Grade 6 and 7 learners at Hoërskool Zwartberg who study English (First Language) were given an assignment during the Olive Festival: interview people at the Festival and write up a report. Below you can read for yourselves their interesting and varied approach to the task.
Olive Festival 2009
I went and did research about the Olive Festival and found out interesting things.
Two out of three said they heard about it from friends, one read about it in the Prince Albert Friend, two said they will come again definitely and one said maybe.
What do they want at the Olive Festival? More live shows by local artists, more fresh produce from the area and more stalls with art and ceramics. How far did they drive to come to the Festival? 400km, 1100km and 90km.
Wow! Hope the next Olive Festival will be just as good.
Anri de Wit (12), Gr 6
Our Food Stall - A Good Cause
I interviewed my Mom about the school’s stall and found out that the school has got good teachers but the school doesn’t get enough school fees to pay their salaries so they have to work hard raising funds.
This year’s Olive Festival worked quite smoothly. Everything wasn’t so rushed so in a way it was better then previous festivals. They made just a little bit less profit this year because there were less people. They ran a food stall because food is a necessity and not just a luxury, so everybody has to eat, even if they have very little money.
Oscar Maeyer (12), Gr 6
Hendrik Mostert – the witblits tamer
During the Olive Festival I had an interview with Hendrik Mostert, known as Oom Hendrik Hoed. He told me he was a child from The Hell and his father and grandfather taught him to make witblits. He is already 66 years old and he is still making witblits.
He had very interesting stories to tell me and one of them is if they are finished distilling the witblits the percentage of alcohol is 60% but they have to make it lower because they may not sell it if it is over 43% alcohol. Oom Hendrik also told me that his son will go on making witblits in the future.
Renaldo Tolken (13), Gr 7
GHOST WALK GUIDE
Looking for something mysterious or exciting this Olive Festival! Well this is perfect for you. Ailsa Tudhope, the Ghost Walk guide, can tell you all sorts of ghost stories in Prince Albert. Most of the ghosts are friendly so bring your children along. They’ll enjoy it just as much as you will. CALL her any time, any day but most important: CALL her please! It’s amazing!
Ismari Le Grange (12), Gr 6
Thumbs Up for Kredouw Olives
We know they sell some of the best olives in Prince Albert, but what do we know about Anthony Mullins on Kredouw olive farm?
I did an interview with him during the Olive Festival to give Prince Albert a better chance to get to know him.
Anthony’s favourite olive product is spread. He assures us that they try to make the best product by tasting them first. The secret to Kredouw Olives is that they use three steps which are: (1) they make sure it is a good firm olive; (2) use different recipes to see which one works the best; (3) taste the product to make sure it’s the best ever.
These steps from olives on the branch to bottles happen in the olive press room. Anthony used to work on an ostrich farm and decided to take a break and the olive job was available. They would like to say thanks to the local people for being such good supporters.
If you are interested in buying olives from them, you can buy them at the market on Saturdays where they sell other products too. Go and support them!
Eloise Gouws (13), Gr 7
The Best Meals in Town!
I visited the Hoërskool Zwartberg’s kiosk at the corner of the main street (Church St) and local market next to the Museum opposite Seven Arches.
It was open from 8am Friday the 1st of May until 10pm Saturday the 2nd May.
We offered a healthy breakfast from 8 – 10am and local produce, lamb and roosterkoek. At the best prices in town. Thanks for supporting us! It’s for a good cause.
Izak Vorster (12), Gr 6
The Fransie Pienaar Museum
The 35-year old Fransie Pienaar Museum in Prince Albert has many things inside, like the history of the people of Prince Albert and the town itself; the first loan-farmer, Mr de Beer, the 1000 claims during the gold rush, household items and furniture dating back to 1800. The history of Rooikamp and the forced removals to Noord End are all on exhibit.
Only four people work at the Museum: the collection manager is Debbie Badenhorst; a cleaning lady and a gardener; the archivist is Lydia Barella. The Museum first opened in 1974. They get two to ten visitors per day. Debbie Badenhorst has worked there for four years. I would suggest you to go and visit the Museum.
Lauren Mauritz (13), Gr 7
Good Food, Karoo Style
The Olive Festival of 2009 was held on the 1st and 2nd of May. It was a long weekend so many could attend the Festival. Hoërskool Zwartberg was the top food-stall where everyone could get the best value for his money. The stall was run by 130 people during the weekend. They sold roosterkoek, chops, chips, sausages, breakfast, etc. Everything was in typical Karoo style.
It was a very good fundraiser for the school and boosted its budget. Thanks to everyone who supported the stall!
Nelius Koorts (12), Gr 6
Passion for Paintball
At the Olive Festival I interviewed the guy from the Paintball Game. He was born in Sweden and is now living in George.
Paintball is a passion and he would do it forever if he could. He said it is a dangerous sport but if you stick to the rules, it is not. He sometimes travels a lot.
Louis Nel (12), Gr 6
JAZZART!
Prince Albert had a little dance treat this Olive Festival. JazzArt came to visit! It is the oldest and most successful dance company in South Africa. Fourteen dancers came to dance for us. Spo and Gordon were the people in charge. They do shows in Namibia, Clanwilliam and now also in Prince Albert.
JazzArt was born in the 70s. They perform at the Artscape and Baxter theatres and have been doing street performances for ten years. They made the most of the beautiful stuff for their performance, “The Mermaid of the Karoo.” The people of Prince Albert would like to thank JazzArt for their great performance.
Junaid Griebelaar (13), Gr 7
My Mom, the Fundraiser
My mother assists the school with their fundraising by baking and selling chips on sports days and at the Olive Festival.
She needs about 16 pockets of potatoes, 20 litres of cooking oil, 5 litres of tomato sauce, 1kg of salt and 2 litres of vinegar to bake and sell the chips. She loves doing it because of the enjoyment of the buyers by eating the chips.
André Kleynhans (12), Gr 6
Magical Marimbas
During the Olive Festival, Principia College brought their marimba band. They entertained the people with their fantastic rhythmical music.
The type of music they play is a mixture of Jazz and African music. The instrument they use is called a marimba and is manufactured in Grahamstown. It is handmade. A marimba looks like a xylophone but there is a difference, because a xylophone doesn’t have a sound box like a marimba.
Their spokesman, Michaela Steyn, said that their trainer, Mam du Preez, let them practise during breaks and every Wednesday after school for two hours. Their outfits/uniforms match the African music they play.
I enjoyed their lovely music and hope to see them again in the future.
Zanri Moolman (13), Gr 7
Muscle Cars at the Olive Festival
If you like cars, you should have been there. It was magnificent: V12s, V8s galore. The biggest was the BMW V12. All you heard was cars roaring and tyres spinning. There were more than five and they were awesome.
Francois Mcknight (13) Gr 7
A Jewel between the Stalls
Amongst the stalls, I found a very interesting one. It was called the Honey Jewellery stall. There were handbags, purses, chains, bangles. Everything you could think of! A woman called Amanda du Plessis was working at the Honey stall.
I asked her a few questions and she answered them perfectly. She loved jewellery since birth and liked wearing it because the Egoli stars wear them. Mrs du Plessis was born in Barrydale but married and now lives in Prince Albert with her husband, Corné, son, Hentie and daughter, Yvandré. She thought the Festival could have been better because there were no rides or toys for children and most people were drunk.
The jewellery comes from a factory in Joburg. Mrs du Plessis heard of the Festival at the information centre. Her favourite places are the Prickly Pear (for eating) and Lah-di-dah (with pretty stuff).
Aneske E van Eeden (12), Gr 6
