Issues 179 - 189 for 2012

Below you will find links to PDF versions of the Prince Albert Friend. This includes the entire archive of 2012 editions.

Download issue 179 for January 2012 (12.8 MB)
Download issue180 for February 2012 (14.3 MB)
Download issue 181 for March 2012 (14 MB)
Download issue 182 for April 2012 (18.6 MB)
Download issue 183 for May 2012 (17.2 MB)
Download issue 184 for June 2012 (16.6 MB)
Download Issue 185 for July 2012 (16.9 MB)
Download Issue 186 for August 2012 (15 MB)
Download Issue 187 for September 2012 (18.4 MB)
Download Issue 188 for October 2012 (14.1 MB)
Download Issue 189 for November/December 2012 (19.4 MB)

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Issues 168 - 178 for 2011

Issue 168 to 178 of The Prince Albert Friend is now available as a PDF download.

Download Issue 168 - January 2011 (13.6 MB)
Download Issue 169 - February 2011 (11.2 MB)
Download Issue 170 - March 2011 (10.8 MB)
Download Issue 171 - April 2011 (15.6 MB)
Download Issue 172 - May 2011 (13.2 MB)
Download Issue 173 - June 2011 (13.5 MB)
Download Issue 174 - July 2011 (15.2 MB)
Download Issue 175 - August 2011 (14.7 MB)
Download Issue 176 - September 2011 (14.8 MB)
Download Issue 177 - October 2011 (15 MB)
Download Issue 178 - December 2011 (16.3 MB)

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Issue 166 and 167

Issue 166 and 167 of The Prince Albert Friend is now available as a PDF download.
Download Issue 166 - October 2010 (10.7 MB)
Download Issue 167 - November/December 2010 (15.3 MB)
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Issue 165

In this edition / In hierdie Uitgawe:

• Gold for Prince Albert Olives
• Gin Traps: Best practice or brutal killing?
• Ernstige aanval op inwoner
• Dog Training Classes
• Gawie wen weer!

Issue 165 of The Prince Albert Friend is now available as a PDF download.
Download Issue 165 - September 2010 (14.1 MB)
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Uitgawe 165 van die Prince Albert Vriend is nou beskikbaar as 'n PDF.
Laai Uitgawe 165 - September 2010 (14.1 MB) af
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Issue 164

In this edition / In hierdie Uitgawe:

• Prince Albert herwin al twee jaar lank
• All that glitters is not gold
• Basaar mik vir R120 000
• Dairy farmers being 'milked'
• Gordel vas!

Issue 164 of The Prince Albert Friend is now available as a PDF download.
Download Issue 164 - August 2010 (22.5 MB)
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Uitgawe 164 van die Prince Albert Vriend is nou beskikbaar as 'n PDF.
Laai Uitgawe 164 - August 2010 (22.5 MB) af
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Issue 163

In this edition / In hierdie Uitgawe:

• Jason Jaftha blaas die Curriebeker-fluitjie
• A Majic Moonlit Market
• The Sun is shining again on Sonskyn
• Klaarstroom visit produces a pleasant surprise

Issue 163 of The Prince Albert Friend is now available as a PDF download.
Download Issue 163 - July 2010 (24 MB)
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Uitgawe 163 van die Prince Albert Vriend is nou beskikbaar as 'n PDF.
Laai Uitgawe 163 - Julie 2010 (24 MB) af
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Issue 162

In this edition / In hierdie Uitgawe:

• Great success for PA Sterilisation Project
• Growing support for Cultural Foundation
• A right royal Apple
• Biblioteekweek 2010
• The Miracle of Gay's Dairy
• Sokkerkoors

Issue 162 of The Prince Albert Friend is now available as a PDF download.
Download Issue 162 - June 2010 (18.7 MB)
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Uitgawe 162 van die Prince Albert Vriend is nou beskikbaar as 'n PDF.
Laai Uitgawe 162 - Junie 2010 (18.7 MB) af
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Issue 161

In this edition / In hierdie Uitgawe:
Water, waste & Energy
Die Ongesteelde Granaat
Dennehof se Brandewyn
Festival Photos
PA Half Marathon - A firm Favourite

Issue 161 of The Prince Albert Friend is now available as a PDF download.
Download Issue 161 - May 2010 (20.1 MB)
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Uitgawe 161 van die Prince Albert Vriend is nou beskikbaar as 'n PDF.
Laai Uitgawe 161 - Mei 2010 (20.1 MB) af
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Issue 160

In this edition / In hierdie uitgawe:
Local talent in short film
Museum News: A Blits of a Fund-Raiser
Die Stook van Witblits
Recognising True Value...
Great Boost for Our Olive Industry
New water furrow threatens wildlife
And much, much more...

Issue 160 of The Prince Albert Friend is now available as a PDF download.
Download Issue 160 - April 2010 (23.2 MB)
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Uitgawe 160 van die Prince Albert Vriend is nou beskikbaar as 'n PDF.
Laai Uitgawe 160 - April 2010 (23.2 MB) af
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Issue 159

Issue 159 of The Prince Albert Friend is now available as a PDF download.
Download Issue 159 - March 2010 (22.9 MB)
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Uitgawe 157 van die Prince Albert Vriend is nou beskikbaar as 'n PDF.
Laai Uitgawe 159 - Maart 2010 (22.9 MB) af
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Gemeenskapsfees ‘n groot sukses

- Henriette Liebenberg -

Prince Albert se eerste Gemeenskapsfees op 5 en 6 Maart was ‘n groot sukses. Die fees is deur die Munisipaliteit geïnisieer om plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkeling aan te moedig, die gemeenskap bymekaar te kry en om die Burgemeester se Beursfonds vir behoeftige kinders ‘n hupstoot te gee.

Die fokuspunt van die fees, wat by die Odendaal-sportgronde gehou is, was die optog en optrede van die JazzArt Dans-teater. Die legende van die Karoo Watermeid is deur musiek en dans uitgebeeld. Plaaslike kinders van Prince Albert Primêr en Hoërskool Zwartberg is betrek in die optrede. ‘n Jong man in die gehoor het atmosfeer by die fees so opgesom: “Kyk net al hierdie mense! Dis nie net ‘n ‘Coloured’ fees nie. Dis rêrig ‘n gemeenskapfees!”

JazzArt is in Kaapstad gebasseer en is die oudste kontemporêre dansgeselskap in die land. JazzArt se Gordon Andries sê die potensiaal in die dorp is ongelooflik en dat ‘n jongeling volgende jaar gekies gaan word om drie jaar lank opleiding te ontvang. Geen dansagtergrond is nodig nie. Gordon sê JazzArt sal volgende jaar Prince Albert gereeld besoek om danswerkswinkels te hou en dat daar dalk ‘n samewerkingsooreenskoms met die Munisipaliteit gaan wees.

Edwin September, die Munisipaliteit se Gemeenskapsdienste bestuurder, sê ter oordeel aan die Idols- en talentkompetisies is daar heelwat on-ontginde talent in die dorp en dat JazzArt ook daar ‘n rol kan speel. Hy sê daar word gehoop om in samewerking met Die Burger aanstaande jaar ‘n baie bekende kunstenaar by die Gemeenskapsfees te laat optree.

Ander hoogtepunte van die fees was die stalletjies wat op een na almal plaaslik was, die Miss Gay-kompetisie (ja, ‘n “drag queen” kompetisie in Prince Albert waar omtrent gepronk is!) kindervermaak, musiekoptredes deur onder meer SlamJam Music Factory en die kies van Mnr en Mej Gemeenskapsfees. Daar was ook ‘n pretdraf, veteraanmotors, die VGK se blaasorkes, ‘n potjiekoskompetisie en stoepstories deur die stamhoof van die Griekwa Khoi, Poem Mooney, en André Boesak.

Tandekry-probleme was daar wel. Die tydskedule is nie altyd gevolg nie en daar was nie regtig skadu en sitplek vir diegene wat nie lus was vir die biertent nie. September sê ook geen drank gaan volgende keer buite die biertent toegelaat word nie.

Almal met wie die Vriend gepraat het, sê die fees was baie lekker en dat daar beslis volgende jaar weer een moet wees. Kinders veral was gaande oor JazzArt, die springkasteel, die Rodeo-bul en die waterglybaan.

September het dit benadruk dat die Gemeenskapsfees en die Olyffees uiteenlopend van aard is en dat die een nie die ander gaan vervang nie. Hy sê die Munisipaliteit het binne die begro-ting vir die fees gebly. Die geld is onder meer gebruik vir die vervoer en verblyf van mense en kunstenaars van Klaarstroom en Leeu-Gamka af.

Met verwysing na die Beursfonds, het September gesê die inkomste wat daarvoor verkry is uit die stalletjies, kindervermaak en tien persent van die biertent-verkope moet nog bepaal word. Volgens die Munisipale Bestuurder is 12 aansoeke vir beurse tot dusver ontvang, waarvan tien voorlopig goed-gekeur is. Sy sê suksesvolle kandidate sal kontrakte sluit met die Munisipaliteit om die getal jare waarvoor daar geldelike steun was, terug te werk.

‘n Christelike Perspektief

- Jackie Koegelenberg -

Ons almal het ‘n soeke na die Waarheid?

Ons almal honger en dors na onvoorwaardelike liefde…

Ons het ‘n behoefte om iewers te behoort en aanvaar te word...

Soms raak ons probleme te veel en ons weet nie watter kant toe nie...

Ons bou mure om ons om onsself te beskerm en ons vertrou nie maklik ander nie.

John.6 vs 35:
Jesus se: “Ek is die Brood wat Lewe gee. Wie na My toe kom, sal nooit weer honger kry nie, en wie in My glo, sal nooit weer dors kry nie.
Mat 11 vs 28-29:
Jesus sê: Kom na My toe, almal wat uitgeput en oorlaai is, en Ek SAL jul rus en vrede gee.

Neem My juk op julle en leer van My,
want Ek is sagmoedig en nederig van hart, en julle SAL rus kry vir julle gemoed.

Heb 4 vs 7:
Vandag as jy My stem hoor, moenie jou hart verhard nie…

Isaiah: 6 vs1:
He has sent Me (Jesus) to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives and release from darkness the prisoners…

Het jy al vir Jesus ‘n kans gegee in jou lewe?

Briewe / Letters

Dankie, Hennie Boshoff

Ten laaste is daar iemand van die bo-dorp wat reguit kan praat oor sake, wat nie huiwer om te sê dat die koning sonder klere is nie.

Mnr Boshoff se brief praat oor sake waarvan ons almalwat in Noord-Einde bly, weet, maar waarvan die meeste van die res van die dorp nie wil weet nie. Die lewe is swaar vir ons. Ons word gebruik en misbruik.

Ek werk by een van die gastehuise, so moet asb nie my naam gebruik nie.Ek moet ongelukkig anoniem bly, anders is ek sonder werk.

Anoniem

(Die skrywer se identiteit is aan die Vriend bekend.)

Tongue in cheek

I would like to thank Hennie Boshoff for quoting the 11th Century Sufi mystic El Bakr when he said, “Generosity is when you give me more than you have.”

Thanks to the taxman it is with great confidence that I can say I have been generous.

But now that I am retired I have a confession to make – I dream of cappuccinos and apple pie.

George Coutouvidis

History and heritage do matter

Hennie Boschoff finds little good in Prince Albert. is always the way: revolutionaries and champagne socialists who, in the lap of luxury, dressed in designer clothes, black of course, having a chauffeur-driven prestige German car, telling us what we are doing wrong.

I am in fact proud of my Victorian heritage. Victorians knew about things like respect, manners, family values. Look at the state of the world today - drug addicts and prostitutes who have taken over our cities, teenage pregnancies, homosexual marriages. Does progression and advancement have to come at such a high price? We are devoid of culture without our history, so one must ask if our current revolutions are creating sufficient history for our future generations to inherit!

Is it Mr Boschoff’s intention that we all put strange sculptures in our gardens and the grotesque paintings, featured on the front page of The Friend, on our walls?
Surely not!

Anonymous

(The identity of the writer is known to the Friend. As a courtesy we sent Mr Boshoff a copy of this letter. He told us that there was no need to respond.)

Verlaat Prince Albert na 40 Jaar

As inboorling van Prince Albert het dit vir my tyd geword om te groet. Met baie trane maar tog met `n lied in my hart neem ek afskeid.

`n Opregte dankie aan al my vriende. Dankie vir al jul liefde en ondersteuning die afgelope jare. In my tye van hartseer het ek my ware vriende en “ware vrien-de” leer ken, dankie dat jul daar was vir my.

Aan my mede-kollegas by Home Based Care en die Advieskantoor, dankie, ons het lekker saamgewerk die afgelope drie jaar as “ONE BIG FAMILY”, en so ook aan die hospitaal en kliniek.

Aan my Hemelse Vader, dankie dat Hy my elke dag gedra het; sonder Hom was dit onmoontlik. Met Sy hulp en krag kan ek my kop elke dag hoog hou en voortleef.

Ek gaan jul mis, maar daar wag `n nuwe lewe op my.

Ronél Fourie

Chrisna Smit groet Prince Albert

Dit is met groot hartseer dat ek afskeid neem van Prince Albert. Na 12 jaar in hierdie pragtige dorpie met sy baie spesiale mense, is dit baie swaar om tot siens te sê.

Ek wil graag almal bedank wat ‘n inset in my lewe gehad het in hierdie afgelope 12 jaar. Dit is onmoontlik om almal by die naam te noem, maar weet dat ek alles opreg waardeer en dat ek almal baie gaan mis.

Ek wil ook dankie sê aan almal wat gedurende die laaste, moeilike tyd aan ons gedink het in hul gebede. Prince Albert sal altyd ‘n spesiale plek in my hart hê.

Chrisna Smit

Think first of our children

I would like to comment on the school issue that has been going on for some time now.

As it is in any small town, everyone has a say, which in some ways is not positive because sometimes what is said is uninformed, but on the other hand it shows that our community really cares.

When there are issues in any organisation, they need to be raised. And the fact that these issues are in the newspaper shows that they have not been sorted out internally. This is serious, but notpoint of my letter.

Our school has always felt great appreciation for the support it gets from the community. But what with recent goings on, I feel that people might be losing the focus of what the school is all about, namely the children.

I would like to ask people to continue to give of their positive energy, and to show their support, if only for the sake of nearly 370 young learners!

Imke Maeyer

Tortoise already qualifies to join the Thursday Group!

In the article “Give the tortoise a drink” in the Friend (February), the writer states that the tortoise could possibly at a later stage of its life join the Thursday Group, an age of 75 years being suggested.

The Thursday Group, some being old, some really old and some younger, welcome the tortoise irrespective of age, as a member.

We recall the story of the race between the tortoise and the hare. The hare, albeit swift, did not win the race.

We, as members, run the race irrespective of obstacles, age being one and try to achieve what we plan to do, and like the tortoise in the tale, come out as WINNERS thanks to help from so many people.

Our thanks to the writer of the article for remembering the Thursday Group.

A salute to the Prince Albert Police

Two linked cases of housebreaking and theft were investigated and solved within two days by the Prince Albert SAPS, assisted by the forensic team from Beaufort West.

I wish to applaud the investigating team for their speedy response and in particular, Constable Arries, for his meticulous attention to detail and absolute professionalism throughout.

We, as Prince Albert residents, are fortunate to have such a committed police team and we should all make every effort to support them in their unenviable task.

Jeremy Freemantle

Thanks to friends and family

Thank you to the Thursday Group and all who took part in making my 90th birthday party such a really happy time.

Bless you all.

Peggy Clow-Wilson

Verandering bring onsekerheid en stres

Die openbare polemiek en briefwisseling rondom Hoërskool Zwartberg getuig myns insiens grootliks van emosionele onvolwassenheid. Ek wil amper sê: “Word groot!”

Objektief beskou, spruit die hele kwessie uit onsekerheid a.g.v. te vinnige ver-andering: ‘n nuwe skoolhoof met sy eie bestuurstyl, demografiese verandering van leerders, veranderde onderwysbeleidsrigtings, asook die groeiende gebrek aan fondse.

Verandering is sekerlik een van die grootste faktore wat aanleiding gee tot depressie en uitgebrande sindroom. Dit het ook ‘n ingrypende invloed op die emosionele belewenis van mense.

In een van die briewe word vermeld dat personeel ‘afgeboek’ word weens stres.
Stres het baie oorsake, waarvan ver-andering maar een is. Daar is ook persoonlike probleme wat ’n rol speel: leë-nessindroom en kommer oor kinders op kosskool/universiteit, bestaansbehoeftes, gesondheidseise, aanpassing by die ver-anderde demografie en moontlik ook onvrede oor post-1994 Suid-Afrika.

Weerstand teen verandering is ‘n natuurlike menslike eienskap, gegrond op angs vir die onbekende. Dié vrees berus dikwels op wanopvattings en hoorsê. Mense klou aan die gevestigde wyse van doen, want dit bied sekuriteit. Waar daar ’n gebrek aan toekomsvisie is, is mense bang dat hulle hul werk sal verloor.

Om so ‘n negatiewe gesindheid te omskep in ‘n positiewe en trotse een, moet mense oortuig word dat verandering onafwendbaar is. Gevestigde ‘magsgroepe’ moet verskuif, professionele afguns moet hokgeslaan word en mense moet deur transformerende leierskap gelei word om nuut te dink oor ou probleme.

‘n Verligte toekomsvisie is slegs haalbaar as die personeel gewillig is om te ver-ander en saam te werk. Hierdeur word almal binne die organisasie bemagtig tot nuwe hoogtes, werksbevrediging en selfvervulling.

Transformerende leiers het ‘n sterk geloof in hulself, in hul personeel en die uitnemendheid van hul instelling. Vanuit die briefwisseling kom dit voor dat meneer McKnight wel die eienskappe van so ‘n leier toon. Dis net ‘n kwessie van groei. Daar is ‘n gesegde wat lui: “Goeie leiers word gemaak en nie gebore nie.”

Transformerende leiers is lewenslange leerders wat nie net nuwe kennis verwerf en toepas nie, maar ook leer uit eie foute. En, ondervinding het geleer dat ‘n leier eers sy voete in ‘n nuwe omgewing vind ná drie jaar!

Die anonieme briefskrywer se stelling dat die matriekslaagsyfer net te danke is aan toegewyde Gr-12 onderwysers, wil ek bevraagteken.’n Leerder word tog gevorm vanaf die grondslagfase – enige stewige gebou rus op ‘n goeie fondament.

En hoekom mag sy personeel hom nie as “meneer” aanspreek nie? Ek doen dit al die afgelope 52 jaar om my hoofde as meneer/mevrou/juffrou aan te spreek - al is hulle jare jonger as ek. En ek het dieselfde van die personeel onder my beheer verwag. As ek my hoof wil spreek, maak ek ‘n afspraak en spreek hom/haar in die kantoor. Sulke gesprekke hoort nie in die teekamer of terloops in die gange nie.

Moontlik moet die nuwe Beheerliggaam belê in professionele intervensie om die beste eienskappe van al die betrokke partye positief en tot voordeel van die grootmense van môre te ontwikkel. Dis ‘n saak wat veel verder strek as net HZ en Prince Albert. Dis die toekoms van mense; hierin het selfsug, skinderpraatjies en ondergrawery nie ‘n plek nie.

Ek sluit graag af op ’n positiewe noot: Die gedissiplineerdheid van die skoolkinders in HZ-skooldrag op straat, hul netheid en vriendelikheid, is opvallend die afgelope tyd. Is dit moontlik dat ‘n regte woord op die regte tyd gespreek word?

Lettie Breytenbach

Prince Albert, a balm to the mind and soul

I have got to know and love the magical Prince Albert over the past few years, and visit my children and delightful grandchildren 3 or 4 times a year. It is for me as it is for many visitors a change, escapism and certainly beautiful on the senses.

I must congratulate you on your editorship of the Friend. In your hands it has changed from a very parochial newsletter to a sophisticated newspaper. I make a point of reading it and enjoy its recent developments.

I noted with interest that Hennie Boshoff is now a contributor to the paper.

I have been a guest on his spectacular "Villa Kruger" tours twice now and found both his review of Elza Botha's exhibition and his letter, like his and Rossetta’s art in the gardens and house, very thought-provoking, challenging and interesting. They make a very interesting and captivating read.

It's the deep, rich tones and textures such as those that set one apart from the herd. Again, I am happy to say that Prince Albert is not only a great escapism for my body and soul, but the mind too!

Best wishes

Mrs S Fairbank
Newlands, Cape Town

Many thanks, our team works hard! [Ed]

Brett the Vet - Random Axe of Kindness

Recently two sisters from Gauteng visited Prince Albert. They stayed in the caravan park and met a delightful feral cat who befriended them. Two weeks later, as promised, they returned to collect her. Meanwhile she had given birth to three kittens, who all had a viral respiratory tract infection, endemic in the local feral cat population.

The women were prepared to nurse the kittens back to health and provide a home for them despite putting their own cats at risk of infection. This will also mean four less spays to be done here when the municipality introduce their TNR (Trap Neuter Release) program. Demonstrated to be the most effective way of stabilizing the number of feral cats in a given area.

A caring, young farmer rescued a herd of infant male calves at a seaside dairy from the fate of veal crates. The first unseen tragedy occurred earlier when one of their mothers, a cow who had already given birth to four calves, each forcibly removed from her shortly after birth every year, became impaled on a razor wire fence and bled to death while trying to get to her baby.

Although the calves were kept together and fed milk substitute, they soon contracted fatal infections because of the shock of separation and change. The calves were susceptible to disease because they did not remain with their mothers after birth for long enough to suckle. The first milk or colostrum contains antibodies that are absorbed through the stomach to constitute their natural immunity.

At the peak of local drought, on the hottest day in March a particularly bleak patch of earth was packed with ostriches baking in the sun. To cool them down, irrigation sprinklers had been assembled, and rotated, drenching the gasping, bedraggled birds. Saturated circles of previously parched ground covered with layers of accumulated faeces formed a putrid slime that squelched between their toes and caked feathers to their thighs as they waited for the sun to set.

It is commendable that the local municipality has agreed to expand the piece of land allocated to local small pig farmers on the outskirts of town. They have also provided a tap, bringing water to the area, as the new borehole still needs to be fitted with a solar pump. The farmers want to raise their standard of husbandry by supplying more space, adequate shade, a continuous supply of water, and improving security to prevent children, who have been stoning vulnerable piglets to death, from entering the area.

Signs of growing awareness about the sentience of animals also demonstrate the limitations of our understanding. True compassion evolves through empathy, curiosity, and striving to recognize and reduce the extent of the suffering we have imposed on our domestic animals.

Sterreprag oor Prince Albert

- Hans Daehne -

Herfs is nou al met duidelike tekens waarneembaar: die langer nagte, die geel blare en die koeler aande. Herfs word ook in die hemel aangedui, want dit is die tyd wanneer ons vir Orion en die Skerpioen tydens dieselfde nag kan waarneem met laasgenoemde wat deur middel van sy giftige steek tot Orion se ondergang aanleiding gee.

Die ware Herfssterrebeeld is egter Leo, die Leeu, die vyfde sterrebeeld van die diereriem en lê dus as sulks op die Ekliptika, tesame met al die planete. Dit is eintlik die helder hoofster, Regulus van Leo, wat presies op die Ekliptika lê en van die planete sien ons die rooierige Mars links van Leo en verder oos is die geelerige Saturnus in die sterrebeeld Virgo, die maagd. Beide Mars en Saturnus word nou algaande dowwer omdat hulle reeds deur hulle opposisietydperk gegaan het, terwyl Venus en Jupiter al helderder sal word.

In April kan mens Venus as helder Aandster in die sterrebeeld Aries, die Ram, net vir `n kort rukkie na sonsondergang vanaf Gordon`s koppie sien en alhoewel sy binnekort al helderder sal word, sal sy nie hoër as 25 grade styg nie, en dus vroeg met die Ram ondergaan.

Mars beweeg vanaf die oop sterrehopie M44 in Cancer na Regulus en al vinniger deur Leo na Virgo en Libra.

Jupiter maak in die middel van die maand sy oggendverskyning in die sterrebeeld Waterdraer en word al groter en helderder in Pisces in die Winter. Om dié rede is dit belangrik dat mens die diere-
riem sterrebeelde ken, sodat die planete met gemak opgespoor kan word.

Saturnus sal vir die volgende twee jaar in Virgo te vinde wees en lyk nog fassinerend op die oomblik met sy ringe feitlik van die kant gesien. Eers teen die einde van die jaar sal die ringvlak weer tot 10 grade oopgedraai wees.

Die ruimtetuig Cassini wat met goeie kameras aan boord om Saturnus wentel, stuur sedert 2004 indrukwekkende foto`s van Saturnus, die ringstelsel en die mane van Saturnus terug aarde toe. Dit het trouens nou nog `n paar nuwe mane ontdek sodat die getal mane wat om Saturnus wentel nou meer as 60 tel.

Die ruimtetuig Cassini het in 2004 die landingstuig Huygens wat hy na Titan, die tweede grootste maan in die sonnestelsel, geabba het op die oppervlakte van Titan laat land. Van die aarde af sou ons glad nie so baie inligting oor ons sonnestelsel kon bekom as dit nie vir die verskillende ruimtetuie was nie.

Giovanni Domenico Cassini was die eerste direkteur van die Paryse Sterrewag en het in 1671 die tweede Saturnusmaan, Japetus, ontdek, asook die Cassini-gaping in die ringstelsel terwyl die astronoom Christian Huygens in 1655 die grootste Saturnusmaan Titan gevind het. Op die wyse word vroeë ontdekkers deesdae nog vereer.

Nuwe Maan is op die 14de April en Volmaan is op die 28ste April. Dit beteken dat tydens die Prince Albert Olyffees die maan in sy amper volmaanfase waargeneem kan word en welliswaar deur `n sterk maanfilter.

Op die oomblik is juis die omgewing van die drie kruise baie pragtig in die suide bokant die Swartberge en die Groot Magellanse Wolk kan nog baie duidelik gesien word. Ander voorwerpe soos die “Wishing Well”, die Juwelekissie en die pragtige bolvormige sterrehopie, Omega Centauri kan ook tydens maanskyn bewonder word.

Hou die sterre in u oë !

Museum News

You have probably noticed that it has been very hot this summer. The tarmac melted in places, water in birdbaths and elsewhere evaporated in record time and people lucky enough to own a swimming pool had stacks of visitors. Some Prince Albert thermometers showed temperatures above 40 degrees in the shade.

“Thermometer, 1633, from the Greek for heat, hot and measure. An instrument for measuring temperature by means of a substance whose expansion and contraction under different degrees of cold and heat are capable of accurate measurement.”

A splendid specimen of a thermometer can be seen in the “kombuis” of the museum. It is nearly as tall as I am and so heavy that I can hardly pick it up.

Stephens inks, on its enamelled front it says at the top and the bottom and it is graduated in Celsius and Fahrenheit. Next to the relevant temperatures you can read: Freezing, Temperate, Summer-heat, Blood-heat, Fever heat.

During the heat wave the substance filling the glass tube climbed up to blood-heat, the last time I looked it was back to summer-heat.

The thermometer is mounted on a wooden plank, which reveals an interesting piece of information:

“This thermometer is the property of H.O Stephens, 191 Aldersgate Street, London and should be returned to him, carriage forward, if it cannot be advantageously exhibited OUTSIDE your shop, so as to be seen by the passing public, and in order TO PREVENT ITS BEEN [sic] BROKEN during the night, as some have been, TAKE IN AT CLOSE OF THE DAY.

If the tube should become broken, please communicate with me at once.

PLEASE NOTE
If the spirit in this thermometer has, in transit, been shaken into the expansion bulbs at the top of the glass tube, or is broken in the column, hold the thermometer in the middle firmly by both hands and shake it vigorously, but carefully downwards, care being taken that it does not touch the ground.

This jerky action will impel the whole of the spirit to the bottom of the tube.

N.B. This thermometer must not be disfigured by having attached to it any written or printed matter of whatsoever kind, if so it will be recalled.”

How is that for an advertising gimmick?

Museum Greetings
Gunda Hardegen- Brunner

Chamber of Commerce Making Strides

- Jo Long -

The Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce started life last year with a small number of enthusiastic volunteers who believed that the town would benefit from an organisation that could support business and business people.

The Provisional Management Committee is greatly encouraged by the response it has received from local business people and, as well as dealing with its own projects, has endeavoured to respond to specific requests from members. Some of its achievements in the last year have included:

• 36 paid up members in its first year
• The reprint and extensive distribution of Prince Albert’s A-Z Directory of Services
• Due to demand, the reprint and sale of the Chamber’s “Proudly Prince Albert” stickers
• The launch of the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce website, www.princealbertchamber.org
• A meeting with Juanita Fortuin, the town’s Municipal Manager to air members’ concerns regarding the Municipality
• Successful lobbying of the Municipality on behalf of members regarding the recent building planning application delays
• Continuing involvement with the Municipality to help establish a solution to stop non local trucks passing through the town day and night
• Regular contact with Telkom to update members of the availability of additional ADSL ports in the town and to lobby for ADSL to be made available to those outlying areas of Prince Albert
• Investigations with banks other than ABSA with regard to their opening a branch in Prince Albert
• A meeting with ABSA’s Regional Manager to discuss members’ concerns and complaints about service levels at the Prince Albert branch
• SEDA Holdings enlisted several members to their funding initiatives for setting up and guiding small businesses

The Committee members are all volunteers and as such are only able to devote limited time and resources to the Chamber. The Committee would welcome any additional support, (no matter how little time can be spared), in order to help carry out more of the Chamber’s aims and objectives which include:

• Increasing membership of the Chamber
• Enhancing the Chamber’s website by providing more information about member’s businesses
• Updating and improving the Directory of Services
• Providing specialist business speakers for members
• Assisting with the marketing of the town’s businesses

We would also welcome any feedback or comments about the Chamber. More information about the Chamber and application forms to join are available by emailing:
princealbertchamberofcommerce@gmail.com or writing to Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce, c/o Swartberg Hotel, Church Street, Prince Albert, 6930.

Verandering is nie vir sissies nie

- Lettie Breytenbach -

Die openbare debat rondom die pro-bleme tussen die skoolhoof en van die personeellede by Hoërskool Zwartberg, is kommerwekkend. Betrokkenes en be-langstellendes kan met vrug kennis neem van ‘n bestuursmodel wat my as voormalige dosent in verpleegkunde baie gehelp het.

In 1987 was ek in ‘n soortgelyke situasie met die aanvaarding van ‘n bestuurspos. Dit was maar ‘n ruwe (4X4)- reis. Gelukkig kan ek nou terugkyk op ongelooflike persoonlike groei en suksesse. Boonop het my felste kritici, die wat my die meeste ‘hel’ gegee het, my beste medewerkers geword (omdat hulle dryfkrag het en die moed het om hulle sê te sê). Hulle is net so trots op die prestasies wat saam bereik is, en hou nog altyd persoonlike kontak met my, soms om advies te vra, maar meer dikwels om hulle suksesse te deel. Dit maak alles die moeite werd!

Daar is tien fases wat hulself manifesteer in die proses, en elke fase het sy eie dinamika.

1. Bly in ewewig (equilibrium)
In hierdie fase funksioneer mense* steeds produktief omdat hulle persoonlike en professionele doelwitte nog in ooreenstemmimg is met dié van die organisasie… hulle is nog tevrede met die status quo. Sodra druk toeneem om te verander, begin hulle ongemaklik voel.

2. Ontkenning
Mense probeer die status quo handhaaf en verset hulle aktief teen enige verandering. Die energie wat voorheen gebruik was om produktief te wees, word nou verspil op verset/weersin - met die gevolg dat hulle emosioneel uitgeput en depressief word, nie meer gebalanseerd optree nie en ook nie logies dink nie. Werkswinkels in die hantering van stres is aangewese in hierdie fase.

3. Woede
Gedurende hierdie fase besef die mense dat die ewewig nie meer behou kan word nie. Daar is nie die nodige energie om weerstand te bied nie en hulle haal hul frustrasie uit op die bestuurder/leier.

4. Bedinging (“Bargaining”)
Nou probeer die mense om hulself uit die verandering te beding deur met die leier te onderhandel: ‘Ons sal dit doen vir jou, as jy dat doen vir ons.’ Alhoewel dit soms lyk na ‘n oplossing, is kompromie nie ‘n oplossing nie. Compromising is a good umbrella, but a bad shelter. (Bron onbekend.)

5. Chaos
Niks blyk te werk nie! Daar is ‘n (onnodige) verspilling van energie en al die partye wonder of die vorige pogings die moeite werd was. Leiers moet op hierdie stadium die vloeibare toestand aanvaar as deel van die proses. Bespreek die saak met die pessimiste vol negatiewe emosie en gee die versekering dat verandering wel tot almal se beswil sal volg.

6. Depressie
Selfbejammering, ‘n gevoel van leegheid en terugverlang na die ‘goeie ou dae’ kom nou sterk na vore. Van hierdie gevoel van gemis moet net kennis geneem word, maar optrede hoef nie te volg nie. Dit moet ook nie ontken word nie.
7. Aflegging
Mense aanvaar nou die werklikheid van ver-andering en bied nie langer weerstand nie. Aanvaarding is egter sonder enige entoesiasme. Leiers moenie in hierdie stadium druk toepas vir meer optimisme nie, maar mense toelaat om op hulle eie spoed te werk .

8. Openlikheid
Mense raak nou gereed vir die proses van verandering. Nou sal die beleids- en prosedurehandleidings en ook die doelwitte maar weer bespreek moet word - al kom dit onnodig voor.

9. Gereedheid
Mense is nou uitendelik gereed om energie in te sit en die veranderings te laat werk. Leiers het tydens hierdie fase werklik ‘n sterk leidinggewende, ondersteunende en motiverende rol. Aanprysing speel veral ‘n groot rol.

10. Genesis
Die verandering word nou operasioneel. Mense herbelê hul energie in die instansie en in hulself, tree pro-aktief en vindingryk op en inisieer vrywillig nuwe projekte en idees. Dit baan die weg vir nuwe rolverdelings en loopbaangeleenthede.

*Die term ‘mense’ kan vervang word met personeel/werkers. Die model is toepaslik op ‘n veel wyer gebied as net die werkplek.

Bronne:
Booyens S.W (Red.)1995 Dimensions of Nursing Managent; Kenilworth. Juta & Kie
Breytenbach A.M.S. 2004 Notas vir Onderrig aan gevorderde Verpleegstudente in Verpleegadministrasie; (Ongepubliseer)

Prince Albert Groentetuin Projek kry skadu bome

Op Vrydag, 19 Maart, is die eerste koeltebome by die Prince Albert Groentetuin-projek geplant. Hierdie tuin, wat ’n oppervlak van 1 ha beslaan, is in tien tuine opgedeel, en word huidiglik deur sewe persone bestuur.
Dis ’n projek wat deur die Wes-Kaapse Departement van Landbou, Sentrale Karoo Distrikte, gefinansier word. Die Departement verskaf die toerusting en sade, en werkswinkels rakende die kweek van groente en tuinbestuur gaan aan die tuin-eienaars gebied word.

Dis ’n opwindende projek en een waarvan die sukses verreikende gevolge kan hê. Die tuin sal groente soos spinasie, wortels, kool en aartappels lewer, wat gebruik kan word om die eienaars en hul gesinne te voed, óf om ’n inkomste te lewer deurdat dit op markte verkoop kan word.

Die tuin-eienaars sê hul drome is groot, en hul vertrou op die Man van Bo. Hopelik sal harde werk hiér groente lewer, en sal die sukses van hierdie projek ander instansies motiveer om soortgelyke projekte te finansier.

Die ses koeltebome, drie Acacia karroo (Soetdoring) en drie Rhus pendulina (Witkaree) is deur Renu-karoo Veld Restoration cc geborg, wat hierdie bome en ander inheemse plante te koop aanbied. Die skenking is gereël deur Mnr Jan Johannes, distrikshoof vir die bogenoemde Departement.

Willem Matthee
(NMMU Natuurbewaring student by Renu-Karoo Veld Restoration cc)

Water: we want to get it right

-Linda Jaquet -

Earlier this year, a hastily organised meeting of residents concerned about the water situation in Prince Albert, in particular water for domestic use, revealed that many residents are very concerned and frustrated about a whole range of issues:

• the quality and safety of drinking water, now and in the long term;
• the sustainable management and security of the town’s water resources;
• the Municipality’s poor record of informing residents timeously about water cuts and staffing and technical problems;
• where to address water-related queries;
• the lack of the necessary expertise in the Municipality;

A number also took the management of the Kweekvallei Water Users Association (KWUA) to task for the unsatisfactory communication to water users about the new water pipeline and a general lack of transparency.

The Friend has now raised concerns about drinking water during long and hard discussions with the Municipal Manager, Juanita Fortuin and the Acting Technical Services Manager, Heinrich Mettler. Mettler, a civil technician experienced in water management was seconded to our Municipality by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) last year as part of their efforts to strengthen rural municipalities to deliver services and to operate more efficiently.

Both Fortuin and Mettler acknowledged the recent difficulties and said that there was a lack of the skills needed to manage the water supply. Knowledge of the system had not been transferred properly following the retirement and resignation of people who had looked after the town’s water for many years.

Dr Ricky Murray of Groundwater Africa was contracted in 2006 to analyse Prince Albert’s water management system and make recommendations about the long-term sustainability of the town’s water supply. The Municipality later ended his services, which were funded by the Department of Water Affairs as a Masibambane Project. The skills of Johann Rissik, a local resident who worked with Dr Murray, were also lost as a result. He looked after the complicated system of boreholes, pumps and electronic monitoring and trained a municipal official, who later resigned,

The Municipality and the Kweekvallei Irrigation Board then implemented only one of Dr Murray’s recommendations, the laying of the pipeline in the furrow, the purpose of which was to save water losses along the furrow and ensure that a fair share of the savings was allocated to the Municipality. This too had been delayed for two years due to haggling in the Council. His recommendations covered modifying the boreholes’ pumping rates, upgrading borehole monitoring equipment, appointing a dedicated person to manage the town’s water resources and supply system and changing the furrow allocation schedule to provide a continuous and consistent supply of water.

Heinrich Mettler told the Friend that proper monitoring of the water supply system was not yet up to scratch and that one of the boreholes supplying water to the town had been out of commission since late last year. He confirmed that there had been unintentional mishaps:

• the pipes had been flushed in the wrong season
• chlorine had been incorrectly added to one of the reservoirs
• the high-pressure reservoir adjacent to Gordon’s Koppie had over-flowed on more than one occasion
• the contractor responsible for the pipeline, Mabungwe Civils, had stopped the water flow one day in January to work on the pipeline without informing the Municipality causing a dam to run dry and residents to be without water for 12 hours.

Mr Mettler added that high water consumption in the town during the holiday season and particularly during the recent exceptionally hot period had increased the pressure on the water management system. Mettler reassured residents that their drinking water was being properly managed and commended his new team and their predecessors for doing a good job under difficult circumstances for which they were ill prepared. He also had high praise for Jan Nel, an electrical and mechanical specialist, who for the last year or so has responded uncomplainingly to calls at all times of the night and day to repair pumps, solve problems and check the telemetry system that monitors the boreholes daily. “Jan went way beyond what was expected of him.”

Who looks after Prince Albert’s water? At the moment the buck stops with Heinrich Mettler, who heads up the new Technical Services section in the Municipality. (The Community Services Manager was previously responsible for these water services.) A water team that answers to him was appointed on 15 January this year. It is made up of Jeff Armoed, the water treatment works process controller, Reinhold Romp, the waste treatment works process controller and Eben Briessies, the data collector/lab assistant. They are all receiving intensive on the job training in their respective areas of responsibility from the Technical Assistance Centre (TAC), sponsored by Water Affairs and the DBSA.

The Municipality’s water management is now a pilot project for the TAC, which will assist at any time. Mettler is also trying to find funding to employ a groundwater specialist to assess the current water situation following the hot summer and to train the water treatment process controller.

Mettler assured the Friend that he and his team would make every effort to ensure a safe supply of water to the town and not repeat recent mishaps. They were working hard to address residents’ concerns and to comply with Water Affairs’ prestigious Blue Drop status. To get this the Municipality will have to meet stringent criteria for overall water management quality. In February, the Municipality’s compliance was 9% and Mettler is aiming at 50% compliance by end of April. The bottom line is that the water is safe but the required reporting mechanisms have not yet been met.


The Municipality will now bring out a quarterly newsletter reporting on water quality and other related issues. Residents’ telephone calls or enquiries about water-related problems will be recorded on a daily water incident sheet and dealt with systematically by the water team. At this stage, while the water team is still new on the job, Mettler requested that all queries and problems be addressed to him at the Municipality.

Mettler could not confirm that the Municipality is as yet receiving its fair share of the water flow from the new pipeline. One of the objectives of the pipeline was that saved leakage would go to the Municipality ensuring that leiwater users would receive their leiwater and the Municipality would be assured of more water. He indicated that he was in the process of installing a weir in the channel where part of the water flow is diverted to the Municipality’s balancing dam. The weir will determine volume of water. “We do know that water users are all getting more than before. Our readings higher up on the pipeline make me confident that the town has sufficient water at the moment.”

However, the Municipality has only the one balancing dam and is therefore not able to store its excess water, which overflows into the leiwater furrow and is taken by leiwater users. Mettler says that a second balancing dam and upgrading of pipes are essential. These will cost R13 million and an application for funding has been submitted to Water Affairs.

Mettler is confident of the pipeline’s ability to withstand high pressure, saying that the consulting engineer, Flip van Jaarsveld, of KV3 had tested it satisfactorily. This is essential for the recharging of the boreholes in winter and vital for filling the town’s aquifers and so boost water supply during the summer peak demand period. According to Mettler there has not been an artificial recharge test to date.

Mettler stressed that he and his team wanted to work with the community. He was open to attending community meetings and meetings of residents’ organisations to talk about issues of concern to townsfolk. He welcomed suggestions and urged residents with relevant expertise to get involved. “One way of investing in your town is to give your time,” he proposed. He also thanked the community for responding to the Municipality’s call in January to save water. Consumption had dropped noticeably after that.

Jeff Armoed, the town’s water treatment works process controller, commented that he was fully committed to his new position and its important responsibilities. “The safety of the town’s water is all consuming for me. I could not go home at night knowing that my children would have to drink water that was not safe.”