Velddrif News/Nuus

Verlorenvlei Coalition welcomes tough stance against mining companies who do not deliver

2011-10-08T23:16:00.001+02:00

The Verlorenvlei Coalition has welcomed the tough action by Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu’s in deciding to revoke mining rights for the Central Rand Gold mine.

According to reports, Minister Shabangu found the mine’s ability to deliver on its promises of, amongst others, a work and social labour programme unsatisfactory and served papers in this respect to Central Rand Gold mine’s offices on Monday, 27 September 2011.

“We are encouraged by the Minister’s actions and we hope that the department will not only apply such vigorous scrutiny to current mining activities but also endeavour to prevent the granting of applications that are unviable from the beginning,” says Malie Grutter, spokesperson for the Verlorenvlei Coalition, in a media release issued at the end of September

The Verlorenvlei Coalition represents the broader community of Moutonshoek and Verlorenvlei, 50 kilometres north-west of Piketberg in the Western Cape in their struggle against Bongani Minerals (Pty) Ltd., an unknown mining entity that has been granted the right to prospect for tungsten in the agricultural hub of Moutonshoek.

“While an appeal is still under review by the department, we are of the opinion that Bongani Minerals does not have the financial or technical resources to deliver what they have outlined to the ministry in their application,” Grutter concludes.

Furthermore, in a manner that mimics the Central Rand Gold situation, the ability of the deposit to deliver to the expectations that Bongani Minerals has set is also in dispute, with information indicating that it ranks nowhere near the exaggerated international status that Bongani Mineral’s Director, Johannes van der Walt has assigned to it.

Issued by HWB Communications (Pty) Ltd. on behalf of the Verlorenvlei Coalition. For more information, please contact Lynn Erasmus, tel (021) 462 0416 or (082) 512 0558.
lynn@hwb.co.za

www.hwb.co.za

Vlieger van Harry Kalmer op die verhoog

2011-10-02T15:36:00.001+02:00

VLIEGER met BEN KRUGER gaan Aardklop toe!

Teks en regie: Harry Kalmer

Gehore landswyd kan hulle self regmaak vir ‘n lekkerlag vertoning met die toneelstuk Vlieger Unplugged met Ben Kruger as Vlieger. En vir ‘n aand vol nostalgie en onthou.

Vir langer as 2 jaar vermaak Harry Kalmer se bekroonde Vlieger kortverhale Rapport-lesers. En nou kry teatergangers die geleentheid om te sien hoe hierdie stories lewendig word in ‘n multi-media vertoning. Die opvoering is gelaai met musiek, beelde en herinneringe uit die 1970’s. Van broers en boyfriends oppad grens toe tot by Frank ‘n Furter in die Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Die bekende skrywer Dana Snyman het Vlieger alreeds tot volksheld verklaar. En die Volksblad het gesê die opvoering voer jou terug na die 1970’s en 80’s toe die werêld heeltemal anders was as vandag.

Die vertoning vermaak gehore al sedert Februarie landswyd en is ‘n geleentheid om een van Suid-Afrika se top akteurs (oom Gert van 7de laan) sy beste op die verhoog te sien lewer.

“Ouer mense kom kyk wat hulle kinders destyds aangevang het. Die kinders kom herleef daardie onskuldige tyd van garage partytjies en skelm vry,” lag Ben. “En die kinders se kinders kom ervaar ‘n werêld wat hulle nooit geken het nie. My seuns in hulle twintigs en Harry se tieners was mal daaroor. “

Ons staan elke keer verstom hoe mense reageer. Maak nie saak of dit in Pretoria of die Kaap is nie, almal kry iets daaruit,” sê Harry.

Mense, gaan kyk asseblief Vlieger en raak met deernis geroer so tussen die skerp komedie deur. Kalmer se skryfkuns is uniek in Afrikaans. Met Ben Kruger op die verhoog kry Vlieger asem wat jou deur die onskuld van die jong man, sy eerste ‘gewaarwordinge’, daardie eerste liefde wat jou laat bewe as jy aan jou meisie se hand vat tot by die garagedans neem. Die laaste toneel pluk jou hartsnare. Ons was almal daar. Nico Luwes – Volksblad

Vir besprekings landswyd kontak gerus vir Bev Maritz by 021 553 1092 / 083 504 3665 of bev@genugtig.co.za

Volgende optredes:

Aardklop – Potchefstroom: 4 tot 7 Okt 2011 @ POK hoofsaal, besprekings by Computicket

Sailing event at Port Owen

2011-09-28T07:51:00.004+02:00

The Extra Nationals will be hosted by Port Owen Yacht Club in Velddrif from 14 to 16 October 2011. This sailing event will take place outside the river mouth in the bay, in small, one-person boats called Extra’s. Launching will be straight off the beach at the harbour entrance, so those who are late won't have to sail against the current. Catering will be taken care of by POYC, including lunchpacks. More details will be announced on the facebook page (see link below).

Velddrif has lots to offer for visitors during the event. Browse on Velddrif News for information. Recommended blog posts for info:

River Art Route: http://velddrifnews.blogspot.com/2011/07/artist-depicts-spirit-and-soul-of-west.html

Snuffel Velddrif se lekker kuierplekke uit: http://velddrifnews.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-07-20T20%3A58%3A00%2B02%3A00&max-results=10

Classic Touch Framing and Craft Shop: http://velddrifnews.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-07-20T20%3A58%3A00%2B02%3A00&max-results=10

Also look through the "Popular Posts" section of the blog for items that might interest you, or browse the alphabetical list under "Labels".

Garmin has kindly sponsored some discount vouchers for the event. Visit their online store in the meantime at www.garminonline.co.za .

Also on the cards are some goodies and rash vests from Second Skins (www.secondskins.co.za). They have some really useful thermal gear for sailing. North Sails will be running a special on jibs before the Nationals and the organisers are hoping to get Mobii (www.mobii.co.za) onboard to showcase a few of their units.

More info:

Western Cape race, regattas and events: http://www.gybeset.co.za/sailing-regattas-events/upcoming-regattas/western-cape

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/login/setashome.php?ref=login#!/event.php?eid=213585068681579

Video clip of sailing at Port Owen at the beginning of the year: promo video clip

SEE "WHAT"S HAPPENING" PAGE FOR INFO ON ART COMPETITION FOR CHILDREN IN VELDDRIF.

DIZ FEES, MY 'BRA

2011-09-19T09:23:00.004+02:00

Maak reg vir Piketbreg se Zebrafees propvol vermaak vir die hele gesin. Met kunstenaars soos Burger, Nic Stevens, Jennifer Zamudio, Anke, Viljoen Retief, Nadia Louw en Desmond Wells kan dit net vet pret wees!
     Vanjaar se fees sluit die gewilde Boland Superspar Potjiekoskompetisie, Pikkie Braaikompetisie, hope kindervermaak en kaskenade aktiwiteite, kuns- en vermaakstalletjies, ‘n koffiekroeg, biertent en natuurlik hope watertand kosstalletjies in. Toegang is slegs R15 vir skoolgaande kinders en R30 vir volwassenes.
     ‘n Toevoeging tot vanjaar se fees is die Zebra Pretdraf/Pretstap, ‘n veilige sirkelroete wat toeganklik is vir alle ouderdomme. Vir die minder fikses en die jongspan is daar die 2,5km roete, terwyl die meer ernstige drawwers die 5km kan aanpak. Inskrywings is R5 vir kinders en R15 vir volwassenes, en kan by PHS of op die dag van die wedloop gedoen word. Heerlike pryse is op die spel!
     Die wins van vanjaar se Zebrafees gaan aangewend word vir die PHS Busfonds.
     Die webwerf http://zebrafees.yolasite.com/ noem Boland Super Spar, Liebco Foods, Stephan & Seun Premium Potatoes en PPC Cement as borge.
     Gaan kyk oop vir foto's en inligting wat jou lus maak vir feesvier op facebook, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Zebrafees/172321462833585.

I am moving house and have some stuff to sell:

KILN R7000, POTTERY WHEEL R2000. Call Susan 022 - 783 0438 / 083 467 9388
HOUSE TO RENT: I am also helping my landlord to look for new tenants: Velddrif cottage on panhandle plot in Voortrekker Rd, very private, secluded indigenous garden, two bedrooms, shower, living room, dining room with wood stove, kitchen. Reasonable rental. Call met at numbers given above to have a look at the house.
Pottery-goed te koop: OOND R7000, WIEL R2000. Bel Susan 022 783 9438 / 083 467 9388.

Verlorenvlei Coalition concerned over prospecting decision

2011-09-15T14:24:00.002+02:00

Media release of the Verlorenvlei Coalition regarding the recent comment of the van DMR spokesperson, Bheki Khumalo, that prospecting for tungsten in the valley will continue:

The Verlorenvlei Coalition has expressed its concern about comments from Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) spokesperson, Bheki Khumalo, that minerals prospecting upstream of the Verlorenvlei will go ahead despite the objections they raised in a letter to Minister Susan Shabangu.

The DMR has granted rights to Bongani Minerals to prospect for tungsten in the agricultural hub of Moutonshoek, 50 kilometres north-west of Piketberg in the Western Cape, in spite of research that casts doubt on the viability of the deposit.

Khumalo’s comments have come as a surprise to the Coalition as they are still awaiting a formal response to their letter from the DMR.

“We take note of the department’s claims that it has followed the law to the letter in its award of the prospecting license. However, in addition to our personal letter to the Minister, there is also still a formal appeal pending against the prospecting right. It is therefore premature for the department to pre-empt the outcome of an issue that is still under investigation,” says Malie Grütter, spokesperson for the Verlorenvlei Coalition.

The basis of the formal appeal questions whether Bongani Minerals has sufficiently met all the criteria for the granting of a prospecting license.

The five criteria relating to the granting of an applicant’s prospecting rights are: access to financial resources and technical ability to conduct the prospecting operation; sufficient budget and time to execute the prospecting work programme; that prospecting will not result in unacceptable pollution, ecological degradation and damage to the environment; the ability to comply with the relevant provisions of the Mine Health and Safety Act; and that the applicant is not in contravention of any relevant provisions of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development ( MPRD) Act.

“We are of the opinion that, in this case, the Minister did not make the correct decision in awarding the right,” says Grütter.

Other pertinent matters such as what the land is currently being used for; and the significance of the mineral resource in question, are among many other factors that are not by law considered critical to the decision-making process but that will impact directly on the region.

The small Moutonshoek Valley has a thriving agricultural economy that provides up to 1500 jobs during peak season.

The Krom Antonies River and two fragile aquifers supply the majority of the water used for agriculture in the area and about 60% of the water for the Verlorenvlei. Prospecting and mining activity will fracture these aquifers as it will require digging 200m down into the soil to reach the ore body, seriously compromising the water supply of the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor.

There are also questions about the viability of the tungsten deposit itself. It has been well documented in South Africa and is considered by experts to be hopelessly uneconomical.

The Coalition is determined that, should the appeal against Bongani Minerals’ prospecting right be thoroughly investigated, the correct outcome of the review process can only be that no prospecting and mining in the Moutonshoek and Verlorenvlei valley can be justified.

“Our community has mandated us to pursue all avenues to stop mining in the Verlorenvlei catchment area. Mining simply is not in the region’s best interest,” concludes Grütter.

Issued on 15 September 2011 by HWB Communications (Pty) Ltd. on behalf of the Verlorenvlei Coalition

For more information please contact:

Lynn Erasmus

Tel 021 462 0416 or 082 512 0558

lynn@hwb.co.za

www.hwb.co.za

Time for change

2011-09-12T19:15:00.003+02:00

Hallo, dear Readers

It is time for change. I am moving to Krakeel River, a very small village in the Langkloof area, just outside the town of Joubertina.

What about Velddrif News, I am asked. Well, send me the news, and I'll post it! Email susankemp1@gmail.com, attach pictures or give met contact details to follow up. In this way, Velddrif News could carry even more news of interest.

You might have noticed that I advertise whatever business my friends and myself are involved in, but advertising space is actually available to others as well.

I started the blog on the spur of the moment, because Velddrif does not feature much in the local press, even though a lot of interesting things happen here. According to the statistics, all the inside pages have had more visits than any of the news postings on the Home page. Even the least-read inside page has had more visits than the most-read news posting on the Home page.

The My Views page with my stories get the most visits - almost three times the number of the most popular news posting. Which means that many readers like to visit Velddrif News for more than news.

Now I'll be quiet for a while, but as soon I have a table to set up my computer at the other side, I hope to connect again. I'll post you all some photo's of mountains...

...oops, almost forgot: I have some stuff to sell:

KILN R7000, POTTERY WHEEL R2000. Call Susan 022 - 783 0438 / 083 467 9388

HOUSE TO RENT: I am also helping my landlord to look for new tenants: Velddrif cottage on panhandle plot in Voortrekker Rd, very private, secluded indigenous garden, two bedrooms, shower, living room, dining room with wood stove, kitchen. Reasonable rental. Call met at numbers given above to have a look at the house.

Pottery-goed te koop: OOND R7000, WIEL R2000. Bel Susan 022 783 9438 / 083 467 9388.

///ZEBRA///ZEBRA///ZEBRAFEES///

2011-09-09T08:55:00.005+02:00

GOODS FOR SALE:
KILN R7000, POTTERY WHEEL R2000. Call Susan 022 - 783 0438 / 083 467 9388

HOUSE TO LET: I am helping my landlord to look for new tenants: Velddrif cottage on panhandle plot in Voortrekker Rd, available from OCTOBER. Very private, secluded indigenous garden, two bedrooms, shower, living room, dining room with wood stove, kitchen. Reasonable rental. Call met at 022 783 0438 and 083 467 9388.

POTTERY-GOED TE KOOP:
OOND R7000, WIEL R2000. Bel Susan 022 783 9438 / 083 467 9388.

Lavender Festival 2011

2011-08-30T21:01:00.008+02:00

Time to look forward to the Lavender Festival 2011 on the last weekend of September. The line-up for Friday 30 September and Saturday 1 October include some of Cape Town's most respected musicians.

The weekend features music concerts on Friday and Saturday nights, including artists such as Robin Levetan and his band, the Blundell family, Jamie Jupiter, Reini Adelbert and Dave Ledbetter.

The weekend programme also includes a fun run/walk of 5 km or 12 km, drumming and musical workshops, an art exhibition, and an archaeological walk with John Parkington, professor of anthropology and archeology at the University of Cape Town.

Visit www.lavenderfestival.co.za for the full programme.

ADVERT:
A variety of products in the
BAMBOOBEE series, designed
by Velddrif artist Susan Kemp, is
available at Classic Touch ONLY.

Call Dottie or Ansie
at 022 783 2356 or visit
them at 7 Kerklaan, Velddrif.

Booking is essential, as limited numbers of guests can be accommodated. All bookings must be made through the festival website and tickets must be paid for in advance.

This year, guests will be issued with a coloured arm band, which must be worn in order to attend the concerts and receive meals. For security reasons, this will be strictly enforced and no-one will be allowed in without it.

Go to the website to book your tickets. If you have any trouble with booking please email info@lavenderfestival.co.za.

OPENING OF THE annual art exhibition at STEENBOKSFONTEIN
near Lamberts Bay on the evening of SATURDAY 3 SEPTEMBER!
Google it, you'll find it...

Bergfietsuitdaging nie vir sissies nie

2011-08-22T15:26:00.007+02:00

As jy lus is vir brandboud-opdraandes en oogtraan-afdraandes met enkelbaan-paadjies deur ongerepte natuurskoon, is die Piket-Bo-Berg Bergfietsuitdaging die ding vir jou. Hier word die bergfietsryers van die prettrappers onderskei.

Laasjaar se bergfietsuitdaging op die Bo-Berg.

Hierdie jaarlikse geleentheid, wat op 25 September plaasvind, word deur die Trapkragvereniging (Pedal Power Association) onderskryf.

Volgens Chris Nixon, voormalige SA bergfietskampioen, beproef die roetes beslis die vernuf en uithouvermoë van die ryers en is dit in hierdie stadium 'n uitdagende roete met min gelyke in die Kaapprovinsie. Deelnemers aan die twee hoofroetes van 59 km en 37 km se tyd word aangeteken deur die Trapkragvereniging. Die twee korter roetes van 18 km en 9km onderskeidelik is vir diegene wat nie noodwendig die Cape Epic wil doen nie.

Die doel van die uitdaging is om fondse in te samel vir die gemeenskapsprojekte van die Piket-Bo-Berg Inwonersvereniging. Deidre Eigelaar, voorsitter van die vereniging, sê die gemeenskap besef hy is self vir sy onmiddelikke behoeftes verantwoordelik. "Ons kan die geleentheid benut om fondse te in vir ons gemeenskapsprojekte en ook die Bergfietsuitdaging gebruik om as 'n gemeenskap saam te werk en om saam 'n beter toekoms te help skep.”

Die Bergfietsuitdaging is die enigste geleenheid waarvoor boere in die omgewing hul privaat grond vir die publiek en die fietsryers oopstel. Dit maak die geleentheid besonders, want en die roete gaan deur ongerepte natuurskoon en fynbos.

Die plaasmark op die berg op Saterdag 24 September en die Zebrafees by Hoërskool Piketberg bied vermaak vir alle gaste en besoekers en verseker 'n naweek met 'n eg-plattelandse karakter. Gaan na www.piket-bo-berg.co.za of skakel 022-9145652 vir meer inligting.

Het jy tyd gehad vir vrouedag?

2011-08-09T17:12:00.002+02:00

Jongvroudag, vrouedag, ouvroudag. Ons vier dit elke jaar anders. Ek het 'n paar vriendinne ge-epos om te hoor hoe hulle graag Vrouedag sou wou gedenk. Die meeste van hulle het nie tyd gehad om my te antwoord nie. My een vriendin het voorgestel voor ons hou 'n Tienermeisiedag, wat vroue vroeg al bewus kan maak van hoe spesiaal hulle is en dat vrouwees hulle meer mag gee as hele Weermag. 'n Ander vriendin het ongelukkig 'n afspraak by 'n ginekoloog gehad en op so 'n dag wil jy liewer 'n sak oor jou kop trek. Ja, 'n vrou se dag, en haar lewe, het baie fasette.
Ons het onlangs by ‘n vriendin se verjaarsdag gekoek en getee en gekraai van die lag, en later besin oor hoe die paartie so twintig of dertig jaar gelede sou verloop het. Party van ons was toe twintig, ander dertig; party vroeg ryp, party laat blommetjies. Elkeen het toentertyd op ‘n ander manier hand-uit geruk. Ek het ‘n week verlof gevat en verjaarsdag gevier tot ek nog ‘n week verlof nodig gehad het om daarvan te herstel. Op elke foto in my album het ek ‘n “ek’s-hier-vir-die-bier” glimlag. Ek hang hand-om-die-lyf met die oulikste ouens. Daai tyd het ek so lekker verjaar, ek wou met alle geweld honderd jaar oud word.
Toe het ons uiteenlopende idees gehad van wat 'n lekker verjaarsdag behels het. Vir een was dit toe ook koek en tee, vir ‘n ander was dit ‘n hoed vol giggelkruid, vir ‘n ander ‘n bottel sjampanje (vir party verkieslik ‘n kis sjampanje!); of fliek en ‘n romantiese ete by kerslig, of kuier saam met kinders en familie.
Het jy toe ooit aan Vouedag gedink? Ek was al amper halfpad op pad honderd toe toe ek agtergekom het dat daar iets soos Vrouedag bestaan - omtrent dieselfde tyd dat ek "Women who run with the wolves" gelees het en begin oplet het na wisselende hormoonvlakke. Teen daardie tyd moes ek 'n gebroke en uitgeputte hart al ‘n hele paar keer saam abba, totdat hy weer kans gesien het vir die lewenspad. Dis ook wanneer jy begin mooi werk met jou energie, want dit kom nie meer uit ‘n onuitputbare bron soos jy gedink het nie.
Nou begin jy regtig leef. Jy giggel sonder kruid, gedra jou nes jy wil sonder die bevryding van alkohol, spandeer jou verjaarsdag saam met jou maats want die kinders het hul beurt gehad.
Ek bel gou my vriendin wat my skewe trui vir my regbrei. Ja, sy het gehoor dis al weer Wêreldvrouedag, maar elke dag is mos vrouedag, want vroue dra elke dag die hele wêreld op hul skouers. Ja-nee, ek stem saam. Vra jy vir vroue hoe hulle Vrouedag sou spandeer as hulle die dag kon af hê, hoor jy dadelik van alles wat hulle sou wou doen. Dit lyk vir my of vroue baie besiger sal wees as hulle kan doen wat hulle eintlik graag wil doen, as wat hulle alles doen wat hulle elke dag móét doen.
My vriendin wat voel ons moet 'n Tienerdag vir Vroue hou, wys daarop dat 'n amptelike Vrouedag tog maar deur die politici misbruik word om ter wille van mediablootstelling skynheilige uitsprake te maak, waarop party van ons juig en ander ons koppe skud in wantroue en ongeloof. Die mans piepie hul straaltjie en die vrouens sit op hul tak en sing hul liedjie [en ek ‘n artikel] maar is daar werklik sprake van emansipasie in ons samelewing, vra sy. Die vrou wat byvoorbeeld tot die politiek toetree, verwaarloos dalk haar man en gesin. Het sy dan werklik iets bereik?
Sy vra nog 'n goeie vraag: Is Vrouedag ook bedoel vir die dronkgat-ma wat haar kinders weggooi, vir die vroue wat kaalvoet (en uiterlik onverfynd) oor die Drakensberg getrek het; of is dit 'n oppervakkige instelling wat geleentheid vir lekker koerantopskrifte en tydskrifartikels gee en party vroue die geleentheid bied om 'n paar honderd rand te betaal om 'n fraaie tee in die stadsaal te geniet?
Dit moet tog vir alle vroue wees. Hoe jy dit vier, weerspieël dalk hoe jy die lewe benader, maar ook in watter hoek die lewe jou dalk gedruk het. Vir my was die paar geselsies met my vriendinne die kersie op die koek vir Vrouedag. Net soos op elke ander dag, is dit die kontak met my vriendinne wat my wêreld reg hou. Dit is een van my baie seëninge wat ek getrou tel.

Prospecting rights in Moutonshoek granted

2011-07-29T23:44:00.006+02:00

In a Media Realease dated 22 July 2011, the Verlorenvlei Coalition questions the decision of the Department of Mineral Resources to grant prospecting rights in Moutonshoek, the catchment area of Verlorenvlei. Who really benefits from selling our environment downstream, is the question asked by the Coalition.

The media release states that "affected landowners in the Moutonshoek Valley, farm workers and residents of Redelinghuys, Verlorenvlei and Eland’s Bay on the Cape West Coast are shocked and appalled by news that the Department of Mineral Resources has granted a highly controversial application to prospect for tungsten ore in the headwaters of the ecologically sensitive Verlorenvlei. This extensive estuarine wetland system is registered as a RAMSAR site and an Important Bird Area yet is afforded little environmental protection."

It carries on as follows:

On 1 July 2011 the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) apparently granted Bongani Minerals a right to prospect for tungsten in the catchment of the Verlorenvlei, situated in the West Coast District Municipality and feeding into the sea at Elands Bay, 80 km northwest of Piketberg.

'We don’t even know if this is true," said Dr Bennie van der Merwe, one of the affected landowners. "We’ve had no official notification from the DMR, nor have we had sight of a valid Prospecting Right (PR), Work Programme, or the approved Environmental Management Programme (EMP). Until we have hard evidence, this so-called prospecting right may as well be fictitious."

The Verlorenvlei Coalition, which represents a wide constituency, including residents, landowners, farmworkers, environmentalists, businesses and civic groups, has stated that the Department has made a grave error in awarding the licence, to Bongani Minerals, a company which in the interim has been intimately linked to officials within the DMR. “It is our opinion that the DMR has ignored the material substance of objections raised by ourselves and other concerned parties, and the damning threat which prospecting and eventually possible mining, would bring to the local livelihoods, agriculture, water supply and quality of water in the already water-stressed Sandveld region and the long-term effects this would have on the communities, most of whom are supported by women breadwinners who work on productive farms in the area,” said Malie Grütter, media liaison for the Verlorenvlei Coalition.

Appeal

Landowners and the Verlorenvlei Coalition will now lodge an appeal against the prospecting approval with the Minister, Ms Susan Shabangu. It is their hope that she will engage constructively with their concerns and recommendations.

The disputed mineral deposit is known as Riviera Tungsten, a belt of low grade and widely dispersed tungsten ore in the Moutonshoek Valley. Mining the ore would pose a serious threat to precious water resources (the valley provides 60% of the ecologically sensitive Verlorenvlei’s water). It would require blasting through the Krom Antonies River on the surface and two vital, fragile aquifers.

“Why does it feel like we are being systematically ignored?” asked Ms Grütter. “We are not convinced that the DMR has in fact engaged sufficiently with the objections. This was a highly contestible application – even a simple attribute such as the financial competence to run such an expensive project came in the form of a questionable guarantee signed by some bank manager’s personal assistant! No financial statements, no audits – you wouldn’t even raise a property bond for a small bachelor flat on such a worthless piece of paper.”

Coalition member Dr Herman Grütter, who heads an exploration division of BHP Billiton in Canada, flew to South Africa in July 2010 to present his findings with respect to the lack of financial and geological viability of prospecting (and mining) of Riviera Tungsten. However, despite the Coalition’s repeated requests to do so, they were denied the opportunity to present objections to the RMDEC committee – made up of officials from a variety of departments, including Water Affairs, Agriculture and Cape Nature and chaired by the Regional Manager of the DMR – which could inform the final recommendation to the Minister in regard the granting or refusal of a prospecting right.

“In May 2011 Mr Bheki Khumalo, DMR spokesperson, went on record saying that in 2009 the DMR completely withdrew the mineral rights [to actually mine the same ore deposit and brought by the same applicant] ‘due to environmental concerns’. Where have these concerns disappeared to in the interim?” asked Ms Grütter.

The Coalition is particularly concerned that the granting of this prospecting licence is in flagrant disregard for the policy stance which the DMR took, in earlier similar applications, not to mine valuable agricultural land. Former Director General of the DMR, Adv Sandile Nogxina, was clear in his pronouncement at the time when applications were lodged to prospect in the Cape Winelands. Nogxina said an application to mine land under agricultural production would never be granted as the government had to balance the interests of the exploitation of mineral resources with food security.

Irregular procedures

Procedurally this latest prospecting application remains suspicious. In September last year, the Regional Manager of the DMR in the Western Cape, Mr Sivuyile Mpakane, attempted to convene a meeting between Bongani Minerals and the affected landowners – who are also objectors to the application – to discuss Bongani ‘s prospecting application and in particular, the ‘the way forward’ in terms of ‘recommendations for a revised prospecting plan’. This seemed highly irregular, as the outcome of the application had not at that stage been finalised, which made this look like a thinly veiled attempt to push through the application.

Then there was the farcical outcome of attempts to get sight of the Western Cape DMR’s recommendation to the Minister in respect of this prospecting application. After numerous failed attempts by landowners and the Verlorenvlei Coalition to gain access to the minutes of a RMDEC meeting held on 28 July 2010 to discuss the terms of this application, the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) finally made a successful application under the Public Access to Information Act (PAIA), which was granted in February 2011. However, when a CER representative presented this notice to the Western Cape DMR in March 2011, she was eventually dismissed by a public official with the excuse that the minutes were ‘of a sensitive nature’ and were not going to be released , despite the directive from the National DMR. In addition, the public official initially refused to give his name, which CER’s representative politely requested in order to follow up the failed outcome of her visit.

“We have, through our legal counsel Adv Martin Coetzee, requested reasons from the Minister for the granting of this licence. What is going on here? How is it that Bongani Minerals so consistently, since 2005, manages to cling on to this mineral right?” commented Ms Grütter.

Bongani Minerals is after all a company with no mining infrastructure or experience – in fact, no assets at all – all it seems to have going for it are three rather influential BEE partners. Two of these, Trevor Pikwane and Phemelo Sehunelo – have independently been under the spotlight in the media and linked to controversial deals.

History

Bongani Mineral’s first application to prospect was refused on grounds of potential for pollution. In 2006 Bongani again brought an application to prospect. This time the licence was granted but was challenged by a judicial review brought on procedural grounds. This right lapsed before the review could go ahead but not before Bongani Minerals lodged a premature mining right application in 2009, based on the technicality that they still owned the prospecting right for the Riviera Tungsten.

[This application was recently brought into disrepute by the fact that the acting Regional Manager who presided over this application at the time, Ms Duduzile Sibongile Kunene, was the girlfriend of one of the directors of Bongani Minerals, Phemelo Sehunelo. In fact, their commonly owned property in Eldoraigne was registered on 21 April 2009, barely a month after the mining right application was lodged with the Western Cape DMR on 25 March 2009. Ms Kunene had taken office a month before this application was lodged. ]

For more information, please contact:

Malie Grutter
VC Medial liason
083 296 4178
malie@cape.co.za

Dr Bennie van der Merwe
Affected landowner and VC Chairman
022-9421782
0834604066
namaquas@intekom.co.za

Adv Martin Coetzee
0829406427
marcec@mweb.co.za

Hulp vir diere kom van kuns

2011-07-29T09:39:00.001+02:00

Uit die oord van kuns het daar hulp gekom vir dieresorg in Velddrif. Die dorp se nuwe hulporganisasie vir diere, Velddrif Animal Care (VAC), het hierdie maand in die week van die Bergrivier Winterkarnaval R6600 ingewin uit die uitloot van’n geraamde skildery ter waarde van R1500.

Die skildery is geskenk deur die kunstenaar Marina Clunie. Ansie Minnie en Dottie van Zyl, van Classic Touch raamwerk- en handwerkwinkel, het die raam geskenk. Lede van VAC, besighede en lede van die publiek het lootjies verkoop in die week wat die Bergrivier Winterkarnaval voorafgegaan het, sê VAC fondsinsamelaar Cathy Ahlers.

Nicole en Flappie voor Marina Clunie se
ateljee-galery in Bokkomlaan.

Die gelukkige trekking is Sondagoggend gehou by River Studio, Marina se alteljee-galery in Bokkomlaan, waar nog ‘n karnavalgees geheers het. Die wenner, met die gelukkige nommer van 508, was Nicole Smith, van Velddrif. Sy is ‘n graad 4-leerling by Curro Privaatskool op Langebaan.

‘n Meer tevrede en gepaste wenner kon jy nie voor gewens het nie. Nicole is ‘n groot diereliefhebber en neem ook kunsklasse.

‘n Meer tevrede dieresorgeenheid kan jy jou ook nie voorstel nie. Die VAC is onlangs gestig en fondse is aller-noodsaaklik. Die inkomste uit die loting en die eenheid se kosstalletjie op die karnaval is baie welkom.

Mev Ahlers het groot waardering uitgespreek vir ondersteuning by die stalletjie en vir almal wat kaartjies vir die loting verkoop en gekoop het, en natuurlik vir die persone wat die skenkings gemaak het.

River Art Route

2011-07-20T20:58:00.023+02:00

Velddrif artists in the area of Bokkom Avenue, on the banks of the Berg River, combined forces and talents to establish the River Art Route in Velddrif. It consists of four different galleries.

Marina Clunie, o83 415 9524.
marina@riverstudio.co.za
www.riverstudio.co.za.

Read PROFILE
on Marina below...

The work of Marina Clunie, widely known as the artist who expresses the heart and soul of the West Coast, can be seen at River Studio, her studio gallery in one of the old fish houses in Bokkom Avenue. She does plein air paintings of the river, wetlands, old boats and jetties. The atmosphere of her paintings reflects the essence of Velddrif.

Carolus Heydenrych
Vyelaan, off Voortrekker Rd
079 835 4352

Carolus Heydenrych is a passionate painter with a strongly impressionistic style. He has been living and painting in Velddrif for the past 15 years. He recently set up a studio and a gallery in Vye Avenue, which leads to the left off Voortrekker Road to Bokkom Avenue when you approach Velddrif from Piketberg. He is an individualistic artist who focuses on dramatic seascapes in unusual colour schemes.

Antonnette Viljoen and James Bennet have their aRt27 Gallery for upcycled art at 209 Voortrekker Road, close to the Vye Avenue turn-off to Bokkom Avenue, therefore close to Carolus's place. They make sculptures and singular pieces of furniture from redundant materials.

Visit Des Clunie,
at Ek en Djy Vissery next to
River Studio in Bokkomlaan.

James Bennet and
Antonnette Viljoen
076 587 3899 / 076 548 8270
jtart27@live.com
www.art27.yolasite.com

RIVER ART ROUTE
Look for the round blue-and-white River Art Route signs.

(1) Susan Kemp, 146 Voortrekker Rd. (CLOSED)

(2) Marina Clunie, River Studio, Bokkom Avenue.

(3) Carolus Heydenrych, Vye Avenue.

(4) James Bennet and Antonnette Viljoen, aRt27 Gallery, 209 Voortrekker Rd.

River Art Route and
Bokkomlaan offer more than
art. Call Dan at 082 951 0447 to
take you on a leisurely boat trip.

Artist's profile:

MARINA CLUNIE

Marina Clunie, an ex-Capetonian, has immersed herself in the spirit and soul of the West Coast. She dips her paintbush in the soul of the West Coast in a hundred-year-old vishuis which houses her studio.
River Studio is situated in Bokkom Avenue, which runs along the banks of the Berg River estuary at Velddrif, where she lives. Her paintings adorn homes and businesses in all corners of the globe.

Marina took graphic art classes at the Cape Technikon, painting classes at Art B, and pottery classes, and has sat under the tutorship of various artists. She is a member of the SA Society of Artists, the West Coast Art Guild and the Blaauwberg Art Society.

She is inspired by the flux of the moods and seasons of the Berg River and wetlands, transferring her impressionist fascination with light and movement onto canvas, using oil and sometimes a palette knife.
“My life here embraces space, freedom and the simplicity yet vastness of nature. Old boats swaying against old jetties, never-ending beaches, a moody cloud-sky, characteristic West Coast buildings, the river and the wetlands have all inspired me.“

River Studio attracts tourists, art lovers and journalists. Marina made her first appearance in a publication in 2001 and since then has appeared in a variety of publications (cultural, art, tourism) as well as brief appearances on TV programmes. She has also received several prizes from various art competitions.
     A recent trip to Paris included a visit to the Louvre and the house and studio of her favourite impressionist artist, Claude Monet - the lily pond being the highlight. She is currently engaged in a series of paintings of the lily pond.
     The soul of the West Coast extends beyond her paintbrush. Drop-in guests take on the 120 km journey from Cape Town to visit, enticed by her imaginative West Coast fare and hospitality. A class of school children found her unique personality and art style an uplifting experience, and both tourists and visiting artists comment on the wonderful peaceful atmosphere of her studio.
     “I cannot keep this atmosphere and river view to myself. I need to share it. And I always have coffee, tea and condensed milk ready, so feel free to visit,” states her standing invitation. And visit they do.

BLINGBOOBEE.
Framed by Classic Touch.

COMING UP SOON: Demo's and workshops at Classic Touch, 7 Kerklaan, Velddrif: Portrait-drawing demo, Blingboobie workshop, Memories-are-Made-of-This workshop. Enquiries: Dottie tel/fax 022-783235, email trvanzyl@gmail.com. Long-term programme includes pastel demo (oil and dry pastels), fabric-painting workshop, paper mache workshop.

WINNERS OF PHOTO SESSIONS

2011-07-20T20:15:00.001+02:00

Three people won photo sessions with Amanda Brink Photo Journeys. Amanda offered these prizes on Facebook to the 10th, 20th and 30th senders (or even their pets) of an SMS with their name and telephone number. Entries were restricted to one per telephone number.

The winners are Sare' Pelzer, Bianca Mosterd and Simone Rossouw.

The photo sessions are free and the prize include a CD with 25 photographs for every winner. We hope to see examples of these here on Velddrif News eventually.

COMPUTER SERVICES: Problem solving. Software installation. Data recovery. Conversion of video to DVD, tape and records to LP and CD. Contact Jaco 022-7830438 / 072-1591424.

Hou jy van Velddrif?

2011-07-17T09:01:00.005+02:00

Twee mense het op facebook teenoor Velddrif Toerisme gekla oor hoe onaanskoulik Pelikaanhawe lyk as jy oor die brug die dorp binnekom. Onse Toerisme het taktvol geantwoord dat hulle die sentiment aan die bestuur sal oordra.

Ek weet nie hoe dinge deesdae met die bestuur daar gesteld is nie, hoewel ek ook al klagtes gehoor het oor hoe dinge daar gedoen word. Maar ek wil darem net sê dat die huidige bestuur daai plek die afgelope jare heeltemal omskep het, al is dit meer aan die binnekant en die dorp se kant, en dat van die besighede daar (ek het nie kontak met almal nie) baie hard werk om 'n groot en lelike ou plek in iets aantrekliks te omskep.

Ek dink een van die probleme om Velddrif toeris- of besoekersvriendelik te maak, lê in die aard van die plekkie: Dis so klein, dat die sogenaamde bo- en onderdorpe nie eens apart geleë is nie, industriële, sake- en residensiële gebiede is om dieselfde rede as 't ware gemeng. Vandat ek twaalf jaar gelede Weskus toe gekom het, was dit altyd vir my interessant om die nuwe so uit die oue te sien spruit.

Ek dink dis 'n groeiproses wat in alles weerspieël word. 'n Mens moet ook onthou dat die Weskus in terme van groei (samelwing ingesluit) eintlik ryp gedruk is deur die pelagiese visbedryf en byvoorbeeld Saldanha Staal. Dit was nie moontlik om ou goed en dinge wat nog sinvol in gebruik was af te breek en skoon te vee en op beplande wyse met die nuwe en aanskoulike te vervang nie.

Na sewe jaar op die dorp, is dit my indruk dat sommige besoekers juis Velddrif toe kom omdat die dorp 'n bietjie bar is en hulle hier weg van hul huise hulle ook 'n bietjie bar wil kom gedra - waar hulle daarmee kan wegkom. Dan luister ons hoe hulle jil en laatnag doef-doef musiek speel. Die volgende more klop hulle koppies hulle vroeg wakker en sien jy deur die venster hoe hulle skuldig oor hul skouers loer terwyl hulle die tassies en coolbags in die kar gooi en teruggaan stad toe.

Hierdie dorp is maar soos 'n mens se famielie. Ek sê 'n ruk gelede vir 'n vriend van my dat my familie vir my al hoe eienaardiger raak hoe ouer ek raak. Toe sê ALLE families is eienaardig.

Ja-nee, party styg uit, ander is gelukkig waar hulle is, daar is altyd 'n alkoholis in die familie, of een wat aanhoudend homself in die moeilikheid beland, en een wat altyd inspring en red. Op Velddrif, is hier plek vir almal van hulle.

As jy Velddrif nog 'n bietjie beter wil leer ken, kan jy my twee sketse gaan lees op die "My Views"-blad:

- Bye-bye Piketberg, Hallo Velddrif
- Langnaweek op Velddrif

COMPUTER SERVICES: Problem solving. Software installation. Data recovery. Conversion of video to DVD, tape and records to LP and CD. Contact Jaco 022-7830438 / 072-1591424. Email: jacotaljaard4@gmail.com

SO LYK DIE KARNAVAL!

2011-07-16T21:44:00.006+02:00

Ek moes op my pos wees by River Art Route, maar het gou na die brass band in die tent gaan kyk, 'n draai by die stalletjies gemaak, en brood en melk gaan koop. As jy egter 'n goeie prentjie wil kry van alles wat vandag tydens die Bergrivier Kanomaraton en Bergrivier Winterkarnaval op sonnige Velddrif gebeur het, moet jy gaan kyk na Amanda Brink se foto's op facebook by
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.106891312734817.14314.100002418469128

Hierdie is die snêppies wat ek geneem het:

Rustig onder die bome te midde van die feestelikheid, en net daarnaas...

...die Brass Band. Heerlike klanke.

"Jo-jo, the clown," het hy homself voorgestel. Hy was van diens af, op
soek na 'n koppie koffie. Ek like daai suit.


J.C. Frans, van Laaiplek, het die feestelikheid tot by Spar se deur gevat. Sy kontaknommer is 078 233 4484.

DIE STOEP wink jou nader

2011-07-16T11:28:00.000+02:00

Die Stoep staan reg vir jou by Voortrekkerweg 137 in Velddrif. Die tafeldoeke is uitgeskud, die stoele reggedraai... dis Bergrivier Winterkarnaval hier. Die 50ste Bergrivier Kanomaraton eindig vandag hier en Velddrif sorg vir vermaak vir almal wat deelnaam of wat kom kyk na die eindpoging - of wat nie dink iemand wat nou en dan in 'n kano aankom is interessant nie en sou kom kyk het as hier nog iets was om te doen.

Visit RIVER ART ROUTE

2011-07-15T14:45:00.002+02:00

HERE...

Susan Kemp's studio galery at 146 Voortrekker Road, Velddrif.

TO SEE THIS...

AND THIS:

ALSO VISIT: Marina Clunie at River Studio in Bokkom Avenue, Carolus Heydenrych in Vye Avenue and aRt27 Galery at 209 Voortrekker Road. Go to the "What's happening" page (http://velddrifnews.blogspot.com/p/activities-and-events.html) on this blog to read about the RIVER ART ROUTE in Velddrif.

RIVER ART ROUTE MAP

(1) Susan Kemp, (2) Marina Clunie, (3) Carolus Heydenrych, (4) aRt27 Galery.

SNUFFEL VELDDRIF SE LEKKER KUIERPLEKKE UIT

2011-07-12T22:13:00.011+02:00

VELDDRIF. – Alles wat lekker is, gebeur nie net langs die rivier en by die amptelike karnaval-areas van die Bergrivier Winterkarnaval nie. Al wat leef en beef maak reg vir die makietie wat hierdie naweek die koue moet verdryf.

Uit die program weet ons daar is sop en soetes, musiek, kuns en waterpret, maar kyk maar uit vir die ander kuierplekkies op die dorp – soos Die Stoep, by Voortrekkerweg 137 aan Piketberg se kant van die brug.

Die Stoep, Voortrekkerweg 137.
Erna Greeff (Die Wit Olifant, tweedehandse ware), Sonja du Toit
(Plumbago koffiewinkel), Malanie Kotze (Engela Visser se Sonneblom en Salie
kwekery), Amanda Brink (Amanda's Photo Journeys),
en Marchand Kleynhans (Words tweedehandse boekwinkel).
In die agtergrond wend Kobus Brink wend 'n lagie vars verf aan
om die gebou so vrolik soos die gasvroue op Die Stoep te maak.

By hierdie winkelsentrum met sy kenmerkende dakkappies bo elke ingang kan jy alles uitsnuffel van Velddrif-poskaarte, braaihout, tweedehandse boeke, saailinge, koffie en koek, en tweedehandse ware en snuisterye.

Sou jy links draai in die rigting van Laaiplek wanneer jy oor die brug kom, kan jy met hond en al verversings gaan geniet by Albatros Teetuin by Voortrekkerstraat 109. Hier kry jou hond water en ‘n beskuitjie sonder dat hy hoef te vra. Hy mag net nie ‘n happie van die hoenders en die eende op die erf vat nie!

In die welige tuin van hierdie120-jaar-oue vissershuisie kan jy aansit onder ‘n 60-jaar-oue bougainvilla, jou tuismaak onder die visserslapa, nader kuier op die agterstoep, of koop en geniet in die geskenkwinkel. Dit is ook ‘n veilige hawe vir vegetariërs!

Albatros Teetuin, Voortrekkerweg 109.

Hier kry gaste inligting oor die dorp en streek, soos ook 'n entjie verder straat-af by die gewilde kitskosplekkie, Doepies Diner en Takeaways, waar die diens so vriendelik, die kos so goed en die plek so mooi is dat jy jou kos nie wil wegneem nie.

Ondernemings op Velddrif maak dit hul taak om inligting vir besoekers beskikbaar te stel.

Doepies Diner, Voortrekkerweg 113B.
Hier wys Transvalers die Weskus hoe maak
mens chups en vus.

Die nuwe kunsroete by Bokkomlaan, River Art Route, bestaan byvoorbeeld uit vier galerye, wat mekaar onderling bemark met die doel om ‘n besoek aan die dorp die moeite werd te maak vir die kunsliefhebber. Pamflette met inligting oor die roete sal by verskeie punte op die dorp beskikbaar wees. Een van die galerye is River Studio, van Marina Clunie, in Bokkomlaan. (Sien berig hieronder op tuisblad ("Home") vir meer inligting oor die karnavalprogram vir Bokkomlaan.)

Velddrif is ‘n dorp met baie kunstenaars en handwerkers. Een van die bymekaarkomplekke vir hierdie produktiewe klomp is by Classic Touch raamwerk- en handwerkwinkel, waar “Sewende Kerklaan” tydens die karnaval aangebied word. Namibiërs kan hier bymekaarkom om in die vreemde bande te smee.

Kuns verras jou orals. Die kwekery Sonneblom en Salie by Voortrekkerweg 137 hou byvoorbeeld ook kuns aan, so ook Albatros Teetuin by Voortrekkerweg 109; en in Pelikaanhawe (sien karnavalprogram) bied Nellie de Klerk se Artful Things ten alle tye ‘n groot seleksie van kuns aan, en meer as ooit werke word vir die duur van die karnaval hier tentoongestel.

Artful Things, Pelican Harbour.
This giant painting of Bokkom Avenue is one of the attractions at
Pelican Harbour centre. It was made over a period of one week by
fourteen Velddrif artists, including Nellie de Klerk (in the picture)
owner of Artful Things gallery and craft shop in the centre.

Sien nuus oor Susan Kemp se kuns by "Velddrif on the West Coast Coast", onder die Nosy Rosy-webtuiste se Weskusnuusblad (http://www.nosyrosy.co.za/our_areas/west_coast).

COMPUTER SERVICES: Problem solving. Software installation. Data recovery. Conversion of video to DVD, tape and records to LP and CD. Contact Jaco 022-7830438 / 072-1591424

BOKKOMLAAN BIED KUNS EN KOS OP KARNAVAL

2011-07-11T13:45:00.009+02:00

VELDDRIF. – Drie van Velddrif se bekende skilders en die dorp se nuwe spogproduk – skrootkunstenaars AntonnetteViljoen en James Bennett – neem van 14 tot 17 Julie deel aan die Bokkomlaan-program tydens die Bergrivier Winterkarnaval, wat saamval met die 50ste jaarlikse Bergrivier Kanomaraton.

Hierdie vier galerye het nou saamgespan om 'n kunsroete, die River Art Route, aan te bied en karnavalgaste sal van die eerstes wees om hierdie nuwe aantrekkingskrag van Velddrif te beproef. Die lekkerte van die roete is dat die hele Velddrif tog al langs die rivier af lê en dat alle kunstenaars op die lang duur by hierdie projek kan aansluit

Die werk van Marina Clunie, wyd bekend as die kunstenaar wat die hart en siel van die Weskus uitbeeld, is te sien by River Studio in Bokkomlaan, en Susan Kemp en Carolus Heydenrych by die twee ingange na Bokkomlaan gaan ook hul deure vir die publiek oopmaak. (Lees meer oor haar by http://anartthing.blogspot.com/2011/07/artist-depicts-spirit-and-soul-of-west.html).

Skildery van bokkoms, deur Marina Clunie.
Sien meer van haar werk by River Studio
in Bokkomlaan. Kyk ook op "Art"-bladsy
van hierdie blog.

Carolus het onlangs ‘n ateljee en galery ingerig in Vyelaan, waarlangs ‘n mens van Piketberg se kant af uit Voortrekkerweg na Bokkomlaan afdraai. Hy is ‘n individualistiese kusntenaar wat fokus op dramatiese seetonele in ongewone kleurskemas. Susan se ateljee is by haar huis, by Voortrekkerweg 146, amper reg by die ander ingang na Bokkomlaan as ‘n mens van die brug af uit die rigting van Kaapstad af kom. Haar werk dek ‘n wye spektrum wat wissel portrette en beeldhouwerk tot kopiërings van die Ou Meesters se werke.

Antonnette en James het hul aRt27 Galery vir hul skrootkunsprodukte verskuif van Pelikaanhawe na Voortrekkerweg 209, digby die Vyelaan-afdraai na Bokkomlaan, dus naby Carolus se plek.

Afvalmateriaal word veredel
tot kuns by aRt Galery,
Voortrekkerweg 209, Velddrif

Hulle het in Meimaand saam met die Kaapse Instituut vir Handwerk en Ontwerp (CCDI: Cape Craft & Design Instute) op die Decorex Kaapstad ontwerp- en binneversieringskou uitgestal. By hierdie geleentheid is hulle deur die Departement van Toerisme en Ekonomiese Ontwikkeling genader om die Weskusstreek in Oktober vanjaar by die “Too Good to Waste” ontwerpskou in München te verteenwoordig

By hierdie skou sal hul produkte, wat uit veredelde afvalmateriale gemaak word, tot hul reg kom – maar op Velddrif gaan ons dit eerste sien.

Bokkomlaan huisves tradisionele bokkomvishuise en ook Die Vishuis restaurant. Die nie-amptelike gasheer van hierdie laan is Des Clunie, met die alombekende snuisterywinkel, Ek & Djy Vissery, reg langs Marina se River Studio.

Des se kuierstoep by Ek & Djy sal – soos gewoonlik – die toneel van vissermanstories en die toonbeeld van Weskusgasvryheid wees. In Bokkomlaan sal karnavalgangers die Weskus se atmosfeer eerstehands kan ervaar en ook tradisionele versnaperings, soos bokkoms, by stalletjies by die rivier kan geniet.

Sien nuus oor Susan Kemp se kuns by "Velddrif on the West Coast", onder die Nosy Rosy-webtuiste se Weskusnuusblad (http://www.nosyrosy.co.za/our_areas/west_coast).

COMPUTER SERVICES: Problem solving. Software installation. Data recovery. Conversion of video to DVD, tape and records to LP and CD. Contact Jaco 022-7830438 / 072-1591424

Sewende Kerklaan

2011-07-01T22:54:00.014+02:00

Op die Bergrivier Winterkarnaval van 14 tot 17 Julie verwag Classic Touch Raamwerk- en Handwerkwinkel by Kerklaan 7 in Velddrif besoek van hulle kliënte uit die Noord-Kaap en Namibië. Hulle bied tydens die karnaval “Sewende Kerklaan” aan – ‘n geleentheid om oud-Namibiërs van Velddrif en omgewing en Namibiërs wat kom karnaval hou vir ‘n lekker kuier bymekaar te bring.
     Wanneer dit nie karnavaltyd is nie, is Classic Touch ten alle tye ‘n bymekaarkomplek vir al wat kreatief is. Hier word deurentyd demonstrasies en werksessies aangebied in wye verskeiendheid van kuns- en handwerkvorme, soos olie- en droë pastelle, pewter, foelie-kuns, lapverf, lintborduur, mosaïek en decoupage. ‘n Groot papier mache-werksessie word vir die somer beplan.
     Materiale en inligting vir al hierdie vorme van kreatiwiteit is beskikbaar. Die onderneming hou ook die nuutste materiale aan, soos byvoorbeeld die nuwe fluweelagtige pastelpapier, wat ‘n hele nuwe wêreld in pastelkuns oopmaak.
     Besoekers moet dus hierdie wintervakansie 'n punt daarvan maak om by Classic Touch te gaan kyk vir iets om hulle mee besig te hou of vir kuns om hul lewens te verreik.
    Kunstenaars en handwerkkunstenaars op Velddrif voel veilig in die hande van Classic Touch, want hulle weet hulle kan alles wat hulle nodig het by hierdie onderneming kry of by hulle bestel.


Nuwe Bamboobee vir Classic Touch, Kerklaan 7, Velddrif.

Die nuustste op die rakke by Classic Touch is die Bamboobee-reeks van afdrukke, decoupage-papier en lapverfontwerpe wat hulle in samewerking met die Velddrif kunstenaar Susan Kemp ontwikkel het. Hierdie sjarmante vetvroutjie-prente is lank reeds bekend en gewild in die omgewing. Oorspronklike geraamde werke is ook beskikbaar.

Heel nuutste Bamboobee
vir Classic Touch,
Kerklaan 7, Velddrif.

Ansie Minnie, wat oorspronklik ‘n Vrystater is, doen die raamwerk en Dottie van Zyl, oorspronklik van Namibië, is die skepper van die hemel van kuns- en handwerkmateriale.Die Bamboobees is nou reeds beskikbaar, maar die verskeidenheid van produkte gaan uitbrei met die oog op die Winterkarnaval, wat gehou word om met die 50ste Bergrivier Kanomaraton saam te val.

Navrae: Dottie and Ansie, tel/faks 022-783 2356; emailadres, ansiem@mweb.co.za.

COMPUTER SERVICES: Problem solving. Software installation. Data recovery. Conversion of video to DVD, tape and records to LP and CD. Contact Jaco 022-7830438 / 072-1591424.

Sage Health Shop and Yoga Studio. Structural balancing treaments. (022) 783 2789 / (083) 533 6541

Susan Kemp is a freelance Book Illustrator interested in Freelance Jobs.

From the mouth of the Berg River Canoe Marathon sponsors

2011-06-24T20:55:00.006+02:00

The 50^th Windhoek Berg River Canoe Marathon is being eagerly anticipated by the local and international canoeing community, as the race sets out to commemorate its legends of years gone by and to stage the historic commemoration of the race in style from 13 to 16 July, reports Lisa Duthie, Media and Marketing Manager of organisers Worldsport, based in the Waterfront in Cape Town.

“The 2011 Windhoek Berg is a major milestone for South African sport and we want to make sure that we do it justice,” said Windhoek Marketing manager Mark von Bentheim. “The entire experience for the athletes, their seconds, the spectators and the sporting public at large will be taken to a whole new level.”

“This is an iconic event, and the one race that every serious paddler wants to add to their CV,” he added. “It is a test of stamina and endurance without comparison anywhere in the world, and we hope the fiftieth celebrations will attract a big crowd of participants and spectators to the Berg River that week.”

Enquiries from paddlers around the globe have been received at the Western Cape Canoe Union offices, while canoe clubs across the country are mobilising their members for what promises to be a massive field for the 243 km race from Paarl to Port Owen, at Velddrif.

With the team competition receiving a boost in prize money this year, the organisers are anticipating a bigger entry in the team competition which has added innovative spice to the four-day race in recent years.

Event improvements will also include registration in Cape Town and at the club time-trials, better facilities at overnight stops, a professional Master of Ceremonies commentating for the race, and numerous daily operational improvements.

The last day of the 2011 Windhoek Berg will see the introduction of a new event, an open K1 race (including Surf Skis) before the winners arrive, as well as an improved finish at a new site in Port Owen, where the prize-giving and the Banks-of-the-Berg celebration will be held.

The Windhoek Berg Bash for paddlers and their families will take place in a relaxed bush bar atmosphere after completion of the race. Paddlers and their families will be treated to cold Windhoeks, food and music.

With the canoeing community already abuzz with anticipation, the 2011 Windhoek Berg is set to be a fitting tribute to fifty years of the world’s toughest canoeing race.

Go to www.windhoekberg.co.za for more inforamation.

Experience the tradition: The first fifty years of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon, 1947-1997

<br>

Susan Kemp is a freelance Book Illustrator interested in Freelance Jobs.

VELDDRIF BIED MEER AS KOUE WATER EN LIEFDE

2011-06-23T10:56:00.017+02:00

Besoekers aan Velddrif en inwoners van die dorp sal vanjaar meer as koue water en liefde vir die sport hê om die geleentheid van die jaarlikse Bergrivier Kanomaraton die moeite werd maak, want die eerste Bergrivier Winterkarnaval word van 14 tot 17 Julie op Velddrif gehou om saam te val met die 50ste Bergrivier Kanomaraton.
Die maraton eindig vanjaar by Port Owen en besoekers wat gewoonlik net tot by die brug gekom het, sal nou deur die dorp beweeg om by die eindpunt te kom. Hulle sal kan kies uit karnavalvermaak wat aangebied word by Port Owen, Bokkomlaan, die area voor die Munisipaliteit in Voortrekkerweg, Laaiplek, Soverby Lapa, en Dwarskersbos.
Daar is natuurlik ook die opsie om self stalletjie op te slaan en lekker besigheid te doen

Alle besighede word genooi en aangemoedig om promosies, funksies of vermaak gedurende die karnaval aan te bied. Plaaslike ondernemings word so veel as moontlik by die karnaval betrek, om te verseker dat die dorp sal baat by inkomste wat deur die geleentheid gegenereer word. Daar sal byvoorbeeld geen biertent wees nie, omdat alle restaurant, kroeë en ander vermaaklikheidsplekke soos gewoonlik gashere vir die dorp sal wees.

Navrae oor die program en die moontlikhede wat die karnaval bied, kan gedoen word by die volgende persone:

Nellie de Klerk, 072-348 6226, Pelikaanhawe (kuns en stalletjies); Chantal, 082-496 8931, Soverby Lapa, Laaiplek hawegebied (erfenis, kultuur en stalletjies); Des en Marina Clunie, 083-415 9524, Bokkomlaan (kuns en stalletjies wat met bokkombedryf verband hou; Sandra Olivier, 073-456 9663; Toerismekantoor, 022-783 1821, area oorkant Munisipaliteit in Voortrekkerweg (kleinsake, toerisme en stalletjies); Port Owen Seiljagklub, 022-783 1923, aktiwiteite op die rivier (bootritte, vlotte, ens.).

Op Jeugdag was Pelikaanhawe‘n vrolike gesig. Plaaslike kunstenaars het vullisdromme geverf om te dien as advertensie vir die karnaval. Mariëtte van Jaarsveld en Susan Kemp het die taak aangepak saam met Nellie de Klerk voor haar kunsgalery en handwerkwinkel in die Pelikaanhawe Winkelkompleks. Nellie, wat die karnavalprogram vir Pelikaanhawe organiseer, loop altyd oor van entoesiasme en het net daar ‘n borg vir die fees losgeslaan toe Johan Gouws, eienaar van Doepies Diner in Voortrekkerweg, oor die pad gestap het om te kom kyk wat op die vakansiedag by haar winkel aangaan. Hy en vroulief Riana, wat sowat ‘n jaar gelede van Pretoria af hul belange na Velddrif verskuif het, is baie bly om te sien die dorp woeker met sy talente en het gretig hul hand in hul sak gesteek om by te dra vir die huur van die klanktoerusting wat die musiekkunstenaars tydens die karnaval nodig het. (Sien foto op ALBUM-blad van hierdie blog, asook berig en foto in Die Weslander.)

Sage Health Shop and Yoga Studio. Structural balancing treaments. (022) 783 2789 / (083) 533 6541

BAMBOOBEE makes her debut at Classic Touch

The first designs in the Bamboobee range by Susan Kemp are now available at Classic Touch Framing and Craft, 7 Church Avenue, Velddrif.

These charming fat-girl pictures can now be obtained as prints, decoupage paper and fabric-paint designs, but framed original artworks are also available. Enquiries: Dottie and Ansie, tel/fax 022-7832356, email: ansiem@mweb.co.za.

COMPUTER SERVICES: Problem solving. Software installation. Data recovery. Conversion of video to DVD, tape and records to LP and CD. Contact Jaco 022-7830438 / 072-1591424.

Does the moon affect you?

2011-06-16T10:04:00.004+02:00

No-ooooowhoooo-whooooo!!!!!!!!!


"Full Moan", by Helga McCleod.

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PASOP VIR DIE VOLMAAN

2011-06-14T13:15:00.001+02:00

Ek werk deesdae slegs op deadlines. Dit gaan nou al so vanaf begin van April. Gelukkig is dit 'n teken dat dit goed gaan as mens so oorwerk is. Na nou die dag se exhib-opening het ander goed my rondgejaag en van Donderdag af was ek oor die naweek op standby vir 'n uitgewer wat nou allerhande gapings in hul illustrasiewerk het en ekke is die een wat nooit slaap nie...

Probeer tussendeur om grootoogpoppies te maak vir Ansie en Dottie by Classic Touch raamwerk- en handwerkwinkel, wat graag daarmee wil woeker. Hulle wil decoupage papier en lapverf- en borduurstelle daarmee doen, en demo's aanbied van hoe om dit te doen. Dit help my om iets met hierdie bekoorlike grootoogpoppie-idee uit te rig, maar die volmaan meng vreeslik in.

Die maan affekteer selfs die katte. Mannetjieskat het my vanoggend met 'n haarbol wakker gekots (oor slaapmandjie, komberse, tafeldoek; maar genadiglik nie hierdie keer oor sy sussiekat nie). Hy het dit opgevolg met 'n sessie in die katbak, wat toe van voor af met lae koerantpapier oorgedoen moes word. Al die geritsel van papier gee hulle toe sommer weer 'n nood, met die gevolg dat die een weer al my handewerk natmaak en die ander een sommer op die vloer plas los, want daar is nie plek in die bak nie. Dis die volmaan, jy sien, want tussendeur maak ek dit ook net-net baie ongemaklik na die gemak toe - om met die terugkom te sien mannetjieskat het hom op die vloer langs sussiekat tuisgemaak en 'n tweede plas gelos.

Tussendeur lui die fone, huil die uitgewer, blaf die honde, ontwaak my naaste, roep my vriende, verander my lysie van dinge vir die dag, en vou my budget. Ek het alles wat ek vandag wou doen, laat vaar, koffie gemaak, en met my twee lapverfies gaan klaarspeel.

Toe hoor ek dis more 'n ongemaklike volmaan EN dit gaan 'n volle maanverduistering wees. Vir diegene wat besef 'n mens moet met die maan rekening hou (soos vrouens, en mans met vrouens), is vandag se kwaad 'n waarskuwing om more op jou pasoppens te wees. Die vrouens moet maar nou al opgee op driekwart van wat hulle gedog het met multi-tasking vermag kan word, en die mans wat hot-flush moet dubbel versigtig wees. Want hierdie volmaan gaan dit spat.

GIANT PAINTINGS ON VIEW AT MY HOUSE - as well as irresistable cloths from the East

2011-06-02T17:23:00.025+02:00

The two giant copies that was on display at the opening night of my Showcase Exhibition at AntheA Delmotte Gallery in Piketberg last Friday, can be viewed at my house on Saturday, June 4.


These two copies of artworks the Old Masters can be viewed at my house on Saturday 4 June.

I am holding an open day for people of Velddrif who would like to see these paintings. Ella Ahlers's art will also be on display.

I have also received cloths from the east, which I'll be stocking now. Those interested are welcome to inspect the first of many irresistable throws, drapes, pashminas, and scarves that will be delivered at our doorstep fresh from India from now on.

The Indian cloths.

You are welcome to pay me a visit during the day all Saturday, from 10am onwards at 146 Voortrekker Road in Velddrif. Actually, the neighbours (on the corner of Bokkom Avenue and Voortrekker) use number 146, but we are right next door - look out for the "Art Exhibition" sign on the wire farm gates right next to their garage.

SHARING ART
June/July: The Showcase Exhibition, by Susan Kemp at AntheA Delmotte Gallery, 47 Voortrekker St, Piketberg. See more info on Home page, or call Anthea on (073) 2817273. Email: anthea@lantic.net
June: The first designs in the Bamboobee range by Susan Kemp are now available at Classic Touch Framing and Craft, 7 Church Avenue, Velddrif.
These charming fat-girl pictures can now be obtained as prints, decoupage paper and fabric-paint designs, but framed original artworks are also available. Enquiries: Dottie and Ansie, tel/fax 022-7832356, email ansiem@mweb.co.za.

SHOWCASE EXHIBITION PICTURES

2011-05-17T19:56:00.028+02:00

Thank you, friends and art lovers, who attended the opening of my Showcase Exhibition at Anthea Delmotte Gallery in Piketberg on Friday 27 May.

This view of the copies gives a
good idea of their size.

It was so good to see old friends and meet new people. For those who have missed the opening: Still lots of time to see the variety of artworks ranging from sculptures and cartoons to oil paintings over the next month, maybe longer.

Anthea setting up the exhibition

Go to this facebook link to see photographs taken by Anthea on the opening night:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2078774047332.2124410.1184443858

I am exhibiting a number of works from private collections, books that I have illustrated, and even some bits and pieces of art saved from childhood will be shared with guests.

Anthea's creative remodelling of an
old table justmakes you itch to get
your hands on a jigsaw as well!

A variety of sculptures.
Thanks a stack, Jaco Taljaard,
for the display units.

Anthea spouts forth as follows in the invitation that was sent out:

"Susan Kemp is a versatile and talented artist whose work ranges from sculpture to handmade books, many beautiful paintings - which include commissioned copies of the Old Masters (only on display for opening night) - and other creative wonders. She also illustrates children’s books and does cartoons. She used a wide range of mediums for the varied collection of artworks which will be exhibited, reflecting her capacity and need for involvement in the myriad complexities of art. The exhibition will showcase her wide range of talents and is well worth seeing."

In the case of this room, the view
is to the inside.

Mosaic Madness


"Answors", paper mache		.

Opportunity to shop for art and fresh produce

2011-05-10T15:06:00.001+02:00

MORNING MARKET AT MARRA SQUARE
9 am - 1 pm, Saturday 14 May

Shop for home-made fresh produce and crafts at the regular Morning Market in Langebaan on Saturday. This monthly market, held Marra Square one a month, also gives you the opportunity to visit Bay Gallery on the same premises. West Coast art at its best can be view and bought here. Visitors and stall-holders welcome. Call Daphne at the gallery at (077) 3348744.

Another option for Saturday 14 May is to join in for a fun-filled golf day at Vredenburg Golf Club, where the Sanlam Cancer Challenge is being held. "Fun for kids, cuppa for the ladies and golf for all" should tempt you. Great prizes can be won. Costs: Greenfees plus R60.00 competition fees. Contact Sumarie on (022) 715 3003 for more information.

See activities for the rest of May and into June on "Activities and Events" page on this blog

HIIER KOM KRISMIS!

2011-05-06T15:09:00.003+02:00

Pieter Pretorius, van bokkom.co.za, het al 'n email uitgestuur oor wat alles oor die vakansietyd in Desember gebeur. Julle dink julle maak reg vir die Bergrivier Karnaval, maar julle moenie daai paartiepakkies wegpak nie - Desember maak al reg vir ons (maar die Activities and Events blad het die info vir Mei en Junie).

So lig Pieter ons in:

* 10 Des – Jesse Jordan tree op by Kaktus in Langebaan. Kaartjies beskikbaar by Kaktus. Kontak hulle by 022-772-1392.
* 10 Dec – Carols by Candle light at Weskus Mall under the Groot Boom. 6 Upcoming artists will perform. The show starts at 19h00. Donations welcome.
* 10 Des – Lekker Afrikaanse musiek aand by die Ouskip Vakansie Oord Saal, Melkbos. Datum: 8nm, Vrydag, 10 Des 2010, Kaartjies: R80 pp, Boek by 0832303204 of www.soundinteraxions.co.za Voorprogram – Viljoen Retief. Hoofprogram – Nic Stevens (jongste vd Snyman Broers).
* Sale of sample clothing 10 and 11 Dec. At St Helena Hospice in Saldanha Road, Vredenburg.
* 11 Des Vandon Band tree op by Kaktus in Langebaan. Kaartjies beskikbaar by Kaktus. Kontak hulle by 022-772-1392.
* 10-12 Dec – Summer Splash at Vlakvarkgat. A True West Coast Experience. R100pp camping included. Fun activities, drinking games for everyone and big prizes to e won. Contact Hannes for more
nformation on 083-661-0392.
* 11 Des – Groet die Grotman by Weskusskool om 19h00. Vir meer besonderhde, kontak 022-714-1244.
* 15 Dec - The second annual WEST COAST CLASSIC golf day will take place on Wednesday 15 December at Langebaan Country Club. This golf day is proudly sponsored by INDAWO Painting and Waterproofing. Cost per four ball is R1,500 and this includes green fees, halfway house, generous gift bag for each player, traditional west coast snoek braai, prizes worth over R50,000 plus lucky draws! All four
balls booked before or on 15 November 2010 will be discounted to R1,400. To book, contact Leigh on 082 558-9971 or email bookings@matchday.co.za
* 15 Des – Die Wineberries Band tree op by Kaktus in Langebaan. Kaartjies beskikbaar by Kaktus. Kontak hulle by 022-772-1392.
* 16 Des – Locnville, The Undefiend, Vandon en Jessie Jordan tree op by Kaktus in Langebaan. Kaartjies beskikbaar by Kaktus. Kontak hulle by 022-772-1392.
* 16 Dec – St Helena bay arts, craft and food market. 15h00-19h00 at Shelly Point Hotel. Call Theresa on 083-375-8006.
* 17 Dec - Albert Frost will be performing live at Blue Bay Lodge on 17 December form 8pm till late. This show runs with the usual Friday Night special at the lodge, so for R50 you can buy your ticket to watch Albert Frost and for another R48.00 you can enjoy a plate of delicious Ribs/Sirloin, Chips and Salad!! Booking is essential and can be done at the Lodge, we hope to see YOU there!! Contact Vanessa on 022 7141177.
* 17 Dec – Adam Tas tree op by Kaktus in Langebaan. Kontak 022-772-1392 vir besprekings.
* 18 Des – Dowwe Dolla by LongAcres Wine Estate. 083-233-1146.
* 18 Dec – St Helena bay arts, craft and food market. 10h00-14h00 at Shelly Point Hotel. Call Theresa on 083-375-8006.
* 15-22 Dec – Weskus Kersmark – Vredenburg high school. Mo – Fri 10h00 -20h00. Saturdays 10h00-18h00. Last day 10h00-15h00. Contact Anna Brandt on 022-7017000 for more information.
* 15 Des – Bok van Blerk – Athene saal by Mykonos. Kaartjies R100 en R50 vir kinners, Besprekings by Van Zyl’s in Vredenburg, Lizzard printing in Langebaan of by Barbara by 073-214-7595. Kaartjies R100 elk.
* 22 Dec – Sarah Theron at Long Acres Estate. 083-233-1146
* Die Burger Music Show! 13 December 2010 and 3 January 2011. Time: 19h00 at Athene Conference Centre, Club Mykonos.Bookings & Queries through Computicket. Contact Club Mykonos for further details
on 022 707 7000.
* Christmas Market in the Langebaan Town Hall. Contact Kathy on 082-789-1057 to book your table.
* 23 Dec – Jannie Moolman by NG Kerksaal in Langebaan. Begin 19h00. Besprekings by Van Zyl’s in Vredenburg, Lizzard printing in Langebaan of by Barbara by 073-214-7595. Kaartjies R100 elk.
* 23 Des – Gerrie Pretorius – Die Ou Skip saal in Melkbos. 071-353-3757. Begin 19h30
* 28 Des – Gerrie Pretorius – by LongAcres Wine Estate. 083-233-1146
* 29 Dec – Chris Chameleon tree op by Kaktus in Langebaan. Kaartjies beskikbaar by Kaktus. Kontak hulle by 022-772-1392
* 31 Dec - Oujaarsdans by Swartbergsvlei. Die Jakkie Louw orkes sorg vir die musiek. Begin om 20h00. Akkommodasie is ook beskikbaar. Kaartjies is beperk en kos slegs R100 per persoon. Kontak Alicia by
084-593-2745 vir meer besonderhede.

SKROOTKUNSTENAARS STAL UIT OP DECOREX

2011-04-28T08:42:00.025+02:00

(Sien ook nog gemeenskapnuus hier onder)

In Hemelhoogstraat op Kersbosstrand woon die skrootkunstenaars AntonnetteViljoen en James Bennett, met hul koppe in die wolke en hul voete baie vas op die aarde – en van die naweek af met die een voet in Kaapstad.

Hulle is vanaf Vrydag 29 Mei in die kollig op die Decorex Kaapstad ontwerp- en binneversieringskou, waar hul onderneming, aRt27 Galery saam met die Kaapse Instituut vir Handwerk en Ontwerp (CCDI: Cape Craft & Design Instituut) uitstal.

“Ons verbeelding word aangegryp deur weggooi-metaal, -yster en –hout,” sê die paartjie, wat hierdie materiale in dekoratiewe meubels en kunswerke omskep. Uit ander se sogenaamde gemors skep hulle unieke items wat kuns in jou lewe inbring en jou verryk.

Herwinning en hergebruik van materiale is van sentrale belang vir hierdie omgewingsbewuste nuwe aankomlinge op die Weskus. Hulle het verlede jaar hierheen verhuis vanaf Groot Marico in Noord-Wes Provinsie. Antonnette is oorspronklik van Namibië en James, wat in Johannesburg grootgeword het, se familie woon al geslagte lank in die Groot Marico, waar hy ook in ‘n stadium geboer het.

Dit lyk kompleet asof Antonnette en James idees uit die lug kan gryp. In die uitvoering van hierdie idees, kan jy egter sien hul voete is vas op die aarde. Hierdie “skrootboere” kan duidelik ‘n plan maak én uitvoer.

Liezel van den Berg het onlangs in ‘n direkte televisie-uitsending ‘n onderhoud met Antonnette gevoer op TV3 se ontbytprogram. Maar sien is glo. As jy nog nie hulle werk onder oë gehad het nie, gaan kyk by aRt27 Galery in Pelikaanhawe, of besoek www.art27.yolasite.com. Of gaan kyk by Decorex hoe hul koppe werk.

Art born of odds and ends.(Arts & Literature)(Plywood and scrap metal figure in abstract work at Fenario Gallery): An article from: The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR)

GEMEENSKAPNUUS GEMEENSKAPNUUS GEMEENSKAPNUUS

NEDBANK SE HART IS OOP VIR BEJAARDES

Nedbank Vredenburg het ‘n industriële gasstoof gekenk aan Huis van Roeden sorgsentrum vir bejaardes in Velddrif as deel van die instansie se strewe om sinvolle hulp te verleen waar ‘n behoefte in die samelewing geïdentifiseer word. Mnr Leon Clarence (links), kleinsakebestuurder, en mnr Kobus Lubbe, takbestuurder, het die stoof Maandagaand oorhandig aan mev. Jul-Andra Van Dyk, stigter en bestuurder van Huis van Roeden. Hierdie skenking stel die tehuis in staat om ‘n volhoubare inkomste te genereer om na die bejaardes om te sien.

VELDDRIF MEMBER CHAIRS PROBUS WEST COAST

Probus West Coast elected Mrs Annette van der Sandt, from Velddrif, as their new president at the club’s 12^th AGM that was held at the Riviera Hotel in Velddrif recently. Probus is an international social and supportive club for retired professional and business people. It was started by Rotary and all new Probus clubs had to be sponsored by Rotary in the past. A commemorative plaque to honour members who had passed on to higher office in the last number of years was unveiled at the meeting by out-going president Alice Ball. The plaque was designed and made by Probus member Ron Miller. Pictured here are the 2011/2012 committee members: Back row, from left: Rob Sproul, James Swart, David Hall and Alice Ball; front row, from left: Magie Heydenrych, Annette van der Sandt and Monika Basson. Committee member Mike Puttergill is absent.

Cherished doggie pair needs new home

2011-03-29T14:42:00.004+02:00

This letter reached Velddrif News through the informal network of animal lovers in the area:

HI KITTY AND DOGGIE NETWORK. CAN YOU SEND THIS OUT TO YOUR CONTACTS PLEASE.

Buttons & Ellie

The time to move is just around the corner and after much deliberation we have decided not to take our two beautiful Jack Russell’s across to Scotland with us. The costs involved are actually too scary for words. The flights across would be okay but the cost of six months quarantine is ridiculous.
     So we are now looking for a loving home for Ellie (female) and Buttons (male). They are a brother and sister pair and were born in September 2009 and have been part of our family since they were six weeks old. We had Buttons on his own for three days first but he just did not stop crying so we got his little sister Ellie. They have only been apart for one night since then and that was when buttons was at the vets getting ‘the snip’.
     They are extremely good with our children, who are 8 and 5 and just love being around us all the time. So much so they even jump into bed with one of us every night.
     If anyone would be interested in taking over these two wonderful dogs, please could you be in touch.
Regards
Michael Louw
Cell no: 0832765135
Fax no: 0865487725

Velddrif verloor geliefde inwoner

2011-03-24T19:48:00.006+02:00

As jy Prof Danie Schreuder se bydrae tot die mense in sy lewe, die samelewing en uiteindelik tot die wêreld en die toekoms kan meet, kan jy moontlik die omvang van die verlies wat sy dood meegebring het, bepaal. (Maak 'n punt daarvan om ook die huldeblyk van Fourie Rossouw te lees. Sien die skakel na sy blog hieronder by "Comments"),
     Prof Schreuder, opvoedkundige, omgewingsbewaarder en -aktivis en skrywer, is Maandagaand, 21 Maart, om halftwaalf by sy huis in Waterkantstraat, Velddrif, op die ouderdom van 67 aan ‘n hartaanval oorlede.
     Hy het verlede week by die 21ste herdenking van OOPUS, die Omgewingsopvoedingsprogram wat hy by Universiteit Stellenbosch gestig het, gesê die waarde van die werk wat OOPUS doen, kan nie gemeet word nie. Nou weerklink sy stelling in die woorde van die mense wat hy nalaat.
    Sprekers by die geleentheid het nie slegs gepraat van Prof. Schreuder se impak op hul studies en hul loopbane in opvoeding en omgewingsbewaring nie, maar ook van die verrykende – en verreikende – bydraes wat hy as mens en opvoeder tot hul loopbane en hul lewens gemaak het. Nou staan hul woorde opgeteken as laaste huldeblyke wat hulle onwetend aan hul mentor gebring het.
     Prof. Chris Reddy, bestuurder van OOPUS sedert Prof Schreuder se aftrede, sê hy streef daana om die oorspronklike doelwitte van die program deur middel van navorsing en gemeenskapsinteraksie voort te sit.
     Op die tuisfront is die verlies vir Velddrif groot. Prof. Schreuder was betrokke nou betrokke by bewaringsake op die dorp en was tot onlangs die voorsitter van die Bergrivier Forum.
     Die dorp het ‘n paar druppels reën gehad op Wêreldwaterdag, die dag na sy dood. Op hierdie bewolkte, somber dag vertel vriende en familie egter van ‘n stralende mens wat hul lewens en die gemeenskap verryk het. Mnr Nic Mostert, wat die gesin ten tyde van sy dood bygestaan het, sê hy was “eintlik onbehoorlik gelukkig” hier op Velddrif.
     Soos wat die nuus oor sy heengaan versprei, word dit duidelik dat die dorp ‘n beminde inwoner verloor het. Mev Ena During, wat onlangs sy boek, ‘n Beter Hemel, gelees het, het op daardie tydstip gesê dit was een van die beste boeke wat sy ooit gelees het. Sy onthou hom ook as ‘n “stralende” persoon. Mev Helena Pickard, ‘n vriendin en die weduwee van sy goeie vriend, Regter Bobby Pickard, was geskok om te verneem dat Prof Schreuder oorlede is gedurende die nag wat sy sy boek nie kon neersit nie en dit in die vroeë oggendure klaar gelees het.
    Jy kan niemand gou-gou uitvra oor Danie nie (jy vergeet gou van die “professor”), want mense raak nie uitgepraat oor wat hy vir hulle beteken het nie en oor wat sy boek vir hulle beteken het nie. Dit is ‘n boek wat soos ‘n veldbrand versprei het en wat met humor en deernis wat eie aan Danie is, spreek tot kinders sowel as bejaardes, vertel Mev Karin Theart, een van die lede van die Pilatus-klas wat hy tweekeer ‘n week bygewoon het. Die boek is tot ‘n mate outbiografies, maar is simbolies van sy liefde vir die aarde.
    ‘n Beter Hemel is in 2009 deur Tafelberg Uitgewers gepubliseer. Drie van sy kortverhale is opgeneem in versamelings van Hennie Aucamp (Borde, borde, boordevol: Tafelberg, 1998), en Abraham H de Vries (Uit die kontreie vandaan: Human en Rousseau, 2000).’n Reeks kort, populêre wetenskapartikels is van 1998 tot 2002 in Die Burger gepubliseer.
     “Die Flixies”, ‘n reeks van 25 natuurwetenskap-fiksie stories van Danie, is onlangs by Ebony Uitgewers uitgegee as ‘n skool-leesreeks vir jong, ontwikkelende lesers. Sy suster, Annatjie, het hieraan met hom saamgewerk. Hy het ook bydraes gelewer vir dieselfde uitgewer se Afrikaanse kleutertydskrif “Bazoo”.
     Daniël Rossouw Schreuder is ‘n op 8 Julie 1944 in die distrik van Koringberg gebore. Hy het grootgeword op die plase Middeldrift en Broodkraal. Na matriek het hy Natuurwetenskap aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch studeer, waarna hy hom in ’n onderwysloopbaan bevind het – aanvanklik by die Universiteit Wes-Kaapland en daarna vir vyf jaar as biologie-onderwyser. Sedert 1975 het hy egter sy nis as onderwyseropleier gevind, aanvanklik by die Wellington Onderwyserskollege en daarna by die US, waarna hy teen van 2005 as hoogleraar in omgewingsopvoeding aan die US afgetree het en hom op Velddrif kom vestig het.
     Hy laat sy vrou, Mirna, met wie hy 42 jaar getroud was, na; sy kinders, Dirk, Marietjie Verster en Christine Quinn; kleinkinders Hannah, Klara, Lea, Eben en Christaan; susters Mariana Gerber en Annatjie Hanekom en broer, Dirk; en sy ma, Christine Smith (89).
    Die verlies vir die gemeenskap is groot. Die verlies vir sy gesin en familie kan nie gemeet word nie.

Kom speel netbal

2011-03-23T12:54:00.006+02:00

Velddrif het volop netbal-talent, sê mev. Annatjie Jacobs, sameroepster vir netbal vir die Visfabrieke Sporttoernooi wat jaarliks hier gehou word en lid van die Velddrif Netbalklub.

Die begin van groter dinge.
Kom speel saam.

“Ons sien jaarliks by die Visfabrieketoernooi hope talent onder die sowat sewe netbalspanne wat deelneem. Ons wil baie graag hê hulle moet ook by die Velddrif Netbalklub aansluit.”

Die nuut-gestigde Velddrif Netbalklub soek talent. Die klub oefen Dinsdae en Donderdae van 6nm tot 7nm by die Hoërskool Velddrif se netbalbane en wil graag nog spelers betrek.

Mej. Doris Hiten, onderwyser en netbalafrigster by Velddrif Hoërskool, sê die klub het reeds vir ligas ingeskryf . Sy is vol geesdrif vir die spel. Bel haar by (083) 473 1675 om saam te speel, of vir Mev. Jacobs by (083) 657 4754.

Netball Sa

What will you be doing at the carnival?

2011-03-14T14:03:00.021+02:00

Will you be cruising on the river, hanging out in the bar, manning a stall or sampling the fare at the Berg River Winter Carnival? You might even be participating in the 50th Berg River Canoe Marathon. Gear up or dress up, tie your apron strings and make sure your place is booked from July 14 to 17.

Don't miss a trip with Dan.

All enterprises are invited and encouraged to organise promotions, functions or any fun activity during this period. Local businesses will be involved in die festivities as much as possible to ensure that income generated will boost Velddrif. That means there will be no beer tent, for example, as restaurants, pubs and all other entertainment venues will operate as usual and benefit from the carnival.

Local musicians, artists, crafters, writers and culture organisations are requested to participate. Please contact the organisers to suggest ideas and events for the carnival period. Stall owners must book their places as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Local suggestions and applications will enjoy first priority. Only bigger companies such as Coke, Lipton, Rooibos, from outside the orders of Velddrif will be asked to participate.

Contact details: bergwintercarnival@hotmail.com, or hand in written suggestions at Velddrif Tourism Office at Velddrif Library in Voortrekker Road.

Contact the following people to organise an event or concert or to rent a stall:

Nellie de Klerk (072-348 6226) - Pelican Harbour, art and stalls.
Chantal (082-496 8931), Soverby Lapa - Laaiplek Harbour area (heritage, culture and stalls)
Des en Marina Clunie (083-415 9524) - Bokkom Avenue (art and stalls relating to our bokkom trade)
Sandra Olivier (073-456 9663) & Tourism Office (022- 783 1821) - Square opposite Municipality (small business, tourism and stalls)
Port Owen Yacht Club (022-783 1923) - River activities (boat trips, rafts, etc.)

This giant painting of Bokkom Avenue is one of the attractions at
Pelican Harbour centre. It was made over a period of one week by
fourteen Velddrif artists, including Nellie de Klerk (in the picture)
owner of Artful Things gallery and craft shop in the centre.

Go beyond Google. Get seen on over 8,000 SA sites like mine - risk free. To learn more Click Here

Velddrif Animal Care gaan diere help

2011-03-03T13:34:00.009+02:00

Minstens 70 mense van Velddrif het Dinsdagaand, 22 Februarie, in die Gemeenskapsaal in Noordhoek vergader om 'n komitee te kies vir 'n dieresorgeenheid wat vir die dorp op die been gebring word.

Die inisiatief vir die stigting van Velddrif Animal Care, soos die eenheid bekend sal staan, het gekom van Celia Gildenhuys, Vera Acton en Joan du Plessis en hulle het gou ondersteuning gekry van Brian en Pat Caldwell, Cyril Bowyer, Vera Acton, Linda Tayas en Cathy Ahlers.

Celia Gildenhuys het saam met helpers te voet inligting oor die voorgenome eenheid en die stigtingsvergadering in die hele Noordhoekgebied versprei en voorspraak vir die stigting van die eenheid gemaak. Mense in die gebied was baie opgewonde oor die vooruitsig.

By die vergadering het iemand opgemerk dat dit “hoog tyd (is) dat ons so iets kry”.

Die doelwit is om 'n kliniek vir basiese sorg en dip van honde daar te stel en die DBV te help met die sterilisasie en kastrasie van katte en honde.

Die voorsitter, onder-voorsitter en tesourier van die loodskomitee, naamlik Vera Acton, Celia Gildenhuys en Brian Caldwell, is by die vergadering tot dieselfde portefeuljes vir Velddrif Animal Care gekies. Die name van die res van die komiteelede was ten tye van hierdie skrywe nog nie beskikbaar nie.

NAVRAE: Vera (022) 783 1883

Inform yourself at: http://www.animal-info.co.za/

WWF gekant teen myne in sensitiewe areas

2011-03-03T13:33:00.003+02:00

WWF Suid-Afrika wil hê dat sekere gebiede in die land verbode verklaar moet word vir mynaktiwiteite en het vroeër hierdie week ‘n lys sodanige gebiede vir die Minister van Minerale Hulpbronne gegee.

Een van die gebiede op die lys is die Ramsar-gebied van Verlorenvlei, wat op Woensdag 2 Februarie onder die loep gekom het op Internasionale Vleilanddag en ook saamgeval het met die Internasionale Biodiversiteitswerksessie wat hierdie week in die Bergrivier munispale gebied gehou word.

Die Moutonshoekgebied in die boloop van Verlorenvlei word bedreig deur ‘n wolframmyn- en prospekteeraansoek van Bongani Minerals. Dr Bennie van der Merwe, voorsitter van die Verlorenvleikoalisie, wat die aansoek beveg, het by Internasionale Vleilanddag gepraat. Hy het in ‘n onderhoud gesê die projek is nie lewensvatbaar nie en dat die omgewing onnodig blootgestel kan word as die aansoek goedgekeur word.

Mnr Mark Botha, die hoof van Biodiversiteit by die WWF, sê die lys is bedoel om die minister by te staan in die toepassing van artikel 49 van die Wet op die Ontwikkeling van Minerale en Petroleumhulpbronne, 2002, wat die die goedkeuring van permitte en regte vir verkenning, prospektering en mynbou verbied of beperk.

“Hierdie voorstel sal die minister in staat stel om te voorkom dat mynbou en prospektering plaasvind in sekere gebiede wat van kritieke belang is vir biodiversiteit, kultuurerfenis en hidrologie.”

Bergriviermonding in gevaar vanweë gebrek aan bestuur

2011-03-03T13:32:00.004+02:00

VELDDRIF. – Die Bergriviermonding word deur swak bestuur bedreig. Dit is ‘n onomwonde feit wat Donderdag, 3 Februarie, vorendag gekom by die Internasionale Biodiversiteitwerksessie wat op Velddrif ten einde geloop het.

Afgevaardigdes uit 17 lande en 60 stede het saamgestem dat die bestuursituasie rede tot groot kommer is en die waardevolle riviermonding se toekoms as gevolg daarvan in die weegskaal is.

Die werksessie is hierdie week in die Bergrivier munisipale streek aangebied deur LAB (Local Action for Biodiversity), onder die vaandel van ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability). Mnr Danie Schreuder, voorsitter van die Bestuursforum vir die Bergriviermonding het gepraat oor die inskakeling van biodiversiteit by gemeenskapsontwikkeling en die plaaslike ekonomie.

Die algemene slotsom was dat Bergriviermonding ‘n unieke gebied is, maar ly onder die totale gebrek aan bestuur. Afgevaardiges het saamgestem dat die Bergrivier Munisipaliteit ‘n omgewingsbestuurder behoort aan te stel om dringend aandag te gee aan die behoeftes van die monding.

Mnr Cobie Liebenberg, burgermeester van Bergrivier Munisipaliteit, het ook gesê “die monding het baie potensiaal, maar moet doeltreffend bestuur word om dit te realiseer”.

Volgens berekenings gebaseer op inligting wat verskaf is deur kundiges wat deur die munisipaliteit aangestel was om ‘n verslag oor die monding te doen, het die Bergriviermonding die potensiaal om R75 miljoen per jaar te genereer. Tog word geen geld op die bestuur daarvan gespandeer nie. Faktore wat by die berekenings in ag geneem is, is die waarde van huise in die omgewing, toerisme en inkomste uit visvangs.

Die uniekheid van die gebied lê daarin dat dit ‘n buitengewoon groot oop monding is en besonder baie broeiplek vir vis en voël bied. Dit word met goeie rede die kleuterskool van die oseaan genoem. Dit is dus van groot belang vir die aanvulling van ons visbronne en impak ook op die visindustrie.

Van die faktore wat die monding negatief beïnvloed, is landboubesoedeling en die grootskaalse onttrekking van vars water vir landboubesproeiing uit die rivier.

Die sowat 70 afgevaardigdes het ná besprekings met vier bote op die rivier uitegevaar om die monding van nader te beskou en oplossings vir die gebied se problem te probeer vind.

Die Bergrivier Munisipaliteit was een van die eerste munisipaliteite in die land wat by LAB aangesluit het en die Internasionale Biodiversiteitswerkssessie wat nou hier gehou is, is ‘n uitvloeisel hiervan. “Hierdie stap kan nou vir Bergrivier se gemeenskap vrugte afwerp,” sê mnr Liebenberg. “Biodiversiteit maak die tipe ekosisteem waarvan die mens vir oorlewing en lewenskwaliteit afhanklik is, moontlik. Die beskerming van biodiversiteit ter wille van ons gemeenskappe is dus van kritiese belang.”

Voorgestelde myn bedreig stabiliteit van Verlorenvlei-omgewing

2011-03-03T13:32:00.002+02:00

Die inwoners van die Moutonshoek in die boloop van Verlorenvlei kry nou al bykans ses jaar swaar vanweë die bedreiging wat voorgestelde mynaktiwiteite vir die omgewing inhou, sê Dr Bennie van der Merwe, ‘n grondeienaar van die omgewing en voorsitter van die Verlorenvleikoalisie wat die wolframmyn- en prospekteeraansoek van Bongani Minerals beveg.
“Dis tyd dat `n verantwoordelike regering hierdie nonsens stop,” het hy gesê in ‘n onderhoud nadat hy gepraat het gepraat by die geleentheid van Internasionale Vleilanddag op Woensdag 3 Februarie by die Ramsar-gebied van Verlorenvlei. “Die projek is nie lewensvatbaar nie, maar die omgewing kan nogtans blootgestel word ter wille van ‘n onderneming wat finansieel gedoem is.”
Vleilanddag het saamgeval met die Internasionale Biodiversiteitswerksessie wat hierdie week in die Bergirivier munispale streek plaasgevind het, aangebied deur LAB (Local Action for Biodiversity), wat aan munispaliteite en regerings leiding gee ten opsigte van die ekonomiese en bewuste bestuur van die omgewing.
“Ons grond verminder in waarde en die gemeenskap se moraal ly onder die bedreiging wat moontlike mynaktiwiteite vir ons omgewing inhou, en dit net omdat sekere individue dink hier is vinnig geld te maak,” het Dr Van der Merwe gesê.
Werkverskaffing deur die voorgestelde mynontwikkeling is een van die voordele wat aan die gemeenskap voorgehou word.
“ ‘n Mens moet jou egter nie hierteen blind staar nie, “ het Dr Van der Merwe in sy aanbieding op Internasionale Vleilanddag gesê. Hy het daarop gewys dat die 407 werksgeleenthede wat uit die beoogde myonderneming kan voortspruit, nie opweeg teen die verlies van werk vir 500 permanente werknemers en 1000 kontrakwerkers in die gebied nie. Die meeste van hierdie werkers is voorheen benadeelde vroue.
Moutonshoek is ‘n uitgestrekte, geil landbougebied met produktiewe plase. Landbouproduksie en die daarmee gepaardgaande werkverskaffing, asook die klimaat, sal aangetas word as die mynontwikkeling toegelaat word.
Dr Van der Merwe het gesê dit is ‘n tendens dat wolframmyne vanweë pryswisselings nie volgehou produktief is nie. Die vooruitskouing dat die myn 17 jaar lank sal produseer, is dus nie realisties nie. Pryswisselings kan veroorsaak dat dit slegs produktief is wanneer dit winsgewend is om te myn. Dit kan beteken dat die lewensduur van die myn – en die meegaande voordele – selfs oor 40 jaar versprei kan wees.
Die werkverskaffing wat uit die mynonderneming kan spruit, kan dus net so wisselvallig wees as die myn se produksie. Verder verskaf soortgelyke myne werk aan 74 mense, nie 407, soos wat Bongani Minerals beraam nie. Sulke myne is ook hoogs gemeganiseerd.
Die eerste aansoek met betrekking tot mynaktiwiteit in die omgewing is in 2005 gedoen. Aanvanklik is beweer dat die gebied die sesde grootste neerslag in die wêreld is. Dr Van der Merwe het daarop gewys dat dit dalk die geval mag gewees het in 1980, toe Sjina se neerslae nog nie gelys was nie, maar dat nog 30 jaar van eksplorasie intussen verloop het. Moutonshoek se wolframneerslag pryk nou 140ste uit 154 gelyste neerslae. Boonop is die neerslag te diep vir ‘n oopgroefmyn, maar te vlak vir ‘n konvensionele myn. Die wolframgraad is ook baie laag.
Mynaktiwiteite sal ook negatiewe en onomkeerbare gevolge vir natuurlewe en die gemeenskap hê in ‘n omgewing wat reik is aan biodiversiteit, landbou en kultuurerfenis en kan die verlies beteken van bedreigde plantsoorte soos Leipoldtville sandfynbos en die Swartland skalie-renosterbos. Besoedeling en die aantasting van water- en voeselbronne, die klimaat en plant-, voël- en dierelewe is verdere redes tot kommer.

Carnival time!

2011-03-03T13:31:00.005+02:00

Velddrif is getting ready to hold a winter Winter Carnival to coincide with the 50th Berg River Marathon which is being held in July this year.

The historical occasion of the marathon is an excellent occasion to start making a new history - that of the Velddrif Winter carnival.

Mr. Leon Terblanche, chairman of the carnival committee, says the involvement of the community and businesses in Velddrif are the most important factors being kept in mind in planning the carnival. The committee has been meeting since last year.The complete business plan was tabled at its last meeting on February 8. (Further information on the matters considered at the meeting will follow.)

At this point, the following is being planned:

The carnival will be centred in six areas in the Velddrif area: Around the minicipal building in Voortrekker Road, the Laaiplek Hotel and SA Fisheries Museum in the Laaiplek Harbour area, the area from Noordhoek towards Dwarskersbos (Soverby Lapa included), Pelican Harbour area, the whole of Bokkom Avenue, and Port Own.

Each area will focus on its unique characteristics and arrange entertainment around that. Transport will be made available by taxi or boat between the diffrent areas or private transport can be used. An exciting part of the programme will be a float procession on the river on Saterday July 16, the last day of the Berg River Canoe Marathon. Sport events will be organised under auspices of the Berg River Sport Trust.

Enquiries: Leon Terblanche, bergwintercarnival@hotmail.com.

Art exhibition focuses on biodiversity

2011-03-03T13:25:00.002+02:00

A giant artwork produced by Piketberg children, titled "The Big Picture" (see below), is the centre of attraction at the Biodiversity Workshop Exhibition that opened at the AntheA Delmotte Gallery in Piketberg last night (Friday, February 11).

This picture of earth in space measures 2,7m x 4,5m and was made for the occasion of the the International Biodiversity Workshop that was held in the Bergrivier municipal area this month. (See this page.) It was also on display in the conference hall at the Riviera Hotel in Velddrif, where the international workshop took place from Monday, January 31, to Friday, February 4.

The project for the children's artwork was sponsored by the Bergrivier Municipality. Its purpose was to inform children about the importance and the unique nature of their environment and explain the purpose of the International Biodiversity Workshop – and also to teach them basic aristic principles and painting skills, while occupying them in a meaningful way during the school holidays.(See article "Drawing the Line" on http://anartthing.blogspot.com/)

Professional artists participating in the Biodiversity Workshop Exhibition are Jeannette Unite, Clare Menck, Anthea Delmotte, Madelein Marincowitz, Brahm van Zyl, Annelie Venter, Pieter Bruwer, Mary Duncan, Susan Kemp (see artwork below), and Tereza Harling.

THE BIG PICTURE, on display at the Biodiversity Workshop Exhibition,
Anthea Delmotte Gallery, 47 Voortrekker Rd, Piketberg.

Biodiversitree Moon, by Susan Kemp