The Community News
Published by the Walkerville Agricultural Society - Sep / October 2011 Issue 72
A SOUTHERNER - AND PROUD OF IT!
by Irene Strydom
I have lived in the Eikenhof valley since 1969. The old saying of “there’s no place like home” sure fits this bill. I became involved in the various CPF sub-structures about 6 years ago, and in so doing my eyes were opened to how amazing our community actually is.
Our station covers an area of approximately 500km2, with various demographic challenges - from informal settlements to agricultural plots to large farms.
Our station tries to maintain the quota of two vehicles for each of our 4 sectors. However, as we all know this is not always possible and in this light, we are fortunate to have a community that is passionate in its drive against crime. There are various role players in this regard. We have M.E.C. Patrollers, Neighbourhood & Block Watches and then we also have the more specialised Community Police Patrollers and Victim Empowerment Volunteers.
At present we have approximately 60 trained and registered M.E.C. Patrollers. In the last two months another 48 potential recruits have put their names forward. This group emanates from the Sweetwater area, where they already help the community where they can i.e. escorting people to and fro from the Taxi ranks during dark hours. However, small items like reflective vests, ID cards & torches are always a necessity in helping with these endeavours.
The Community Police is run on a more formal level. The Community Police Patrollers currently boast a number of approximately 250 members, growing monthly. These members are in various stages of training. The extensive training given to this sector covers a broad spectrum of requirements when out in the field.
The Victim Empowerment (VE) Programme currently has a number of signed up members. They comprise of men and women, majority of which are also active patrollers. Our community and station formed a partnership in setting up the VE Trauma Room at the station. The trauma room enables victims to be taken to a quiet and secluded area to have their statements taken. There is also a play area for children as well as kitchen and bathroom facilities. When taking a victim to this room we hope in giving back a little bit of comfort and dignity in their time of having to deal with whatever trauma they had experienced.
To my knowledge, the entire area of plots and farms, from De Deur through to Eikenhof, now have operational crime watch sub-forums, with the exception of certain small pockets of farms. However, we have to remember that, the degree of patrols undertaken in different areas, depend on the amount of active community members. The more members, the more often patrols can be done, the more visibility you create which, at the end of the day, drives the criminal elements to other areas.
The social crime prevention team, together with members of the Community partakes in various projects throughout the year. For MADIBA BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS, SAPS De Deur, Sedibeng Municipality, Correctional Services, Department of Health ad Social Services, Youth Desk and Social Crime Unit, visited a refugee shelter in De Deur, food parcels, blankets, clothing, etc. was handed to the 37 refugees residing there. Every person was given their own new soft blanket. Necessary steps have already been initiated in getting the children registered to enable them to attend school. A mobile clinic will also be doing a visit to ensure immunizations are done. As a group effort we also hold a Children’s Christmas Party at which selected non-profitable children homes in the area are beneficiaries of gifts. Midvaal Council has also been a role player in supporting these events. Once a year the entire Community Policing team assists De Deur & Meyerton SAPS in policing the Midvaal Makiti. During July, CPF took delivery of a large amount of blankets from Jakaranda Radio Station. These blankets were handed out to various places/people that were identified by local community leaders. Blankets were also handed over to the Meyerton Fire Department to help them when needing to assist families that have had all their possessions destroyed in shack fires. Jakaranda Radio gave us the opportunity of taking a second batch of blankets, which were handed over and distributed by the Community Police. Once again the needy were identified and assisted as far as possible. We also have a variety of clothing which is distributed from the VE centre. All the clothing and toys are kindly donated by members of the community.
In closing off, you surely have to feel the way I do, PROUD TO BE A SOUTHERNER. Our community has achieved what many areas wish to. We have a strong relationship with our police station, however mutual understanding and respect are the key ingredients to this partnership. Let us continue to grow in strength, as together, WE CAN FIGHT CRIME. Should you want to become a part of this vital structure and be part of making a different in our area, please feel free to contact me on: bdigrafix@telkomsa.net. Or enjoy viewing the gallery for the Community Police on: www.communitypolice.co.za or read through numerous events that have taken place in your area.
Irene Strydom is the newly elected CPF Chairperson. A dedicated lady who has been involved for some years in various local projects as well as the Fire Prevention Association. We wish her every success and strength in the tasks ahead of her.
Editorial
By Elaine Potgieter
I’ve often wondered if men enjoy chats with their male friends as much as woman value their ‘girl friends’? You never see men engaged in deep conversation with their buddies - their talk seems to revolve around sports, cars, sports, braai’s, and more sports with lots of loud banter and laughter. Oh and the odd silly but very dirty joke thrown in for good measure. I’m sure that when we ladies are not listening they discuss really serious stuff like sex, sport and money … or probably the lack thereof.
We girls on the other hand discuss anything and everything. It does not have to be important, it simply has to cross our minds and we can turn it into a 3 hour conversation. If there’s loud banter and laughter coming from a group of women you KNOW they are talking about sex. If it’s a deep conversation it’s about money. Lots of silly jokes means they are talking about sport, or more accurately about men and their unfathomable love of sports!
My husband once commented that my conversations with a close gay male friend were always very animated to which I replied “yes dear, because he knows everything about fashion, home décor and fantastic recipes and bugger all about rugby, golf, cricket, tennis or soccer!”
(Just kidding Guys!)
Bits & Pieces
Speedway Race Dates
Our Race Calendar for 2011 (all races at Walkerville, unless otherwise specified)
Races start at 12h30. Entry at the gate is R20 per person, children under 12 are free. Plenty of secure parking. Restaurant & Pub onsite, as well as take-away outlet for drinks & food (please note the premises are licensed!)
2nd October – Golden Helmet /Silver Sash
30th October – Walkerville Regional Final
5th November (SATURDAY) – Syndicate Sidewinder Bash (R50 entry fee)
27th November – Memorial meeting
11th December – Walkerville National Final
(Future dates will be posted later on this website, also check with our official website www.speedwaysouthafrica.co.za. For further details and information e-mail mackie.magill@gmx.com or pat@wispeco.co.za. Walkerville Show Grounds - GPS co-ordinates 27.963395/-26.404879
Annual Conservancy Fair
Bookings for stalls for our Annual Conservancy Fair are now open. Contact Louise Bosman 083 299 0958. The fair will take place on Sunday 5th November at the Walkerville Showgrounds from 9h00 till late. This is a great event not to be missed! Lots to see and do and great fun for all the family
Letterbox
Letters will be published provided a name and address is supplied. You may use a nom de plume if you wish. Letters that are too scathing or controversial will be printed with a reply from the second party. The Editors may edit material if necessary. Write to Box 861 Walkerville 1876, or e-mail info@walkervillesa.co.za.
Dear Editors,
I’d just like to say thank you to the editor for all she does to keep the residents of Walkerville informed. Our Community News, Walkerville website and e-mail service make me feel like a member of a very big family! She will be sorely missed when she moves to the OFS.
MM—Walkerville
Dear MM,
Thank you and all the other people who sent e-mails of thanks and support. It has been a pleasure to keep Walkerville informed but I think my editorial was misunderstood. I am not planning on leaving Walkerville for many years. I have only retired as a committee member of the Agricultural Society which means I shall give up the Community News. I will keep on doing the e-mail service and website for a while, or at least until another volunteer comes forward to take over the job. I look forward to many years of long chats with everyone at the local shops and catching up with the gossip! Although we spend a fair amount of time in Kestell now, Drumblade remains our home.
Dear Editors
I would just like people to know that my daughter and 2 of her friends all in matric at Potch Girls had their car broken into at one of our local pubs one Friday night at about 10pm. There was no security guard and apparently 2 other cars were also broken into, all in the parking lot. The kids are devastated as their handbags, cellphones and ID documents were stolen - the passenger window was entirely smashed. When they told the barman - he apparently stated that cars get broken into every Friday night. Would like to pass this warning on to all the young people in Walkerville who frequent the local spots on the weekend.
M P—Walkerville
Dear MP
Thanks for the warning. There was also an attempted hi-jacking on the Randvaal Road a few weeks ago. As we get closer to Christmas crime increases so we should all be vigilant and keep our eyes and ears open
Dear Editors,
The new rumble strips on the treacherous bend near Thyme Square are indeed a good idea. Hopefully they will reduce the number of terrible accidents that occur. Unfortunately some idiots find them an inconvenience and drive on the wrong side of the road to avoid them, which surely cause even more horrific accidents to happen.
LM—Blignautsrus
Dear LM,
There is just no excuse for the stupidity of some people!
Die Boeretroos Hoekie
deur John Stephens
Dagsê Boere,
Toe loop ek nou die dag die boekie : Die Neethlings in Suid-Afrika deur E.M. Neethling, in ons genealogiebiblioteek raak. Die boekie behandel die hele Neethling-familie maar ons stel eintlik meer belang in wat genoem word Die Eikenhoftak van Transvaal.
Hierdie tak het sy oorsprong by Hendrik Ludolph Neethling, van die tweede geslag Neethlings, in Kaapstad gedoop 9 Oktober 1763. Hy sterf op 4 Februarie1822, te Stellenbosch. Op 30 November 1783 trou hy met Johanna Jacoba Wium. Sy is gedoop op 5 April 1767 en sterf op 13 Oktober 1836. Hulle seun, Christiaan Ludolph Neethling, gedoop 27 Julie 1783, sterf 1845, trou op 3 Desember 1814 te Stellenbosch met Martha Margaretha Joubert. In Mei 1816 trou hy na sy eerste vrou se dood, in die Paarl met Maria Elisabeth Bosman.
Hulle word die ouers van ons Christiaan Ludolph Neethling, gebore 4 Junie 1835, gedoop te Stellenbosch op 12 Julie 1835. Hy trou 16 Junie 1858 in Graaff-Reinet met Maria Magdalena Johanna Zinn, gebore 5 Maart 1838 te Graaff-Reinet; sy sterf op 18 Mei 1902 te Eikenhof. Sy beroep word aangegee as wamaker en boer. In 1863 trek hulle na Potchefstroom en in 1868 na Eikenhof. Hy is die stigter van Eikenhof en word Volksraadslid vir Heidelberg. Hy en sy seuns neem deel aan die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog en hy word as krygsgevangene na Ceylon gestuur. Christiaan Neethling is hier in Eikenhof oorlede en begrawe. Sy sterfdatum word aangegee as 19 Julie 1907.
Hulle seun Christiaan Ludolph Neethling is gebore op 26 November 1861, te Graaff-Reinet. Hy is hier in Eikenhof begrawe nadat hy op 4 April 1932 hier sterf. Sy vrou was Anna Jacoba Toerien, gebore 15 Januarie 1864 en oorlede op 22 Julie 1944. Sy is ook hier begrawe. Hulle seun is ook die naamgenoot Christiaan Ludolph Neethling, gebore 22 Februarie 1892, getroud met Rachel Jacoba Krige op 20 Februarie 1918. Haar geboortedatum is 12 Mei 1896. Hy sterf op 28 Februarie 1923. Die volgende naamgenoot, hulle seun, Christiaan Ludolph Neethling is op 2 Januarie 1921 gebore, trou op 17 November 1951 met Martha Magdalena Venter. Sy is op 1 Julie 1933 gebore. Hy was byna twee jaar oud toe sy Pa sterf. Hulle seun, Christiaan Ludolph Neethling, gebore 14 Julie 1959 is die laaste in die lyn van die stigter van Eikenhof se naamgenote soos opgeteken in hierdie boekie.
Maar ‘n geskiedenis van die Eikenhofse Neethlings sal beslis nie volledig wees sonder dat daar melding gemaak word van die twee susters wat op dieselfde dag, 29 Augustus 1898 hier gesterf het nie. Henrietta Johanna (Etta) Neethling, gebore 18 Julie 1880 en haar jonger suster Johanna Cecilia (Hannie) Neethling, gebore 15 Februarie 1882. Laasgenoemde was die verloofde nooientjie van die grootste Boerespioen, Danie Theron. Daniel Johannes Theron, gebore in Tulbagh op 9 Mei 1872; sterf as ‘n held op 5 September 1900 en word langs sy Hannie Neethling herbegrawe in 1903.
Inwoners van Eikenhof kan met reg trots wees op die stigter van Eikenhof en elkeen wat die stamnaam verder gedra het.
Hier sluit ek eers af met die wete dat ek uiteindelik reg laat geskied het met die weergee van ‘n vollediger geskiedenis oor die Neethlingtak van Eikenhof. So groet ek dus tot ‘n volgende keer, DV.
Conservation Corner
by Ivan Parkes
Any questions you have about conservation and local wildlife may be e-mailed to ivan@thorntree.co.za and we will do our best to find the answer for you
Some Tips for Saving Water and Money
Remember that you pay for water used and wasted! Excuse the pun, but why throw good money down the drain! These simple tips will help you save on your water bill.
Regularly check for leaks in pipes, taps, and washing machine and dishwasher connections and hoses. This can save a lot of water. A 'small' leak can waste thousands of litres a month.
Save a litre of water every time a toilet is flushed in your house – just by putting a one litre plastic coke bottle filled with water or sand in each of your water toilet cisterns.
Putting the plug in the sink when you rinse dishes, fruit and vegetables is a great way to save water in the home. Rinsing in running water is very water wasteful.
Installing water efficient taps and shower heads can save a LOT of water.
Replace tap washers as soon the tap starts dripping. Turn the tap off gently and the washers will last longer.
Do not wash your hands under running water. To save water in your home, remember to 'plug in'.
Brushing your teeth? Rinse with a glass of water. Also in the bathroom, rinse your razor in a mug or plugged basin – never under running water.
In the kitchen, thaw frozen stuff by soaking in a basin, not under a running tap.
Buying a dishwasher? Buy a water-efficient appliance. Some dishwaters use as little as 18 litres. Others up to 40 litres of water. And wait until your dishwasher is full before running.
Don't run the tap until the cool water comes through to drink. Store cold water in the refrigerator.
Save water (and electricity) with washing machines – only run full loads, and check the lint filter regularly.
Pool covers reduce evaporation and the amount of water you need to keep your pool full and running efficiently.
Wash your car with buckets of water, not a continuously running hosepipe.
Buy a rainwater storage tank and drastically reduce the water you buy from the municipality.
Down Country Roads
by Louise Southey
The Woesie’s Survival Guide To Winter Yoga Classes
‘WOESIE” - colloquial term for a ninny, a weakling, one who is unable to withstand cold. Of utmost importance is dressing!
This means a minimum of 3 layers of clothing. The first layer should comprise a close fitting body suit or leggings and vest (lose clothing allows cold air to come in contact with the body!) Leg warmers are worn over the lycra suit/pants to protect the ankles when being gripped by icy hands during Uttanasa. A fluffy track suit, or stretch pants and fleece top is then donned over the first layer. Thick socks, boots, gloves, scarf and windproof padded jacket complete the ensemble.
Some of these layers may be removed as the lesson progresses but timing is critical: for instance the outer jacket should be retained until after the introductory reading (this impedes Garudasana arms during the warm up for shoulders but it’s worth the inconvenience.) In extreme conditions the second layer may be left in place until the body begins to thaw. The hood of the fleecy top will flop over your head on the first Surya Namaskar – this is most welcome as it allows the warm breath to take the chill out of the cheeks. On no account may the scarf be taken off during the lesson (ever seen how ugly goose bumps on the neck are?) Just tuck it in at the neck and hope nobody notices your distorted chest….. When the socks absolutely HAVE to come off, a pair of ‘slipper sox’ with rubber on the bottom must be kept handy. Quickly pulling them on will prevent frost-bite when you are forced to leave your mat and cross the frozen floor tiles. They are also most helpful in keeping the foot in place during Vrksasana.
Next in importance is selecting your spot in the Yoga room; it should be well away from draughty doors and windows, in the patch of weak sun that penetrates the room or as close to the heater as possible. It’s also advisable to lurk at the back of the class somewhere. This has two advantages: the meter high pile of equipment that you bring in does not hinder other Yogins and you just may be able to get away with keeping the slipper sox on when you return to your mat after Sirsasana. Sadly, Instructors are now wise to this move and watch for offenders….. However, when they see severely cyanosed feet they are often compassionate enough to allow socks to be worn for seated postures!
It goes without saying that your tender body requires the protection of at least 2 Yoga mats between you and the Arctic floor. Another very useful item is the electric hot water bottle (which can be surreptitiously plugged in to the wall socket at the back of the room.) This is essential to thaw the hands out after a visit to the toilet where the water has barely managed to remain in liquid form! As the hot water bottle retains heat for over an hour it can be utilized during Pranayama too. This device, along with your extra blanket and mat, another warm top and four foams, requires an additional Yoga bag. When arriving at Yoga, the Woesie is often compared to a Sherpa and a shopping trolley has been suggested…
The relative inertia of Sarvangasana causes a bout of shivering and so for Pranayama, the layers are quickly added on again so that circulation is gradually restored. Relaxation is impossible with a cold body so careful preparations must be made for Savasana. The four foams are placed lengthwise in the centre of the mat to prevent cold seeping up from the floor. This necessitates placing the head on a block (a soft woesie block of course!) to achieve Jalandara Bandha. The larger blanket is folded open on top of the foams and the body is laid down on it and enveloped in the top layer of the blanket. The hands clutch the hot water bottle to the chest to extract the last bit of warmth. This and the extra blanket which is placed over the upper body, prevents moisture from the frozen breath from settling onto the vulnerable chest. And as the Woesie relaxes, the chattering of her teeth subsides and she smiles and thinks “Next winter I must remember to wear my beanie ....”
How to cope with Stress
by Joe Januario
“Do you ever wonder how you got in the habit of doing something? Watching too much television? Eating too much junk food?
Maybe it's even a healthy habit, like going for a run after school every day. What all these have in common is that they are efforts to reduce stress in our lives.
Stress can be a major cause of health problems. The question is whether your coping strategy is helping or hurting. If it's unhealthy, you should consider a shift to one that's healthy.
Some people deal with stress by eating, which can lead to overeating. Some people turn to drinking, which is fine as long as it's done in moderation. Some people withdraw socially and isolate themselves. Others vent, dumping their troubles on everyone around them. And then there are those who spend most of their waking free time in front of the TV.
Try exercise and humour (like laughing at something that's bothering you) as healthy coping techniques. Avoid overuse of alcohol, food or drugs, or withdrawal, self-pity and blaming others.
One sure way to beat stress is exercise. Not only will you reduce stress, you'll also help your heart and lungs and otherwise improve your health.” (Susan Erasmus, Health24, June 2010)
All of the above may be great suggestions, but that is for city folk. We may be faced with the same daily challenges and pressures of the modern world but we have an advantage, we live in the country, we live in Walkerville.
We come home to peace and tranquillity. We sit outside under a tree, watch the sunset or just listen to the chirping of the birds and all our stress melts away.
Summer is fast approaching and as the days get longer we have more time to enjoy our surroundings. Let’s appreciate what we may have been taking for granted. Let’s remind ourselves why we moved to Walkerville.