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| Contents |
Issue No. 344 -- 10 October 2005 |
Editor's Message
Quote/s of the Week
Ad Hoc Article/s of the Week
Bits and Bobs
The Legal Beagle
Help Desk
Where are they now?
Club and Other News
Humour
Recipes
Sports News
Credits and Contact Info
Subscribing and Unsubscribing
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This weekend in our quest for things to do we went to visit some friends who have bought property in a game reserve in Rooiberg (somewhere near to Tamabimbi).
We had a great time... very hot (around 38degrees C during the day) and cooler nights – thank goodness! They are finishing off their house and will be opening a spa before Christmas. We saw a lot of game (no carnivores) including a group of giraffe (I think a group of giraffe is called a journey...) some red hartebeest, nyala and lots of kudu.
We came back via Bela Bela – I really think someone there should put up a few more signs! We went round and round a section of the town (as did about ten other vehicles when we were there...) trying to figure out how to get to the toll road!
I seem to be having a few mail problems... so I apologise for the lack of some regular columns and articles in this week's edition. Should be fixed by next week! SAW Advertisement
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These from me...
Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is. - Isaac Asimov
There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self. - Aldous Huxley
Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself. - Willam Faulkner
These from Des Cowie...
In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us. - Flora Edwards
Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, 'What's in it for me?' - Brian Tracy
Courage is very important. Like a muscle, it is strengthened by use. - Ruth Gordon
Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Send in any quotes you love... that have some special meaning for you... and I will use at least one every week. Usual address! editor@saw.co.za
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Coming Home
Each week we will feature a question and answer sent in to the Company for Immigration. We hope these will help answer any questions you might have regarding any part of the coming home process. If you would like to send in your own question, please feel very free to do so.
We will also be featuring a great amount of information on the SAW Website (www.saw.co.za) under the Coming Home section. You can also find out info by visiting our newly relaunched site, South Africa Online (www.southafrica.co.za) and checking out the Coming to SA section.
Here is a bit more info...
Whenever and wherever South Africans meet, the surest way to start a lively discussion, is to ask someone for an opinion about emigration from or remigration back to South Africa. In 2002 we (i.e. the non-profit immigration service, Company for Immigration, and the trade-union, Solidarity) realized that the return of South African expats had become a fact and that their inputs are essential for the growth and development of the country. We are neither interested in a debate about the reasons why people leave or come back, nor about the merit of their decisions. We prefer to provide a practical service instead:
offering advice and assistance to prospective remigrants;
addressing the problems which cause people to emigrate; and informing people about the pros and cons of emigration, to help them make an informed decision before leaving.
Interested? Want to receive our monthly newsletter by email? Have questions or suggestions? If so, please visit our mirror sites www.comehome.co.za or www.komhuistoe.co.za and leave your details on the visitor's page, or contact us at admin@cfi.org.za. We are looking forward to hearing from you!
This week’s Q&A:
John and Susan, London:
We are both South African citizens. Our baby will be born in November here in London. Should we add her to either of our South African passports?
Dear John and Susan
Lately children are no longer included in the passports of their parents. Right from birth the parents can (and should) apply for their own passports. Parents living abroad at the time of birth should first register the birth of the child in South Africa and once the birth has been registered, apply for the passport. Forms can be obtained from your nearest South African consulate, the website of the Department of Home Affairs (www.home-affairs.gov.za) or us at Alana@solidariteit.co.za.
Kind regards
Alana
COME HOME CAMPAIGN
Migrasie / Migration
Solidariteit Alliansie / Solidarity Alliance
P O Box 8766, Centurion, 0046, RSA
Tel: 0027-(0)12-6438532
Fax: 0027-(0)12-6438587
admin@cfi.org.za
Places to avoid
This from Theo Truter truter@mweb.co.za
DA names SA's five 'worst' hospitals - Cape Town, South Africa
05 October 2005 04:53
It is "patently obvious" that the rights of patients in state hospitals are not being respected and that urgent action is needed, the Democratic Alliance said on Wednesday.
DA MP and health spokesperson Dianne Kohler-Barnard released a damning report on the country's "five worst hospitals" during a press conference at Parliament -- citing a litany of staff shortages, disrepair and filth, and poor health-care provision at the Rob Ferreira hospital in Mpumalanga, Umtata General and Cecilia Makiwane in the Eastern Cape, Natalspruit in Gauteng, and Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal.
"The 27-million South Africans who depend on the public health service are frequently unable to access an acceptable level of health care," Kohler-Barnard said.
"At the worst hospitals, patient must spend hours waiting just for a file, bring their own linen, stay in wards infested with vermin and reeking of human waste, and often share beds with other patients.
"Hospital buildings are infested with grime, rubbish and vermin. In these conditions, it is patently obvious that the rights of patients are not being respected and that urgent action is required."
The DA's investigation into conditions in the public health-care sector "clearly showed" that health care is deteriorating on a broad front.
By highlighting a few of the worst examples, the DA is demonstrating that the government's hospitalisation revitalisation plans are failing, and that a thorough review of the effectiveness of existing policies is needed, she said.
It is particularly alarming that the problems faced by the hospitals have been raised repeatedly by hospital staff, politicians, trade unions and journalists over many years.
"While many promises have been made, there is little evidence of their fulfilment," Kohler-Barnard said.
The DA intends to make a dedicated effort to ensure action is taken and the problems addressed to improve conditions.
"The buck stops with Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang. It is her job to provide health care to South Africans."
Kohler-Barnard said at some hospitals 67% of doctors' posts are vacant, doctors have been forced to operate by torchlight, and nurses are expected to keep intensive-care patients alive by pumping air into their lungs manually during the many power cuts.
Patients' files are jumbled on the floor, unused beds line most corridors and are abandoned in the grounds along with numerous wheelchairs, paint is peeling on walls, almost all the floor tiles are missing, and cats, rats, mice and cockroach infestations are evident.
The stench of human waste permeates, washing and toilet facilities are filthy, and in some hospitals sewage runs on floors, she said. -- Sapa
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And the other side of the story...
DA's hospital report slated
05/10/2005 22:54 - (SA)
Cape Town - Urgent action was needed on state hospitals, where the rights of patients were not being respected, the Democratic Alliance said on Wednesday in releasing a report on what it claimed were the country's five worst hospitals.
There were staff shortages, disrepair, filth and poor health-care provision at the Rob Ferreira Hospital in Mpumalanga; Umtata General and Cecilia Makiwane hospitals in the Eastern Cape; Natalspruit Hospital in Gauteng; and Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, said the DA.
The national department of health has criticised the report -particularly its naming of the hospitals - as doing nothing to improve the quality of health-care delivery.
"It rather stigmatises these facilities and demoralises the many health workers who are dedicated to meeting the increasing health-care needs of communities served by these facilities," said spokesperson Sibani Mngadi.
She went on to accuse the DA of failing to acknowledge progress in the public hospital infrastructure since 1994.
Revitalisation plans failing
However, releasing the report in Cape Town, DA MP and health spokesperson Dianne Kohler-Barnard said that, in highlighting a few of the worst examples, the DA was demonstrating that the government's hospitalisation revitalisation plans were failing, and that a review was needed of the effectiveness of existing policies.
South Africans who depended on the public health service were frequently unable to get an acceptable level of health care, she said.
"At the worst hospitals, patients must spend hours waiting just for a file, bring their own linen, stay in wards infested with vermin and reeking of human waste, and often share beds with other patients.
Health care 'deteriorating'
"Hospital buildings are infested with grime, rubbish and vermin. In these conditions, it is patently obvious that the rights of patients are not being respected and that urgent action is required."
The DA report showed that health care was deteriorating on a broad front, Kohler-Barnard added.
"While many promises have been made, there is little evidence of their fulfilment."
The DA intended to try to ensure action was taken and the problems addressed, she said.
Eastern Cape health department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo has described the report as "grossly exaggerated and unfair".
Under its revitalisation programme, his department had built new hospitals and demolished old ones.
Public hospitals also had been clustered into complexes and chief executive officers with administration experience appointed to see to the improved running of the hospitals.
"In Mthatha, for example, we've got a new state-of-the-art, world-class institution, the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, but the DA chose to ignore (it)," said Kupelo.
As much as the health department welcomed suggestions, it would not heed destructive criticism, he said.
South Africa is becoming known in space
This from Guy Lundy...
South Africa is increasingly becoming a known force in space circles. The country launched Africa's first satellite in 1999. Since then Mark Shuttleworth has become the world's second space tourist, Paarl wine farm owner and the world's third space tourist, Dr Greg Olsen, has taken Pinotage vine rootstocks into space, and a South African citizen based in the USA, Elon Musk, has started a private space exploration company called SpaceX. South Africa is also planning its second satellite launch.
The first South African satellite was developed by Stellenbosch University, in conjunction with its spin-off company SunSpace and Information Systems (Pty) Ltd. It was successfully launched by NASA in February 1999. Images are used for applications such as traffic monitoring, disaster management, urban development, mapping, environmental assessments and demographic compilation.
Announcing the plan to launch the country's second Low Earth Orbit satellite by the end of 2006, Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena said that the R26 million project would help to increase local capabilities in satellite engineering. The programme will be managed by Stellenbosch University again, and will be a joint effort together with SunSpace, the CSIR's Satellite Application Centre and the Department of Science and Technology.
The university is currently negotiating a contract with various launch companies, but it is likely that it will be a Russian launch and will be missile based. This is compatible with talks that have just taken place between the South African and Russian governments, which ended in the signing of a co-operation agreement on science and technology. The agreement may well see the Russians launching their spacecraft from South Africa in the near future.
Also good for South Africa's image in space are all the personalities connected with South Africa who are leading the revived space craze. First there was Mark Shuttleworth, who spent $20 million and six months learning Russian and training to become an astronaut in Russia before he became the first African in space. This was followed up last week by Dr Greg Olsen, owner of La Vinette wine estate near Paarl, who took Pinotage rootstocks grown by KWV Vititec in gel containers and planted them on the international space station to see if they will grow in space. He will also be bringing back 500 wine labels bearing the space station's emblem that will be placed on commemorative bottles of "space wine" from his estate.
Other South African space personalities include Mike Melville, who piloted SpaceShipOne, the world's first commercial space flight, to 100km above the earth. Melville was born and grew up in Durban. Then there is 34 year old Pretoria Boys' High old boy Elon Musk, who became one of the richest under-40s in America after having founded and sold internet companies Zip2 and PayPal. Musk's new company, SpaceX, is about to launch its first rocket, at a fraction of the normal cost. His dream is to find an affordable way to establish a human colony on Mars.
For more interesting and exciting news about developments in South Africa, subscribe to the International Marketing Council's regular BrandSA newsletter by visiting www.imc.org.za/goodstuff.htm or www.imc.org.za/subscribe.asp.
If you would like to contact Guy, visit his web site here.
Due to mail problems it seems I did not receive any articles for this section.
No queries received this week.
Nobody needing help this week.
If you are looking for a lost friend... if you would like old friends to contact you... If you want to find old school friends... if you just want people who used to know you to find you again for a chat...
Send in your info, the info of anyone you are looking for and let’s see if we can find them for you!
USA – New York
Next New York Springbok Club Get Together - October 20, 2005
The next Springbok Club get together will be on Thursday, October 20, 2005.
Thanks to all who attended the last one. We had great attendance and at midnight there were still people there.
Next Get Together:
Date: October 20, 2005
Time: 6:00 pm till 11:00 pm
Place: Pig & Whistle Pub (165 West 47th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues - Manhattan). We have the whole 2nd floor to ourselves for the event.
Jerry Weitsz
jerry@nynjspringbok.com
http://nyspringbok.blogspot.com/
UK
Starfish UK invites you to its Annual Gala Function: 'A Celebration of Africa'
It's that time of year again when we encourage Starfish party-goers across the UK to join us to celebrate a fantastic year of achievement. This year's party aims to unite nations and make a real impact on the lives of the thousands of children supported by the Starfish Greathearts Foundation across Southern Africa.
When: Saturday 29th October 2005, 19h30 til 1am
Where: The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London EC1Y 4SD
What: Drinks reception, three course South African themed dinner followed by music and dancing from Jazzbomb.
Auction prizes include:
authentic African experience for two at Mosetlha Bushcamp, Madikwe;
annual polo membership for two at the Guards Polo, Windsor.
Tickets: £80 per head / £800 per table
To reserve your tickets email celebrate@starfishcharity.org.
Payment: Bank transfer to Starfish Greathearts Foundation (Barclays)
Account No: 50446564, Sort code: 20-41-41
or
cheque made payable to 'Starfish' and marked Gala Function,
c/o Exchange House, Primrose Street, London EC2A 2HS.
At Starfish, we believe that all individuals in their various spheres of influence can help to bring life, hope and opportunity to children orphaned or made vulnerable by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Working with established NGOs in over 50 communities in South Africa, Starfish currently supports over 9,000 children and with your help could reach out to so many more… Each and every one of us can make a difference!
Spread the Starfish story and invite your friends... www.starfishcharity.org
Liquid prices
This from Theo Truter truter@mweb.co.za
Just a thought about the petrol price
This makes one think, and also puts things in perspective.
Diet Coke can 340ml R4.50 = R13.24 per litre
Lipton Ice Tea 200ml R2.50 = R12.50 per litre
Energade 250ml R3.50 = R14.00 per litre
Brake Fluid 100ml R6.00 = R60.00 per litre
Vick's Nasal Spray 50ml R9.00 = R180.00 per litre
And this is the REAL KICKER...
Evian water 500ml R13.00 = R26.00 per litre (R26.00 for WATER?!)
So, the next time you're at the pump, be glad your car doesn't run on water, Coke, or Vick's Nasal Spray! Just a little humour to help ease the pain of your next trip to the pump...
(Oh, and if you don't pass this on to at least one person, your exhaust will fall off!)
Aviation humour - no apologies for Mugabe bashing
More from Theo
President Mugabe is visiting a primary school and he visits one of the classes. They are in the middle of a discussion related to words and their meanings. The teacher asks the president if he would like to lead the discussion on the word "Tragedy". So the illustrious leader asks the class for an example of a "tragedy".
One little boy stands up and offers: "If my best friend, who lives on a farm, is playing in the field and a war vet comes along and knocks him dead with a log, that would be a tragedy."
"No," says Mugabe," that would be an accident."
A little girl raises her hand: "If a school bus carrying 50 children drove over a cliff, killing everyone inside, that would be a tragedy."
"I'm afraid not," explains the president. "That's what we would call a great loss."
The room goes silent. No other children volunteer. Mugabe searches the room. "Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?"
Finally at the back of the room a small boy raises his hand. In a quiet voice he says: "If a Zimbabwe Air Force jet carrying Mr Mugabe were struck by a missile and blown to smithereens that would be a tragedy."
"Fantastic!" exclaims Mugabe. "That's right. And can you tell me why that would be tragedy?"
"Well," says the boy, "because it certainly wouldn't be a great loss and it probably wouldn't be an accident either."
Cowboy humour
This from DanielJan LeRoux
A cowboy meets an Indian herding sheep in the Black Hills.
Cowboy: "Hey, cool dog you got there. Mind if I speak to him?"
Indian: "Dog don't talk."
Cowboy: "Hey dog, how's it going?"
Dog: "Doin' all right."
Indian: (Look of shock!)
Cowboy: "Is this Indian your owner?" (pointing at the Indian)
Dog: "Yep."
Cowboy: "How does he treat you?"
Dog: "Real good. He walks me twice a day, feeds me great food, and takes me to the lake once a week to play."
Indian: (Look of total disbelief!)
Cowboy: "Mind if I talk to your horse?"
Indian:"Horse no talk."
Cowboy: "Hey horse, how's it going?"
Horse: "Cool."
Indian: (Extreme look of shock!)
Cowboy: "Is this your owner?" (pointing to the Indian)
Horse: "Yep."
Cowboy: "How's he treat you?"
Horse: "Pretty good, thanks for asking, he rides me regularly, brushes me down often, and keeps me in a lean-to to protect me from the elements."
Indian: (Look of total amazement)
Cowboy: "Mind if I talk to your sheep?"
Indian: "Sheep lie..."
Women drivers
This from Ken Cram
This morning on the Trans Canada Highway, I looked over to my left and there was a woman in a brand new Cadillac doing 100 KM per hour with her face up next to her rear view mirror putting on her eyeliner.
I looked away for a couple seconds and when I looked back she was halfway over in my lane, still working on that makeup.
As a man, I don't scare easily. But she scared me so much; I dropped my electric shaver, which knocked the doughnut out of my other hand. In all the confusion of trying to straighten out the car using my knees against the steering wheel, it knocked my cell phone away from my ear which fell into the coffee between my legs, splashed and burned Big Jim and the Twins, ruined the damn phone, soaked my trousers, and disconnected an important call.
Damn women drivers!!!
Here is a plea for help from a reader...
Hi!
I am desperately looking for the best scones recipe.
Who can assist me?
Best regards
ANNICK
alejoncour@voila.fr
Goosen enters Limpopo Classic
World number five Retief Goosen has confirmed he will be in action at the 2005 Limpopo Classic when it breaks new ground as the season-opening event on the 2005-2006 Sunshine Tour summer swing in November.
Smith vows to pick up World XI for Super Test
Skipper Graeme Smith has shrugged off the World XI's inglorious showings in the Super Series one-dayers and has promised to lift the players' commitment for this week's Test match with Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Pietersen named one-day international player of the year
South African born England batsman Kevin Pietersen was named on Tuesday as the ICC's one-day international player of the year and the emerging player of the year.
Bok Test cancelled
The Springboks will not play Italy in Rome on 3 December at the end of their northern hemisphere tour. The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) advised it will not be able to field all their first choice players as they would wish for such an important match due to existing agreements with their clubs.
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South Africans Worldwide - SAWmail Copyright © 1998 - 2005 Maesti
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