South Africans Worldwide Newsletter

Now that Winter has arrived all over South Africa, one can only hope that everyone has shelter where they can keep warm and be fed. “Gluh-wein”, hot soups, curry and many types of potjies/stew, hot desserts, are now the preferred drink and food for many, as they drive the cold away.

Now that more time is spent indoors, how about writing things for the SAW Newsletter?

Some predictions are that rolling power cuts will occur. Therefore like the Boy Scouts, we all need to "Be Prepared". Have you stocked up with alternative energy?

There are LPG bottles/cylinders for heaters, lamps & cookers, anthracite, coal and wood for heaters & braais, paraffin for that old Primus stove or Cadac lamp. Batteries for torches, lamps and radios. Candles are not only romantic, but can become essential. Solar cookers and solar water-heating panels are available but are still too expensive for the "man in the street".

South Africans are awaiting Justice Willem van der Merwe’s verdict on Monday 8 May, in the Zuma court case. That will be reported in next week’s issue.

Have a good week. Till the next issue.

Theo

Letters to the Editor TOP

What a dilemma!!

I am English speaking, refused to speak Afrikaans and believe me I was very stroppy about it. Then we came to New Zealand and I decided to trace the ancestry of our families and guess what? I am now reading Afrikaans better than I ever did before!

I use the Afrikaans sites to research genealogy and have always encountered friendship and help, can we not be just as polite?

Necessity is a great professor, me thinks; certainly true in my case!

Tricia - New Zealand

Patricia Koekemoer
Answer Phone/Fax: 09) 298 6434
Mobile: 027 212 4647
peknz1@xtra.co.nz

Quote/s of the Week TOP

If you live to be one hundred, you've got it made. Very few people die past that age. - George Burns

When you go in search of honey you must expect to be stung by bees. - Joseph Joubert. (submitted by Daniel Jan le Roux.)

Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies. - Nelson Mandela (submitted by Maureen Cram.)

Without geometry, life is pointless.

When you dream in color, it's a pigment of your imagination.

Reading while sunbathing makes you well-red.

A man's home is his castle, in a manor of speaking.

Dijon vu - the same mustard as before. - Authors unknown (submitted by Maureen Cram.)

Life Recipes TOP

The Value of Pain - by Rubel Shelly

Tony Dungy is the head coach of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. Many were expecting his team to be competing in Super Bowl XL, but it wasn't to be. He did, however, speak at the Athletes in Action breakfast on Saturday before the game.

After receiving a lengthy standing ovation and paying tribute to Curtis Martin for winning the Athletes in Action Bart Starr Award, Dungy told the hundreds of attendees that he wanted to talk about lessons he had learned from his three sons. Reporters say the room fell silent except for the coach's voice.

He spoke first of his middle son, Eric, and his competitive nature that is so focused on athletics that "it's almost a problem." Then he turned to his youngest son, Jordan, whose rare congenital condition makes him insensitive to pain. "That sounds like it's good at the beginning, but I promise you it's not," said Coach Dungy. "We've learned some hurts are really necessary for kids. Pain is necessary for kids to find out the difference between what's good and what's harmful." He explained in terms of Jordan's love for his mother's cookies. "Cookies are good," the coach continued, "but — in Jordan's mind — if they're good out on the plate, they're even better in the oven. He will go right in the oven when my wife's not looking, reach in, take the rack out, take the pan out, burn his hands – then eat the cookies and burn his tongue and never feel it."

Sometimes pain is the only way that will turn us ...
With no fear borne of pain, Jordan must be watched constantly. And the lesson from that, Dungy said, is pretty simple. "You get the question all the time, ‘Why does the Lord allow pain in your life? Why do bad things happen to good people? If there is a God of love, why does he allow these hurtful things to happen?' We've learned that a lot of times because of that pain, that little temporary pain, you learn what's harmful. You learn to fear the right things.

"Pain sometimes lets us know we have a condition that needs to be healed. Pain inside sometimes lets us know that spiritually we're not quite right, and we need to be healed. And that God will send that healing agent right to the spot. Sometimes pain is the only way that will turn us as kids back to the Father."

Only then did Coach Dungy speak of his oldest son, James, who took his life three days before Christmas. Of his family's pain. Of lessons they learned.

Coach Dungy reminds us all that the only way to overcome heartache and death, discouragement and anguish is to let them turn us back to the Father. When that happens, we have discovered the ultimate value our pain can have.

http://www.heartlight.org/articles...

Ad Hoc Article/s of the Week TOP

SA will always be home, say expats

A survey of South Africans living abroad indicated overwhelming support for the country and a feeling that "South Africa will always be home". The results, released this week, show that of the around 2 000 expatriates surveyed - mostly from six English-speaking countries - 34 percent wanted to return. Nearly all had "a high and continuing level of involvement with South Africa".

"While the perception is that South Africans living overseas are all negative, in fact the research disproves this. The majority of them are positive and help to build brand SA with their patriotism," said Yvonne Johnston, chief executive of the International Marketing Council, which sponsored the research.

Read more here... http://www.iol.co.za

SA's transformation is creating a vast underclass

South Africa's ruling class was drawn from and locked into an industry run by minerals and energy cartels, Moeletsi Mbeki, the deputy chairman of the SA Institute of International Affairs, said this week. This ruling class was made up of two dominant classes in South African society, Mbeki said. These were the black upper middle class that dominated the political life of the country; and the economic chiefs, the owners and controllers of minerals and energy firms.

Read more here... http://www.busrep.co.za

R15bn 'city' to link Pretoria and Jo'burg

A new R15-billion "city" - likely to be the catalyst that will unite Tshwane and Johannesburg all along the highway - is to be established in Midrand. Waterfall City is billed as the single largest mixed-use development on the biggest tract of empty land in the province.

Read more here... http://www.iol.co.za1

Gold medals for tourism delegates

The golden era of South African tourism is about to be celebrated in style in Durban - and more than 11 500 visitors will even get a medal to mark the momentous milestone.

And they won't forget the five-star gold service and welcome they have been receiving either. With KwaZulu-Natal known as a warm and welcoming holiday destination, that's exactly what the deluge of delegates to Durban have been getting.

Read more here... http://www.iol.co.za

Nanotechnology to target major diseases

Nanotechnology - the "technology of the small" - is set to blaze new scientific trails in South Africa, and one of the most innovative research fields involves using gold in the fight against HIV and Aids. The Department of Science and Technology recently launched a national nanotechnology strategy for South Africa, which will include a R450-million investment over the next three years.

The launch also corresponds with the opening of a national facility that will be housed at Mintek, a Johannesburg science council specialising in mineral and metallurgical technology.

The government views investment in nanotechnology as an opportunity to improve information technology, environmental sciences, health and industrial technology.

Read more here... http://www.iol.co.za

SA centre wins grant for study of herbal cure

A leading American medical research institute has awarded R24,5 million to a Cape Town-based centre studying African herbal medicines.

The research consortium led by the SA Herbal Science and Medicine Institute (SAHSMI) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and the Missouri University School of Medicine won the sponsorship despite stiff competition from other American universities, including Harvard and Johns Hopkins, which proposed to work with partners in Asian countries to study their ancient systems of medicine.

The new centre is called the International Centre for Indigenous Phytotherapy Studies for Aids, Secondary Infections and Immune Modulation. It will be led by UWC professor of Herbal Medicine Quinton Johnson and Missouri medical professor William Folk.

Read more here... http://www.iol.co.za

Inventor says immortality is within our reach

As part of his daily routine, Ray Kurzweil ingests 250 supplements, eight to 10 glasses of alkaline water and 10 cups of green tea.

The famed inventor and computer scientist is serious about his health because if it fails him he might not live long enough to see humanity achieve immortality, a seismic development he predicts in his new book is no more than 20 years away.

It's a blink of an eye in history, but long enough for the 56-year-old Kurzweil to pay close attention to his fitness. He urges others to do the same in Fantastic Voyage: Live Long Enough to Live Forever.

Read more here... http://www.iol.co.za

Bits and Bobs TOP

Get out there and see South Africa

By Jennifer Stern

We live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, with so many exciting activities, but we never seem to get around to doing the things in our own backyard, do we?

The only way you're likely to actually get up from your computer, the telly or whatever, is to make a list, stick it on the fridge (or your computer or the telly) and tick off the activities as you've done them.

I've chosen these 50 as being a good representation of what's available - some are my personal favourites and some, I think, have more general appeal. But you may not agree, so if you don't like mine, make your own list. For what it's worth, though, here are 25 of my suggestions [we will publish the remaining 25 next issue - Ed.]

1. Paddle the Orange River: Awesome scenery, fun but easy rapids, great food and sleeping under the stars is one of the best destressers around. www.felixunite.com or www.gravity.co.za

2. Ride a horse along a beach: The long white beach at Buffels Bay near Knysna is just perfect for a gentle canter in the surf line. More experienced riders can do a longer ride returning through the fabulous coastal forest of the Goukamma Nature Reserve. www.great.co.za

3. Learn to dive: From Cape Town's icy kelp forests to Maputaland's coral wonderland, South Africa has some of the best and most varied diving in the world. There is a dive school near you.

4. Watch the sun set over the Atlantic: You may even see a green flash. And, certainly, you can enhance the experience with a good Cape wine.

5. Spend a night in a township B&B: That's assuming you don't live in a township already, in which case concentrate on the other 49 options. Enjoying a meal with your hosts and getting to know them is all part of the experience. You'll find all the info you need at local tourist info offices.

6 Walk in the Berg: You can choose between a short-day walk to visit waterfalls, caves or rock art, or opt for the full Drakensberg traverse that will take you anything from two to four weeks. www.kznwildlife.com

7. Ride the cable car up Table Mountain: Yes, of course, it's a touristy thing to do - that's 'cause it takes you to what must be one of the most stunning viewpoints in the world. You'd be amazed how many Capetonians haven't been up the cable car - it's that old backyard mentality at work again. www.tablemountain.net

8. Explore the Cango Caves: Extending for miles into the limestone of the Little Karoo, these fabulous caves contain huge stalagmites and stalactites, as well as some spectacular flow formations.

Unless you're really claustrophobic, or unfit, opt for the longer adventure tour. This way you get to slither through the Devil's Chimney and post yourself through his little postbox. Hmmm. Obviously he doesn't get much mail. www.cangocaves.co.za

9. Do the Grahamstown Festival: Every July thousands of culture vultures descend on this fascinating little town to freeze their butts off, eat their way through a dozen ephemeral restaurants that pop up for the duration and - of course - see the best performance art South Africa has to offer. www.nafest.co.za

10. Amble around Kalk Bay: Browse in the antique shops, sample the many cappuccinos on offer, buy crusty ciabatta (possibly the best in the world) from the Olympic Café and fish fresh off the boats in the harbour.

11. Paddle with dolphins: Take a kayak trip from Plett where you are almost guaranteed to see a pod or two of dolphins. If they don't oblige, the scenery is great, anyway, and it's a fun trip. www.dolphinadventures.net

12. Walk the cliff top in Hermanus: The flowers and views are fantastic and - in winter - the whales are there.

13. Spoil yourself rotten: There is no more gloriously self-indulgent experience than to check into a game lodge with a wellness centre attached. You do the usual - up at dawn, game drive, monster brunch, late afternoon tea, game drive, sundowners, night drive and huge supper.

But then, instead of spending the time between brunch and afternoon tea reading or sleeping, you could be getting a massage, facial, manicure or whatever. Definitely the best of both worlds. Almost every second game lodge has a wellness centre, now so there are dozens to choose from.

14. Visit the Apartheid Museum: We need to know our history to make sure we don't repeat it. And, while you're there, you can dilute the serious soul-searching stuff with a carnival ride at Gold Reef City. www.apartheidmuseum.org

15. Do Kruger: If you've never explored this mega South African icon, you're really missing out. Don't listen to the mother grundies who say it's too developed. It's 20 000sq km with, granted, some tarred roads and huge rest camps, but this is a wild place. You go self-drive, join a night drive, take a self-guided 4x4 trail or even adventure on an escorted mountain bike trail. www.sanparks.org

16. Check out the spring flowers: Almost every obscure little place north of Cape Town all the way to the Namibian border is renowned for one or two species, or a family, or just the sheer overwhelming number of flowers. Iridescent carpets of colour stretch towards the horizon as far as the eye can see. Although August is usually the best time, September can be good, too.

17. Take a horseback safari: If you're pretty competent, try Wait a Little or Equus in Limpopo Province, but beginners can still enjoy the thrill of seeing big game on horseback with Horseback Africa, near Cullinan, or Aquila, near Cape Town. www.equus.co.za

18. Go on a boat-based whale watching trip: There's something to see almost any time of year, but between June and November the southern right whales hanging around between Cape Town and the Garden Route offer the most dependable viewing. Other species regularly sighted around the coast are humpback whales and Brydes whales, and even orcas and sperm whales have been seen on occasion. www.oceansafaris.co.za

19. Watch nesting turtles in Maputaland: These huge reptiles are so graceful underwater, but when Mama turtle comes ashore to lay eggs between November and January, she lumbers up the beach in a fashion that is certainly dignified but can't, by any stretch of the imagination, be called graceful. And when the babies hatch in February or March, the only adjective that will fit is cute. Guided walks are offered along the beaches between November and March. www.kzbwildlife.com

20. Go wine-tasting on horseback: In theory you don't have to watch how much you swallow as - let's face it - most of us aren't really in control, anyway. The horse just follows its nose until it finds itself back at the stables. www.horsetrails-sa.co.za

21. Abseil off Table Mountain: It's not the highest abseil in the world, but it is very exposed. The actual abseil is just over 100m, but you're hanging out more than a km above the city. www.abseilafrica.co.za

22. Bungee jump off the Bloukrans Bridge: It is the highest in the world - 216m - and it's a real scream machine. Other attractions on this bridge include a flying fox, a bridge tour and a winch experience - you get to hang underneath the bridge without jumping. www.faceadrenalin.com

23. Spend some time really looking at rock art: The northern Cedarberg, just over two hours north of Cape Town, has some of the most easily accessible and best documented rock art around. If you're in a position to splurge out on a luxury game lodge experience, stay at Bushmanskloof, where you'll be pampered and taken on escorted rock art tours. If, however, you'd rather watch your budget, Traveller's Rest, next door, is an inexpensive self-catering establishment that offers access to the equally spectacular rock art on the Sevilla Trail. You won't be accompanied by a hunky game ranger, but you can buy an inexpensive map and explanatory guidebook. www.bushmanskloof.co.za

24. Ride with the herd at Kaapsehoop: This fabulous, misty, mountainous landscape is home to what is probably the largest herd of feral horses in South Africa. They'll often join up and spend some time with the domestic horses (and riders, of course) on an escorted horse trail. You also stand a good chance of seeing the rare and endangered blue swallow. www.horsebacktrails.co.za

25. Eat seafood at Muisbosskerm: This was the first of the West Coast seaside seafood "restaurants". It's a simple shelter, with a sand floor. All cooking is done on an open fire and "cutlery" is of the Strandloper variety - usually mussel shells. Not the place to wear your finest outfit and you'll probably ditch your shoes for the whole duration of the meal. Arrive hungry and set aside a few hours. www.muisbosskerm.co.za

• Next week we will run the next 25 of Jennifer Stern's list of 50 things to do in South Africa.

This article was originally published on page 12 of Saturday Star on April 24, 2006 http://www.iol.co.za

Fly Taxpayer Express

South African Airways’s (SAA) cost structure, twice that of budget airlines, prevents it from competing against low-cost carriers, meaning that its stated intent of entering this market will ultimately be at the taxpayer’s expense.

SAA will enter the budget market, which has grown 44% in four years, by year-end. 1-Time and kulula.com budget carriers are crying foul, saying it stands to rack up losses and will need another bail out by its shareholder, the state.

A competitor says one reason SAA’s costs are so high is because it employs 800 pilots to fly 60 planes, nearly 15 per plane. The budget carriers say ballooning airplane lease agreements and huge pilot salaries will restrict SAA’s new budget airline from competing on a cost-effective basis.

Read more here... http://www.mg.co.za

From petrol power to pedal power

Minibus taxis, referred to as "matatus", have long been a ubiquitous feature of the Kenyan landscape, providing transport in cities -- and linking urban and rural areas. Matatu owners know taxis are often the sole means of transport for people, many of whom are too impoverished ever to own a car. But, while this scenario is still in effect in many parts of the East African country, a revolution is under way in western Kenya: bicycle taxis are replacing motorised vehicles, their passengers perched on padded seats positioned above the back wheel.

Read more here... http://www.mg.co.za

Tsotsi was turned down by SABC and NFVF

Both the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) -- principal providers of scarce funds to the film industry -- turned down the Oscar-winning movie Tsotsi several times when approached by its producers, the Mail & Guardian has learned. However, the producers’ bargaining position has been greatly strengthened by garnering the Academy Award.

Read more here... http://www.mg.co.za

Cops get their men - with speed

Fast police action saw six men being arrested just outside Cape Town International Airport for robbing a businessman in Bellville of R16 000. Matilda Hayes of Stellenbosch drove past the scene on her way to drop foreign guests at the airport when she saw police arresting the suspects. She said: "Crime is keeping a lot of people from coming to South Africa. The positive result of the arrest was that my guests could see the police doing something about crime," she said.

Read more here... http://www.mweb.co.za/

Kids not leaving the nest?

Many South African families find themselves in the situation where grownup children are still living at home. This article is not for those families where this is a temporary arrangement, owing to a sudden divorce, illness or children being between jobs or flats. This article is for those families whose 30-year-old working son or daughter wouldn’t know where to pay an electricity account, how to boil an egg and that dirty socks and towels do not get up off the bathroom floor by themselves.

Read all the signs that your goodwill is being abused here... http://www.health24.com

The Legal Beagle TOP

Nothing to report.

Help Desk TOP

Nobody requested help.

Where are they now? TOP

Nobody is searching for anyone it seems.

Club and Other News TOP

No news received.

Humour TOP

Sent by Maureen Cram:

When two egotists meet, it's an I for an I.

A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two-tired.

What's the definition of a will? (Come on, it's a dead giveaway!)

A backwards poet writes inverse.

In democracy your vote counts. In feudalism, your count votes.

----------

Golf course accident

Two women were playing golf. One teed off and watched in horror as her ball headed directly toward a "four some" of men playing the next hole. The ball hit one of the men. He immediately clasped his hands together at his groin, fell to the ground and proceeded to roll around in agony.

The woman rushed down to the man, and began to apologize. "Please allow me to help. I'm a physio therapist and I know I could relieve your pain if you'd allow me," she told him.

"Oh, no, I'll be all right. I'll be fine in a few minutes," the man replied. He was in obvious agony, lying in the fetal position, still clasping his hands together at his groin.

At her persistence, however, he finally allowed her to help. She gently took his hands away and laid them to the side, loosened his pants and put her hands inside.

She administered tender and artful massage for several long moments and asked, "How does that feel?"

He replied, "It feels great, but my thumb still hurts like hell."

Recipes TOP

Brandy tart

Just what's needed for a cold winter's evening in front of the fire!

Preparation time: 15 min
Cooking time: 12-20 min

Ingredients
BATTER

250 g dates, stoned and finely chopped
5 ml bicarbonate of soda
250 ml boiling water
110 g butter
140 g white sugar
2 extra-large eggs
180 g cake flour
10 ml baking powder
pinch salt
50 g pecan nuts, chopped
SYRUP
200 g white sugar
250 ml boiling water
15 ml butter
125 ml brandy
5 ml vanilla essence

Method:
Spray a 1,5 litre angel cake tin or a flat pie dish with non-stick spray and line the bottom with paper towelling.
Mix the dates, bicarbonate of soda and boiling water and leave for at least 5 minutes.
Cream the butter and sugar until pale and add the eggs, beating well.
Sift the dry ingredients together and then sift the dry mixture over the butter mixture before folding it in.
Add the nuts and date mixture and mix.
Turn the batter into the prepared tin and place on an upturned saucer in the microwave oven.
Microwave for about 12 minutes on 70 per cent power or until the tart has shrunk slightly from the sides of the tin and a cocktail stick comes out clean when inserted into the tart.
Prick the tart all over the top with a cocktail stick.
Add the sugar to the boiling water and microwave at 100 per cent power until the mixture comes to the boil.
Stir frequently to ensure the sugar has dissolved before the syrup comes to the boil.
Boil for 5 minutes, add the remaining syrup ingredients and pour over the hot tart. Serve while still lukewarm or cold with cream. Makes a large tart.

From YOU - September 09, 1993 http://www.food24.com

Sports News TOP

Two double golds for SA

South Africa's Oscar Pistorius and Natalie du Toit both won double gold at the Visa Paralympic World Cup in Manchester this weekend.

Pistorius won gold in the T44 100 and 200m during Sunday's athletics events, while Du Toit smashed two world records in the pool on Saturday.

In the 200m, Pistorius had trouble with his prosthetic legs during the race but still managed to take first place in a time of 24.11 seconds. He added another gold medal in the 100m, winning in a time of 11.87 seconds.

Read more here... http://www.news24.com/

Smith: SA battle-hardened

Graeme Smith led what he described as a battle-hardened South African team to a four-wicket win over New Zealand on the third day of the third and final Test at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.

Smith made his second half-century of a low-scoring match as South Africa needed only 47.3 overs to reach a victory target of 217 and clinch a 2-0 series victory.

The series win took South Africa to fifth place on the International Cricket Council's ranking list, swopping positions with New Zealand.

Read more here... http://www.news24.com

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Reader's Interests or Hobbies TOP

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Credits and Contact Info TOP

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Disclaimer TOP

The editors, publishers, directors and shareholders of Maesti Web Consulting (being the holding company that publishes SAW) place on record that opinions and comment published in this newsletter are those of the authors, contributors and correspondents.

It should not be construed that we agree or disagree with any of the material. All information about events is published in good faith as received from the correspondents.

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