer groter is as die oppervlakte van Europa. Wat egter meer skrikwekkend is, is die feit dat daar geen voorafwaarskuwing was oor die voorwerp wat Jupiter op verrassende wyse getref het nie.

Van vlieënde tyd gepraat, dit is net vir ons aardlinge dat tyd so vinnig verbyvlieg. In die heelal speel tyd glad nie so `n belangrike rol nie, die univers het baie tyd en gebeurtenisse in die univers
neem hulle tyd. Ons meting van tyd word deur die aarde se rotasie en die Son bepaal. Wanneer die Son presies bokant ons is, is dit 12:00 middag Sontyd, maar wanneer byvoorbeeld Orion bokant ons is, is dit 6:00 Sterretyd en met Pegasus bokant ons, is dit 24:00 sterretyd.

As jy nie met die 24 ure van `n dag op aarde uitkom nie sal jy op Jupiter en Saturnus met dae van omtrent net 10 ure werklik in tydnood raak en sou die enigste oplossing wees om na Venus te trek waar `n Venusdag langer is as `n Venusjaar.

Die arme bewoners van die Internasionale Ruimtestasie (IRS) se dae is net 90 minute lank (= die omwentelingstyd om die aarde) maar daarvoor kan hulle ook soveel meer sonsopkomste en sonsondergange oor `n ronde aarde waarneem.

Inligting oor die Internasionale Ruimtestasie , wanneer dit sigbaar is en in welke rigting en vir hoe lank dit oor die aandhemel beweeg, is verkrygbaar op die webwerf: www.heavens-above.com

Hou die sterre in u oë !

Brett the Vet - Reflections under a Woolly Sky

London is considered by many to be the most cosmopolitan city in the world today. Multiculturalism ends after less than two hours by train down the Kent coast where the territory remains uncompromisingly British. A summer stint as a locum at a Veterinary Surgery within a huge pet shop the size of a rugby field, situated in an enormous retail park surrounded by strawberry fields, is a startling contrast to the vast Karoo and the mythological English Countryside.

Nature in his wisdom is in a constant state of flux balancing, reorganizing, creating harmony and chaos. Shifting continental plates and weather patterns, tides and ecology reflect the cycles of change and instability on earth. Man is good at disrupting things on every level. Genetic manipulation is a particularly satisfying and devastating pursuit.

Brenda, the British bulldog whose existence epitomizes the gleeful aspirations and horrors of pedigree enthusiasts regularly needs treatment. She was born via caesarean section because her mother's hips were too narrow to allow natural whelping. Two deformed siblings weren't viable outside the womb. Breathing difficulties from a shortened muzzle, squashed nose, and trailing soft palate hinder exertion, temperature regulation, and a peaceful night's sleep. Her overshot jaw protrudes way beyond comfortable or functional occlusion, and she drools. Dry, bulging eyes poorly concealed by distorted lids are susceptible to ulceration. Excessive skin folds fester with painful eczema. Bowed and twisted limbs inhibit any semblance of graceful canine motion. Her gnarled tail that hardly wags presses into her left buttock. She is physically monstrous and has the sweetest personality: Beauty within the Beast. The caring owner claims she represents perfection, meeting all the breed standards; therefore she must produce more of her kind. The stud Bertie, being a model specimen himself, was physically unable to mount Brenda, and after an unsuccessful rape scene, they resorted to AI. Three weeks later her body rejected the foetuses in the form of a life threatening uterine infection. The vet is held accountable for failing to prevent this loss. Meanwhile in the wake of recession, thousands of healthy animals are being abandoned, ending in euthanasia.

Martha the geriatric guinea pig has split a nail. She is not at all herself: she eats less, moves reluctantly, her communicative spirit is dampened, and every now and then she cries in pain. On closer examination there is a crack in the nail of her left pinkie exposing raw flesh and fresh traces of blood. The frayed sensitive nerve endings are alerting her body to protect the finger while the vet reintroduces the concept of time.

The average household in a harbour town in Kent produces three large black bags of refuse every week. On garbage collection day if the trash is not piled on the pavement in front of the house, the resident is probably dead. Recent statistics indicate an alarming increase in the number of single corpses not being detected, sometimes for years. Dwindling shoals of fish in the North Sea have led to the collapse of local fishing industries. Recovery is slow. Environmental destruction, pollution, and global warming contribute to the decline. Seagulls have become a menace, the bane of the local municipality.

Gulls are highly intelligent, communicative survivors. They've discovered the lucky rip packets reveal delectable remains of ready meals. The ship has landed in the suburb due for refuse collection. Gulls are yelling down streets strewn with the stuff of third world dreams. The ubiquitous birds have become fearless, which gets them in to trouble, because just like the rest of us they haven't quite adapted to the modern world with its traps, snares and disregarded bewares. They are hounded, cursed, tortured and beaten. The wounded are considerately boxed and taken 'straight down the vets' to be humanely destroyed.

Gandhi said 'The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated'.

Gebakte vis, lewerkoekies, fudge en sjokoladekoek

- Denise Ohlson -

Spontane vriendelikheid en verskeidenheid is Estelle Marais se wenresep agter haar toonbank by Wimpels Kafee en Take Aways. Behalwe Sondae, maak sy haar deur elke oggend sesuur oop en vyfuur toe. Nee wag, Woensdae en Vrydae sluit sy eers sesuur…

Harde werk is vir haar poeding, en met die bedrewe en kundige Katie Deelman aan haar sy – vir wie niemand vertel van vis bak en vetkoek maak nie – sien sy vir alles kans. Fudge maak, koek bak, boeke doen en huisplanne beraam, is alles deel van haar dag.

Estelle het ‘n lang verbintenis met Prince Albert. Haar ma Pieterien was ‘n nooi De Wit wat in die distrik gebore is en Estelle het as kind graag in die dorp by familie kom kuier. Haar man Wimpie is ook hier gebore en sy eerste werk was as teller by die poskantoor. Toe hy vir verdere opleiding Kaap toe gestuur is, ontmoet hy vir Estelle en dit gee ‘n troustorie af.

Na so dertien jaar in die Kaap verhuis hulle Vosburg toe om hul eie besigheid te begin, waar hulle sewe jaar lank hul Poskantooragentskap en Algemene handelaarsaak bedryf. In Mei 2008 arriveer hulle op Prince Albert om hul wegneemetes te kom bemark.

Terwyl Estelle die kostoonbank “beman”, werk Wimpie vir ‘n oliemaatskappy in Viëtnam. Estelle is dankbaar dat hy in September vir drie weke vakansie huis toe kom. Daarna vertrek hy na die Midde-Ooste waar hy beoog om nog twee jaar lank te werk om hul boufonds te styf, want Estelle begin in Januarie bou aan hul huis... Sy visualiseer al die mooi badkamers.

Ek bekyk die interessante spyskaart en vra wat vir ‘n ding ‘n Gatsby is. “O,” sê Estelle, “as jy nou regtig swaar gewerk het en behoorlik honger is, koop jy ‘n Gatsby. Dis ‘n halwe brood met polonie en tjips en ons spesiale sousie”, en sy knipoog geheimsinnig.

Ek vra ook uit na die portrette teen die mure. “Almal familie,” lê sy uit. “Hier is Wimpie se ouers op hul troudag voor die hotel met die destydse National Garage in die agtergrond, en daar is sy ouma en oupa en hul huis in Gamkaskloof.”

Rika Landman kom koop haar vis in sy “krispie” korsie en sê sy kan dit sommer elke dag eet. Langs haar prys Andalene Kamfer die lewerkoekies en ek besluit om Vrydag die kerrievetkoek te kom uittoets.

Min mense kom Prince Albert toe om hulle ryk te werk. Estelle wil ook net besig bly en goed genoeg doen om gelukkig te wees. Sy wil die mense wat voor haar staan, help en “geniet”.

Gaan kyk maar gerus hoe sy haar in haar gebied uitleef tussen eiesoortige kennisgewings, uitstallings en spreuke teen die mure.

Ruby Wedding Anniversaries and Confirmations

- Ailsa Tudhope -

A Ruby Wedding Anniversary treat of a trip on the Blue Train provided a wonderful opportunity for Lin and Jack Davies to visit Prince Albert. After their luxurious experience they hired a car in Cape Town and came to the village for Lin to do some family research. Last month’s Prince Albert Friend featured a story by Lin’s dad Terence Baillie: Of Bees and Baboons. Terence lived here in the 1920’s with his Ouma Isabella van der Hoven.

Margrieta Engelbrecht at the NG Kerkkantoor was able to find Isabella’s confirmation records from 1911 and to give Lin some information about Rosendal, the family farm. The Davies also spent time in the NG Kerk, where Terence’s father’s funeral was held all those years ago.
They were able to buy a copy of the Friend, just collated and folded, as they left for Cape Town and their trip back to Johannesburg and have since had six more copies posted to them for all the family. We look forward to their future visits to Prince Albert.

Die tweede huwelikherdenkingspaar is Kallie en Kathy Carelse wat op 26 September 1969 getroud is deur Vader Coe in St John’s Kerk. Gedurende Julie was die egpaar hier in Prince Albert om die bevestiging by te woon en hulle het blomme vir die diens gegee uit dankbaarheid vir hulle veertig jaar huweliksgeluk en die baie seëninge wat die Here vir hulle gegee het.

Kallie het vir Kathy gevra om met hom te trou daar in die kerk en twee van hulle kinders is ook hier gedoop, so St John’s het ’n baie spesiale plek in hulle harte. Al woon hulle nou in Knysna, kom hulle gereeld terug om saam met die St John-gemeente te kuier, en ons sien uit na hulle volgende besoek.

Fakenham Market comes to Prince Albert

- Ailsa Tudhope -

During their latest holiday in England John and Ann Whitton enjoyed a visit to Fakenham in Norfolk with their friends Rod and Moira Spokes. In 1086 the town’s entry in the Domesday Book shows it had only 150 residents. Hempton, on the opposite side of the river, was the larger community and had an abbey that played host to pilgrims on their way to Walsingham. Fakenham became the dominant centre when the abbey was abolished by Henry VIII. It has been a market town since 1250, when it was given a Charter. The stalls probably occupied space around the parish church of St.Peter & St.Paul and Fakenham's modern-day Thursday market is still situated very close to its original position. Its major industry in the 19th and 20th centuries was printing, but the chief printworks (Cox and Wyman) closed in the 1970s. Nevertheless, there are still more than ten small printing firms in industrial premises around and near the town. A large number of printing blocks have been set into the surface of the market place as a memorial to this lost industry.

The market website says that there’s always a bargain to be had at Fakenham Market where the stalls are run by local traders as well as those who 'do the rounds' across the region. So it was that one Thursday morning, as Ann and Moira inspected the many items on display for an auction, they spied a large plastic bag packed with costume jewellery, The contents, though jumbled and tangled, looked intriguing and they mentioned to their menfolk that they might put in a bid, but when the bag came up for auction they were nowhere to be seen, so John and Rod triumphantly carried it home for the grand sum of £18.

Ann and Moira had great fun sorting through the treasure trove, untangling chains, mending broken links and clasps and matching earrings until they had a handsome cache of saleable wares. Ann piled it all into her hand luggage and staggered, heavy laden, onto the plane. Now Fakenham’s Market jewellery can be purchased at the Prince Albert Saturday Market and all the proceeds are going to local charities.

Fakenham Market information from www.fakenhamfarmersmarket.co.uk

Let’s Talk to the Animals

- Cas St Leger -

There is no need to dread the upcoming invasion of Prince Albert’s blood-hungry mosquitoes if animal communicator Anna Breytenbach has anything to do with it.

Chuck out that insect spray that “kills ‘em dead” and instead follow Anna’s recipe of co-habitation through communication. This way, the mosquitoes will respect you – and you might even come to love them. Or not…

Anna, the granddaughter of Prince Albert resident, Renee Finn, told a fascinated audience at a well-attended workshop preview talk held at St John’s Church hall at the beginning of August that it was possible to create a bridge between humans and animals via telepathy. She claims to be able to talk to animals using her natural, thought-control abilities. She says her aim is “to help people maximise their relationships with non-human animals and restore a deep relationship with all of life”.

It was while she was in California that she discovered her link to the animal kingdom through a telepathic insight into the animal mind. While tracking coyote spoor there, she discovered she was able to pinpoint the type of animal and its physical condition.
And the method she teaches is simple: just calm the mind in meditation; visualise the dog or cat or wild creature you wish to communicate with, and “send” the message in a form of telepathic e-mail devoid of internet problems.

In this way, you can persuade those pesky mosquitoes to bite but not itch, a dangerous otter terrorising town to cease its slaughter, or discover what a wild animal experiences. She told her listeners of her close encounter with a troop of wild baboons in the Cape, a dragonfly ride and her love of wolves and cheetahs.

There was no charge for Anna’s afternoon talk and donations by the audience raised R500 towards The Manger, a rehabilitation sanctuary for injured and traumatised baboons near Barrydale. Anna's goal is to become the animals’ voice to raise awareness on personal and spiritual levels. A Reiki practitioner, Anna administers healing to animals.

This modern-day, Cape Town-based Dr Dolittle who attended courses in animal communication at the Assissi International Animal Institute Inc in Oakland, California, offers personal guidance, practice and individual coaching in discovering how animals express themselves and how to send messages; how to improve pets’ behaviour and improve training techniques; how to tell when an animal is ill or injured; how to plug into an animal’s thoughts and life; how to use healing therapy; and how to develop closer relationships with the animals encountered.

A two-day workshop will be run in December in the Prince Albert area. Anna Breytenbach can be contacted on 0721114052 or info@animalspirit.org.

Prince Albert se Speurdiens in Kapteinshande

- Denise Ohlson -

In Desember hierdie jaar vier kaptein Rudi Ferreira sy mondigwording in die polisiediens. Van sy 21 jaar troue diens het hy sowat twee jaar in Merweville gewerk en die res van die tyd het Prince Albert die vrug gepluk van hierdie opregte polisieman se dissipline en ywer.
Sedert die einde van 2005 is hy Bevel-voerder van Speurdiens en tweede in bevel van ons Polisiestasie. Die Speurdiens bestaan uit die bevelvoerder, vyf speurders en een administratiewe beampte. Die eenheid hanteer gemiddeld so vier tot ses inbrake en diefstalsake per maand.

“Dit is ‘n treurige statistiek dat kinders betrokke is by 90% van alle huisbrake,” sê Rudi. “Ons werk nou saam met Maatskaplike Dienste en ander rolspelers om kinders te rehabiliteer.

Daar is verskeie projekte in plek en kampe word aangebied om kinders se energie in positiewe kanale te stuur eerder as dat hulle by negatiewe en kriminele dinge bly vassteek.” Hy wys ook daarop dat ‘n kind, voordat hy hof toe gaan, eers geasseseer moet word.

Motorbotsings, aanranding en veediefstal is sake waarmee die Speurdiens ook gereeld te doen kry. Saakbeskadiging en aanranding kom algemeen voor, veral oor naweke wanneer drankmisbruik ‘n groot rol speel. “Dit is van die grootste belang dat die publiek nie met enigiets peuter wat leidrade kan versteur nie,” waarsku Rudi. “Die Speurdiens kan sy rol aan die gemeenskap soveel flinker vervul as daar duidelike vingerafdrukke en onbelemmerde getuienis op ‘n misdaadtoneel gevind word. Die beste raad is om niks aan te raak nie - wag totdat die polisie opdaag.”

In vergelyking met die res van die land het Prince Albert eintlik ‘n lae misdaadsyfer. Rudi glo dit kan so bly as die publiek sake onmiddelik rapporteer, die polisie bystaan om getuienis in te win en inligting sonder skroom deurgee. “In Prince Albert kon ons nog altyd staatmaak op die samewerking van die gemeenskap. Die inligting van beriggewers help ons baie en ek is trots op die sukses wat ons speurders behaal.”

Rudi is al 14 jaar getroud met Chrisna, ook ‘n polisievrou, en hulle het twee seuns, Ryan (12) en Jean (8). Saam bly hulle gelukkig en gevestig in hul eie huis en bou onverpoosd voort aan hul loopbane in die polisiediens.

Baptiste Kerk doen Evangelisasie in Mosambiek

-Billy van Rooyen -

Tydens die skoolvakansie het ek saam met lede van die Mosselbaaise Baptiste Kerk evangelisasie-werk in Mosambiek gaan doen. Vyftien lede het, op eie onkoste, amper 1900 km gery van Mosselbaai tot in Maputo. Omdat ek nog nooit daar was nie, het ek nie geweet wat om te verwag nie, maar toe die pastoor en sy vrou by ons aankoms ingewillig het om in hul half-klaar kombuis te gaan slaap sodat ons in hul kamer kon bly, het ek besef dat die Here ons na besonderse mense gelei het. Kommunikasie is’ n probleem, omdat meeste van die mense Portugees praat, maar tolke het ons gehelp, al het dit beteken dat ons nie deur-tot-deur evangelisasiewerk kon doen nie.

Ons eerste kerkdiens in hul half-geboude kerk het my so aan ons eie kerk hier in Prince Albert herinner. Die struktuur is nog nie klaar gebou nie, maar hul ywer om die Here te dien is so groot, dat hulle reeds dienste hou.
Ons kla tog so maklik oor alles, maar die besoek het my laat stil word en met ‘n hart van dankbaarheid het ek my seëninge een vir een begin tel. Hoe geseënd is ons in Prince Albert! Ja, daar is goed wat moet en kan verbeter, maar in vergelyking met die mense in Mosambiek kan ons net op ons knieë sak en sê: Dankie Here, dankie vir ons teerstrate, dankie vir ons skole en onderrig, dankie vir ons behuising, dankie vir ons publieke vervoer, dankie vir ons maatskaplike diensteen werksomstandighede. Dankie vir alles wat ons hier in Prince Albert het. Huise, sonder hoë baksteen heinings, waar ons nog ons bure kan sien en groet.

Met nuwe deernis in my hart het ek ervaar hoe die mense van Mosambiek, al kry hulle hoe swaar, die Here dien . Ek sien uit na ‘n opvolg besoek. Dit is my gebed dat die Here my sal gebruik om deur gemeenskapsdiens en betrokkenheid, Sy Woord aan so veel moontlik mense bekend te maak.

HADASSA in Prince Albert

- Jacolise Botes -

As mens die verhaal van Ester in die Bybel lees, leer jy hoe sy en ander meisies in opdrag van die koning voorberei is vir die spesifieke taak aan hulle. En dat hulle simbolies `n mantel ontvang het om te sê dat hulle uitgekies en toegerus is.

Ester is in die Joodse taal ‘Hadassa’ genoem, vandaar die naam Hadassa. Hierdie 2-dag vrouekonferensie word sedert 2006 landswyd aangebied deur fasiliteerders van die NG Gemeente Moreletapark en die gewildheid neem elke jaar toe.

Blye nuus is dat Prince Albert ook die voorreg kry om op 11 en 12 September 2009 `n Hadassa te hou! Met `n spanpoging van`n groot verskeidenheid dames in ons gemeente, gaan ons die geleentheid skep waar honderde vroue saam gaan optrek om die Here se teenwoordigheid en seën in hul lewens te bevestig. Dit word interkerklik gehou, sodat elkeen deel kan hê aan hierdie groot gebeurtenis en word met behulp van DVD op grootskerm tegnologie aangebied.

Die Vrouediens het reeds die NG Kerksaal bespreek en die kaartjies moet vooraf gekoop word by die Kerkkantoor. Dit kos R200 per persoon en die registrasies is vanaf 16h30 sodat die program 17h30 kan begin.

`n Span o.l.v. Johanna Luttig gaan sorg vir die voorgeskrewe uitstallings wat kenmerkend is van so `n Hadassa. Dit neem die vorm van `n roete aan wat jy kan deurgaan en telkens `n spesifieke boodskap raakloop. ‘n Heerlike program gaan sorg dat die ure vinnig verby gaan en Innes Benade en sy vrou gaan die sangleiding waarneem.

Daar is reeds groot belangstelling van besoekers vanaf Oudtshoorn, Rietbron, Merweville, Laingsburg, Leeu-Gamka en Beaufort-Wes.

Ons sien uit na `n baie spesiale naweek, opgewonde om ruimte en geleentheid te skep vir die werk van die Heilige Gees!

Klaarstroom VGK Gemeente Hou Basaar

- Jeremy Witts-Hewinson -

Saterdag, 15 Augustus was ‘n groot dag in Klaarstroom: die VGK gemeente hou hul eerste basaar in hul splinternuwe kerkgebou – hulle samel fonse in en vier tegelyk heerlik fees.

Die ware voldoen aan almal se verwagtinge: tradisionele basaar poedings, koeksusters, skaapvleis, koeldranke, terte, muffins, koeke en heerlike hoenderkerrie asook ’n sappige skaapvleis potjie en natuurlik ook ‘n lekkergoedtafel vir kinders van alle ouderdomme.

Die basaarpoeding was weer ‘n treffer en was binne minute uitverkoop, tot groot ontsteltenis van vele!

Mev Sarah Arries, kerkraadslid, sê dat die basaar omtrent R20ingesamel het; dit is alles te danke aan ‘n hele jaar se harde werk en fondsinsamelings. Die kerkraad is dit eens dat die basaar se sukses die direkte produk is van die samewerking van al die lidmate.

Die gemeente sien reeds uit na die volgende basaar – altyd ‘n genotvolle byeenkoms.

Kix staan sterk

- Susan Viljoen -

Kix (Kinders in Christus), vroeër bekend as “Die Kinderkrans”, is ‘n aktiewe jeugbeweging van die NG Kerk - maar alle kinders uit énige kerkverband (van voorskool tot graad 7) - is welkom om elke Woensdagmiddag van 3.30 tot so 4.15 in die NG Kerksaal bymekaar te kom vir die program van die dag. Leidsters sorg vir saamsing, saamspeel en gee aandag aan verjaarsdae. ‘n Geestelike lessie wat met ‘n praktiese aktiwiteit geïllustreer word., word dan aangebied. Ons bedien tussen 30 en 70 kinders op ‘n keer.

Elke jaar is daar ‘n deurlopende tema wat deur die Sinode voorgestel word. Vanjaar val die klem op die agt kleuterskole van die Malingunde omgewing in Malawi. Hier word kleuters besig gehou deur onopgeleide “onderwysers” en apparaat is ‘n reuse probleem. Kix gee ook ‘n bydrae vir hierdie kleuterskole. Die geld wat Prins Albert se Kix insamel, is toegeken aan die Mbendera kleuterskool.

‘n Paar entoesiastiese persone onder leiding van ds. Gielie Loubser, Sinodale predikant vir jeugbediening van die NG Kerk, gaan die kleuterskole gedurende 2010 besoek.. Hulle neem apparaat saam, gaan help met opleiding, en gaan die geld wat deur Kix ingesamel is, oorhandig.

Dit is wonderlik om te ervaar hoe ons mense spontaan saamwerk, bydra en ondersteun. Die volgende mense is tans bereid om hul tyd te gee en ons is bevoorreg om Amelia le Grange, Hannetjie Gouws, Annetjie Botes en Kobus Fourie te bedank vir hul entoesiasme en die goeie werk wat hulle vir Kix doen.

Tydens die pas afgelope basaar het Kix hul poppekas Maatjies in die kerksaal opgevoer. Sestig kinders het saam met hul ouers, oumas en oupas, die verhaal van Frikkie (Diederik le Grange), Apie (Amelia le Grange) en Wilmien (Annelien de Wit) met oorgawe geniet. Teen R2 per persoon, was dit die absolute winskoop van die basaar!

Celebrity Chef, Reza Mahammad: “I Love Prince Albert”

Celebrity chef, Reza Mahammad, won himself more fans and endeared himself to many locals during his recent weekend in Prince Albert where he was hosted by African Relish.

Reza chatted to and charmed stallholders and shoppers at the Saturday morning market and later the same afternoon, joined rugby fans in shouting “Go Bokke!” at the Bush Pub during the televised second Tri-Nations test against the All Blacks.

He also amused Dr Reinders’ patients – and his farmyard animals – with his whoops of delight at the rich pickings he found in the doctor’s vegetable garden.

Reza promised to return to Prince Albert next year again to hold a workshop with African Relish, saying: “This is a special town with a wonderful atmosphere. I love the strong sense of community.”

Klaarstroom’s Anglican’s start Church Restoration

- Jeremy Witts-Hewinson -

Spurred on by an offer of a donation by an anonymous donor, the small congregation of The Good Shepherd Anglican Church in Klaarstroom decided to start with a project paid for from their own funds. The little bell tower that stood half-finished for decades was ideal.

Years ago, a start was made and the bell hung, but funds ran out and it was never completed. At one stage the precariously balanced bell fell whilst in full swing, injuring the verger – the father-in-law of current chapel warden, Rose Booysen.

Booysen Snr has long since passed away and it has been left to his son, Kristo Booysen, a congregant and local builder, to re-build the tower. The project acquired the name “Klein Begin”, being the start of a much bigger venture.

The little ‘mock roof’ was completed by a congregant and hoisted up one afternoon with the help of a couple of passers-by who must have thought, “These Anglicans are crazy!” Now Alfred Wildschut, the current verger, rings the bell with as much faith, but a little more confidence one would imagine, than his predecessors - calling the faithful to the Eucharist every second Sunday of the month.

Plans are now afoot to complete the boundary wall – also an unfinished project – and erect a handsome set of gates that stood, until recently, at the entrance to the Anglican Cathedral in George since the early days of the previous century.
The Good Shepherd is also a significant landmark in the village from an architectural and historical viewpoint. As tiny as it is, it boasts a gallery offering the faithful an almost bird’s-eye view of the priest. Most local historians are aware of the two South African War graves that lie in the churchyard. The church, and what is now the hall across the road, served for generations as the school for the Coloured community until forced from the site by apartheid legislation. Many residents of the village regale stories of their experiences there as pupils.

The Good Shepherd also occupies a special place in cinematographic history when it featured as “Die Raadsaal” in the film edition of Andre’ Brink’s story Kooitjie Emmer – a delightful account of the traumatic transition of the village, Witgatwortlesfontein, to water borne sewerage!

As generous as the offered donation is, the project will need more funds to reach completion.

Any readers interested in making a donation are welcome to contact Fr Peter Minnaar in Oudtshoorn (044 272 7523) or Jeremy Witts-Hewinson in Klaar-stroom (023 5411474) for more details.

Writers’ Guild Hosts Distinguished Writer

- André Jaquet -

Writing about an accomplished, award-winning author is not easy. After all, he is supposed to be the wordsmith - not me! But try I must because this was a special evening indeed. In August, Eben Venter had our Writers’ Guild audience engrossed when he read extracts from several of his books, spoke about his about-to-be-released novel and then answered questions.

At first glance Eben struck me as a quiet, courteous person with a shy smile. He seemed transformed when he started speaking and especially when he read extracts from three of his books, Foxtrot van die Vleiseters, Ek Stamel Ek Sterwe and Trencherman. The passages he chose from each were distinct and different but all illustrated Eben’s remarkable ability to use images and language to evoke feeling and understanding and atmosphere.

Eben’s simple, unpretentious delivery managed to convey insights that startled by their clarity. From the rapt expression on the faces of those around me I could see that we were not just hearing his words with understanding but that we were feeling the emotions in the messages that he was conveying.

Eben also offered an enticing glimpse of his new novel, Santa Gamka, which goes on sale in October. He divulged something of its plot and characters, revealing that since living in Prince Albert he had compiled a personal dictionary of colloquial words and phrases used by local people.
The circumstances that led this child from an ordinary Karoo family to write are best told in his own words:

“I was born in 1954 in Burgersdorp, Eastern Cape and grew up on a large sheep farm in the district. My father told us stories in front of the fire: ‘On a cold, dark night Hansie and Rosie set out on the back of a little wooden cart. Instead of horses the cart was drawn by two swift hares. Right through the night the hares ran as fast as they could while yellow eyes glared at the poor children.’

I can recall all the koppies and vleis and still know the lay of the land like the palm of my hand. Its landscape and its seasons, my family, the relationships between them and the black people have informed most of my story-telling.

When I read the opening line of Etienne Leroux’s Seven Days at the Silbersteins: ‘The Van Eedens felt it was about time for their only son to marry someone who, in other respects, was worthy of their standing’, I wished that I could write like that one day.” (www.ebenventer.com)


Eben has certainly achieved that goal and more. Three of his novels have been awarded the WA Hofmeyer Prize for best Afrikaans novel of the year. He has been published in Germany and The Netherlands and taught creative writing in Poland and the Czech Republic. Two years ago Eben was writer-in-residence at the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Studies.

Boekenuus

Leila word lig
deur Chanette Paul-Hughes

“En Helen, weet jy nou dat die lig nie van buite af in die hart ingebring kan word nie? Dat die bron binne-in-ons is waar ons diet net moet ontdek. Ontgin. Integreer met die skadu.”

Die verhaal
Leila en Charles de Winter is twintig jaar getroud. Leila voel egter haar huwelik is verby sy “sell by date.” ‘n Doodsberig van die beeldhouer Jerome van Niekerk en ‘n oproep dat hy vir haar ‘n brief nagelaat het, laat haar haar tasse pak om via Nieu-Bethesda na George te reis om antwoorde te probeer kry.

Uit die brief kan sy aflei dat Jerome nie van plan was om selfmoord te pleeg nie. ‘n Besoek aan sy huis en die ontrafeling van beelde wat deur hom geskep is, bring antwoorde.

Temas
Reis: Leila gaan op ‘n uiterlike en innerlike reis wat bevryding bring.

Lig en donker: Die titel dui reeds op die lig/donker kant. Leila is afgelei van die Arabiese woord “laila” wat duisternis of nag beteken.

Elke mens het ‘n lig- en donkerkant. Daar word dan ook op die lig-en skadukant van die karakters (en by implikasie die mens) gefokus.

Mitologie, die Freudiaanse sielkunde, kuns en Outsider-skap speel ‘n belangrike rol om die verhaal en die karakters te verstaan.

Bieg: Deur te bieg verstaan mens beter; kunstenaars deur te verbeeld; skrywers deur die woord; die gewone mens deur te praat. Elke mens het sy eie manier. Die karakters bieg elk op sy eie manier en so kom duidelikheid.
Chanette Paul se navorsing oor Helen Martins (die Uilvrou) en Outa Lappies lewer ‘n waardevolle bydrae tot die verstaan van die verhaal.

Leila word lig boei end-uit en is beide spanning- en liefdesverhaal.

Leila moet nie te lig geskat word nie!

Ronél McKnight

Gallery does its bit

- Linda Jaquet -

The celebration of Women’s Day saw the Prince Albert Gallery host two auctions on the same evening. Apart from its annual and popular “30x40” Auction, now in its sixth year, the Gallery also held an auction to raise funds to help cover Richard Reinders’ medical bills.

Prince Albert’s artists, residents and businesses donated their artworks, crafts and all manner of things generously to be auctioned for the Reinders’ fund and the audience responded in like manner. They raised an amount of just over R12 000.

Earlier in the evening, first-time auctioneer, John Mckenna, persuaded the 100 or so strong crowd to dig deep into their pockets and bid on the 64 unsigned paintings entered in the “30x40” Auction. Part of the thrill of the Auction is not only guessing who produced an artwork but also discovering that you have unwittingly acquired a gem. Shaun van der Walt was determined to buy an oil painting called “New Day” and went on to outbid his competitors. He was overwhelmed to discover that his painting was a work by John de Smit and walked around for the rest of the evening looking like the Cheshire cat!

Neels Coetzee’s “Prince Albert Mountains” received the highest bid by Jan Rabie of R4 800. This was followed closely by Di Mclean’s “Bucket with Tap”, for which John Southern paid R4 100.

A percentage of the funds raised are donated to the art classes at Hoërskool Zwartberg. Artist, Helen Mudge, declined her commission and asked that the monies paid for her painting, The Angel of Mercy Brings the Tea, bought by Denise Ohlson, go directly to the school. Gallery owner, Brent Phillips-White, told the Friend: “We held our first "30x40" Auction to celebrate the first anniversary of the Gallery’s inception; it was such a surprising and resounding success that we've held it every year since then and are overwhelmed at the increasing level of support by both artists and prospective purchasers alike. We intend carrying on what has become an annual project.”

Hoërskool Zwartberg’s art teacher, Di Steyn, was delighted at another successful auction and at the generosity of both the Gallery and the artists, who participated. “As in past years, the donation we receive will go to a specific project that will benefit both the learners and the school,” she said.

Bevestiging by St John’s

- Ailsa Tudhope -

Sondag 26 Julie was ’n feesdag by St John’s Anglikaanse Kerk in Prince Albert. Biskop Donald Harker was hier om vyftien mense te bevestig. Kapelvoogde Eva Marsch en Bertie Nero het die Biskop in die kerk ingelei terwyl die koor en gemeente die eerste gesang sing.

Die koor het gedurende die laaste paar maande baie geoefen sodat hulle tydens die Eucharistiediens kon sing. Baie dankie aan Chrisna Smit wat hulle begelei het met Addington se musiek by die oefensessies en by die diens. Ons hoop om nou gereeld by die Eucharistiediens te sing. Dankie ook aan Klarissa Hinckman, Katrina Koot en die ander Moedersunie-lede wat die smaaklike middagete vir die biskop en ander priesters voorberei het.

Veels geluk aan die bevestigings-kandidate: Jolandi Beukes, Abraham Bobbejee, Carol Cupido, Narin Delport, Pieter Delport, Heizaan Jacobs, Joanene Jaftha, Nathan Maans, Mary-Ann Melanie, Shovan Moos, Janice Lekay, Grant-Lee Wanie, Hendrik Wanie, Beaunice Windvogel, Jeanetha Windvogel. Ons bid dat die Here hul sal seën met Sy hemelse genade sodat hulle vir ewig aan Hom getrou sal wees en dat Sy Heilige Gees daagliks meer en meer in hulle lewe toeneem word

From Timbuktu to the Karoo

- Lorna Verran -

Contrary to the image that an AGM projects, the Cultural Foundation’s annual general meeting on Tuesday, 18th August, was a most lively and enjoyable evening for those who were able to attend.

Judy Maguire, not only chaired a most informative meeting, but also took us on a fascinating journey “Down the Niger to Timbuktu – Mali’s Peoples and Cultures”. Rich with imagery and lively descriptions, her slide-show talk was accompanied by a “show and tell” display of garments, rugs, cloths, beads and other beautifully handcrafted souvenirs which she had purchased from the various ethnic groups she encountered en route. Her slides gave us an insight into a part of West Africa, unfamiliar to most of us, where age-old life-styles still exist untouched and unchanged.

Another treasure was presented by Derek Thomas who exhibited the completion of the Prince Albert Heritage Inventory 2009 – a set of 3 volumes totalling 660 pages, a monumental record of all the town’s buildings 60 years and older. What an achievement! This was the work of BELCOM, a subcommittee of the Cultural Foundation, 20 volunteers led by Derek Thomas. Derek, diligently spent nine months capturing the results of these surveys with photographs, done by the volunteers and recorded them on an electronic database, in colour. The BELCOM group then interpreted all the data and the grading criteria were applied to nearly 300 buildings. This Heritage Inventory 2009 is an update of the Conservancy Survey done by Penny Pistorius in 1995.
Rounding off an invigorating evening, was the PACF’s handing over of its Conservation of Architectural Heritage Award to Kerrigan and Lance Speirs for their restoration of the house at 97 Church St, affectionately known as “Sonneblom”.

Indulging our usual cultural practice of enjoying food and conversation was an apt end to the evening as delicious homemade soups and breads provided were shared. A big thank you to Judy McGuire and her family and to Derek and Christine Thomas for a great evening.

Lastly, and most importantly, congratulations and thanks to Judy for advocating for the Prince Albert Cultural Foundation to become a Registered Conservation Body with Heritage Western Cape.

Ouma Miena bereik haar honderdste jaar

- Linda Fodor -

Toe broer Billy van Rooyen my vertel van Ouma Miena Beukes wat op 1 September 100-jaar jonk word, het ek nie verwag om ‘n tannie te sien wat nog kietspennetjie regop sit en 7de Laan kyk nie.

Ouma Miena hekel, lees haar Bybel, gaan elke Sondag kerk toe en doen nog alles vir haarself. Sy is gebore op Swartrivier, die oudste van vier broers en vier susters.

Ouma Miena het begin werk deur kinders op te pas toe sy skaars in sub A was. Toe sy ouer was, het sy haar dogter Sophia Januarie (nou 73) in die sorg van familie gelaat en sy het Pretoria toe getrek en lank daar gewerk. Haar werkgeefster was ‘n onderwyseres en sy het Ouma Miena leer lees en skryf sodat sy vir haar ouers in Prince Albert briewe kon skryf en geld huis toe stuur.
Na sy ‘n ruk in Cradock gewerk het, het sy terug gekeer Prince Albert toe. Sy en haar oorlede eggenoot, Frans Mienie, het 4 kinders gehad. Hul oudste, Magdalena Boksman, is in 2006 oorlede, maar Sarah Stalmeester, Sabiena Afrika en Elizabeth Mienie en al die kleinkinders, gaan hul moeder en ouma se verjaasrdag met groot blydskap vier.

Biblioteeklootjie ‘n Groot Sukses

- Linda Fodor -

Sulke opgewondenheid op ‘n Maandagoggend...waar anders as by Prince Albert Primêr? Die leerders het doodstil gesit en luister hoe ds Cloete die storie van Klipsop vertel. Dis dan so lekker storie, jy kan hom amper proe!

Blink ogies het gedwaal na die tafel met al die pryse op. Elke kind wat ‘n kaartjie gekoop het, se hartjie het vinniger geklop. Die groot vraag was, "Wie se naam gaan vandag getrek word?" Uiteindelik het mnr Minnaar op meesterlike wyse die gehoor begeester en diename uitgelees. Elke kind wat op die verhoog verskynhet, kon ‘n kegel kies, binne in die kegel was ‘n nommer, die nommer was verbind aan ‘nprys.

Wat sou die prys dan wees? Hampers met kos, die grootste pak tjips ooit, sokkerprente, oorbelle, ‘n egte syserp en nog vele meer kon gewen word. Een na die ander is die pryse opgeraap, totdat almal geneem was. Breë glimlaggies het trots geskyn. Natuurlik kan almal nie pryse wen in ‘n lootjie nie, maar al die leerders wat ‘n kaar-tjie het, het iets gekry!

Mnr Goliath Lottering se graad 8 klas het die meeste lootjies verkoop en elke leerder het ‘n lekker warm mussie ontvang.

Prince Albert Primêr wil graag aan al ons borge baie dankie se, sonder u ondersteuning sou ons nie die vondse kon insamel vir ons biblioteek nie. Dankie aan Prins-Kem Apteek, Die Klerekas, Lah-di-dah, Karoo Slaghuis, Hoofweg Motors BP Garage, Décor St Gery, Maydays, Swartberg Slaghuis, Kredouw Olives, The Tanner and Leather Trader, Prince of Africa, Pep Stores and Imke and Rudi Maeyer.

Die San in Prince Albert

- Renichia Mooneys, Grd 5 -

Op 14 Augustus het al die graad 5 leerders van Prince Alber Primêr die Fransie Pienaar Museum besoek. Ons het daar gaan leer hoe die San geleef het.

Ons het gesien hoe hulle hul skuilings gebou het en hoe hulle gedroogde blomme se poeier gebruik het as verf om rotstekeninge te maak. Die vrouens het ‘n klip met ‘n gat in aan ‘n stok geryg en dit gebruik om wortels uit die grond te grawe. Ons het geleer dat ons ook die natuur moet respekteer en ons goed moet deel met mekaar soos die San gedoen het.

Baie dankie Tannie Debbie, dat u vir ons sulke koel goed gewys het. As jy nog nie by die museum was nie, dan moet jy beslis gaan kyk, as jy so soet is soos ons was, sal Tannie Debbie vir jou ‘n regte egte Boesman boog wys en die snaar van die boog is van katderms gemaak! Gaan kyk maar self as jy my nie glo nie.

Dit is so lekker om in ons nuwe bus te ry en interessante plekke te gaan besoek. Vir meeste van ons maatjies was dit die eerste keer wat hulle die museum besoek het.

Moenie vergeet dat ons op Vrydag 4 September n visbraai by die skool gaan hou nie. Mnr. Rockman gaan die vis braai en almal weet Pappie maak die lekkerste snoek ooit. Kom koop jou kaartjie vir ‘nheerlike snoek en slaai wegneemete vir slegs R30 by Prince Albert Primêr. Al die geld wat ingesamel word betaal vir ons bus.

Grahamstown Festival Revisited and the English Olympiad

- Ailsa Tudhope -

On the 6th of August a crowd of family members and friends settled back in the St John’s Church Hall to watch a presentation about the Grahamstown Arts Festival. Caleb, Abigail, Joshua and Matthew gave their impressions of the twelve shows they saw in an action-packed four days during July. Using a small stage, a ladder, several hats, home-made masks, a couple of crushed coke cans, and some innovative hair decorations, including feathers and a toy bird, the youngsters entertained their audience so well that Bokkie Botha said he’d definitely be going to the Festival next year. Each had written their own script describing a couple of productions and they collaborated in reading White Ant by Herman Charles Bosman and the hilarious Osadia Hairdressing item, which left Caleb with a military mohican incorporating a tank and Joshua sporting the feathers and toy bird! There was time after the performance to view the poster display used as a backdrop.

The evening ended with the presentation of the 2009 English Olympiad Certificates. Congratulations to Matthew and Abigail, who achieved Bronze and Joshua, who received a Silver certificate. All are looking forward to the 2010 Olympiad, which will be based upon a book of short stories.

Thank you to the Mums who brought a pan of soup and bread for the delicious supper which followed.

Skenking van boeke aan Prince Albert Primêr

- Linda Fodor -

Prince Albert Primêr is baie dankbaar vir die boeke wat mnr Pieter de Wit aan ons geskenk het. Mnr De Wit wat al in sy 80’s is, was in Prince Albert gebore en was ‘n leerder by Hoërskool Zwartberg. ‘n Lewenslange liefhebber van boeke, het hy ‘n groot persoonlike biblioteek deur sy lewe opgebou. Nadat hy gehoor het dat ons besig is om ‘n biblioteek op die been te bring, het hy dadelik begin om van sy boeke en ‘n groot Bang en Oluffson bandopnemer op te pak sodat ons dit kan gebruik.

Ons het opgewonde gewag vir die boeke, maar Pretoria is vêr, boeke is swaar en vervoerkoste is baie duur. Amper twee jaar later het Nico Burger van Biddulphs vervoermaatskappy gehoor dat ons hulp nodig het met die vervoer en het hy die boeke gratis vir ons by die skool kom aflewer.

Nogmaals dankie mnr De Wit, u kan versekerd wees dat die leerders van Prince Albert Primêr sommer lekker gaan lees aan die boeke.

Hoërskool Zwartberg maak sy merk in Namibië

- Diana Koorts -

Ses van die skool se karatekas is onderskeidelik opgeneem in die Suid-Afrikaan-se- Wes-Kaap-en Ontwikkelingspan wat die tydperk van 5-9 Augustus in Namibië gaan deelneem het. Namibië het vanjaar sy 30ste bestaansjaar van Goju Ryu karate gevier.

Met groot erns het die leerders baie planne beraam om geld in te samel – want vir so ‘n “uitstappie “ moes elkeen sy hand maar DIEP in sy sak steek. Baie dankie vir elke inwoner wat ‘n bydra gelewer het om dit vir die leerders moontlik te maak.

Hulle het van Stellenbosch af vertrek in drie groot InterCape busse. Na 8ure se reis- het hul hul eindbestemming- Arebusch- Lodge net buite Windhoek bereik. Alles was baie aangenaam en hulle het die “game drive” besonder baie geniet. By die “Lodge” was alles maar baie duur en moes hul fyn beplan om die dollars nie te vinnig te laat rol nie- R20.00 vir net 1.5L water!!

Saterdag was die groot dag en waarvoor almal gewag het- die Kompetisie!! Hoërskool Zwartberg het sy stempel sommer stewig afgedruk en al ses leerders het ‘n plek by die Kompetisie behaal- voorwaar ‘n uitsonderlike prestasie!! Hulle het soos volg presteer:
Pieter Koorts- Kata- Silwer (2de plek)
Nelius Koots- Kata en Gevegkuns- Silver (2de plek), Aneske van Eeden- Kata- Brons (3de plek), Eloise Gous- Kata en Gevegkuns-Brons (3de plek)
Ryan Ferreira- Kata en Gevegkuns- Brons ( 3de plek), Ismari le Grange- Kata (4de plek)

Ons skool is ook besonder trots op twee oud leerders wat ook pragtig presteer het in Namibië. Andrea Gous het ‘n goue medalje verower en eerste gekom in Kata en Gevegkuns en Martin Koorts het ‘n silwer medalje ontvang vir sy Kata en Gevegkuns.

Baie geluk aan Sensei Anchen Gouws met so ‘n pragtige prestasie waar al die karatekas plekke behaal het. Sy verdien sowaar ‘n ektra pluimpie in haar hoed daarvoor.

Alle sterkte met hul voorbereiding vir die Wereldkampioenskappe wat 2010 in Stellenbosch aangebied gaan word.

Spore in die Ryp

- Dirk Visser -

Prince Albert Primêr beleef ‘n besonderse suksesvolle rugbyseisoen. Op Saterdag, 1 Augustus, is daar ‘n "Interskole" tussen Hoërskool Zwartberg en Prince Albert Primêr gehou. Die O/9 spannetjie het ‘n veld aangedurf wat spierwit van die ryp was. Dit was die eerste wedstryd wat die jong mannetjies nog ooit gespeel het en ten spyte van verbete vedediging het hulle 5 driee afgestaan. Die o/11 span het 12-5 gewen en die o/13's het gelykop gespeel, 5-5 in ‘n uiters spannende wedstryd. Dit was regtig pragtig om te sien hoe die twee spanne van die dorp opweeg.

Op Donderdag, 13 Augustus het die 0/9's weer vasgeval, die keer teen Van Rheede. Die 0/11 's het egter hulle goeie vorm behou en Van Rheede 37-0 vermorsel. Prince Albert Primêr se 0/11 en 0/13 spanne het elk slegs een wedstryd die seisoen verloor en werklik sprankel rugby gelewer.

Terence Koot is ook nog in die finale oefengroep vir die SWD 0/12 span. Ons hou duim vas dat hy gekies sal word vir die finale span. Marlow Vries het die afgelope Junie vakansie die SWD laerskole span verteenwoordig. Prince Albert Primêr kan dus voorwaar terug kyk op ‘n puik rugby seisoen.