The announcement will cover the following areas:

Sanitation

Clean drinking water

Electricity

Housing

Refuse removal

Upgrading of storm water system

State of readiness of the municipality during disaster and floods

Your presence will be highly appreciated.

Get ready for the best wine and lifestyle festival in the Klein Karoo! Calitzdorp, the Port Capital of South Africa, is the place to be over the weekend of 18 to 20 May as visitors from across the country make their way to the annual Absa Calitzdorp Port & Wine Festival. 

Promising to be bigger and better in 2012, new programme events assure visitors that the festival will be a guaranteed social calendar highlight.  Furthermore, the organising committee is extremely proud to announce that Absa has awarded the festival a 3-year headline sponsorship contract.  So come join us in Calitzdorp in celebration of our wonderful diversity of wines, local produce, fauna, flora and natural beauty – the tourism destination of choice! 

The Absa Calitzdorp Port & Wine Festival will be hosted by renowned Port producers, Axe Hill, Boplaas, Calitzdorp Cellar, De Krans, Du’SwaRoo, Peter Bayly, TTT and Withoek in partnership with naming right sponsor Absa, from 2012 to 2014. 

Following the outstanding success of the 2009 and 2011 Festivals, the 2012 Absa Calitzdorp Port & Wine Festival will again be centred at the historic Calitzdorp Railway Station, well-complimented by a full and fabulous programme of events at the various wine cellars and village venues. 

New and not-to-be-missed events include:

Barrel samples of the unique Calitzdorp Blend (from Portuguese cultivars), to be launched at the festival, will be available at the eight cellars in Calitzdorp.  Be the first to sample this unique wine offering in the country!

A unique cooking demonstration with Emile Joubert and Elize Beyers Tinta Barocca, Touriga Nacional and Port wines from Calitzdorp;

The first ever ostrich on the spit braai!  Will it take the region by storm??  Come along to find out!

A Cheese & Wine Celebration ‘PORT, WINE & PLAASKAAS hosted by Cape Wine Academy Master Junel Vermeulen and cheese experts Brian & Jo Dick, will showcase regional and international cheeses with Port and port cultivar wines;

A special journey into the past with “Stoep Stories” will be hosted by Ollie Viljoen & Kie.  Sit back and unwind with wine and snacks on the Calitzdorp Cellar verandah overlooking the beautiful Gamka Valley as you travel back in time to the slower, old days of Calitzdorp;

A “Tickled Pink” theme will add a touch of excitement to the ever-popular and fabulous Port Dance.  Hosted by theCalitzdorpHigh School, this promises to be an evening of excellent entertainment, good food, Port, wine, music and dancing until late into the night.  Tickets sell out fast so be sure to book as soon as Computicket bookings open;

A lazy, slowdown late afternoon Rustic Cellar Soirée with guitar classics, Port and wine sun-downers at Axe Hill Cellar;

AMediterraneanor Klein Karoo themed menu on offer at participating restaurants;

A fun-filled informal Wine Blending workshop – learn how to blend wine and then take a bottle of Calitzdorp wine home with you!

Chef Marc Lorenz showcases delectable Port cocktails which will be served at Karoo Life throughout the festival. 

And not forgetting the other festival favourites which include:

Tasting at the Station Barn:  Ports and Port cultivar wines (Calitzdorp, participating Cape Port Producer’s Association (CAPPA) and Klein Karoo Wine Route (KKWR) members), or visit the various cellars;

“Unravelling the mysteries of Port”  to be presented by Carel Nel, Boets Nel and Fanie Geyser at Boplaas Cellar in conjunction with a guest geologist who will unravel the terroir of the region;

The popular “Chocolate and Port / Wine Decadence” will be hosted byBelgiumtrained Chocolatier Marita Lamprecht and Cape Wine Academy Master Junel Vermeulen.  Sample local Ports and Port wine cultivars with the most decadentBelgiumstyle chocolates specially handcrafted to suit the Ports and wines.

Youth and Local Artists Expo to be held in the DR Church Hall;

Arts Meander of the wealth of artists in various media;

Biodiversity Expo, Boulles and Jukskei Competitions, Cultural/Historical Meander, Organ recital daily in the magnificent stone Dutch Reformed Church, Children’s entertainment at the Calitzdorp Station and the main cellars,

Tractor rides to the various cellars;

Quality upmarket food and lifestyle stalls, coffee shops and restaurants with menus to suit everyone’s taste and so much more;

The indulgent and lazy end to the festival with theMediterraneanstyle Long Table Brunch  onSunday 20 May 2012under the trellised vines at the Station Ticket office; 

The annual domino competition winners will once again be awarded at the Festival but due to the earlier festival date, the vine pruning competition will be held in June when the vines are at their best for their annual trim. 

For more details on the festival, as well as tourism and accommodation information visit www.portwinefestival.co.za, which is updated regularly. Programme event details will be added to the website from mid-March 2012. 

TICKETS:  Pre-book through Computicket (from mid-March 2012) or book during the festival at the Calitzdorp Computicket Box Office which will be conveniently located at the Calitzdorp Station festival grounds.    Check the Computicket website from mid-March 2012 for early bird entrance ticket specials. 

ACCOMMODATION:  Contact Calitzdorp Tourism on 044 2133 775 or tourism@calitzdorp.org.za or visit the website at www.calitzdorp.org.za . 

A unique jam-packed festival in the heart of the Klein Karoo – a festival of many happy returns!  Diarise the date of 18 to 20 May 2012 and join us in the gem of the Klein Karoo – Calitzdorp!

Oudtshoorn amateur Morne Tome (left) and his professional partner, Jake Redman from George (right) receive their prizes from Tony Smallwood, the Vodacom Executive Head: Indirect Sales Channel during the prize giving at the Vodacom Origins of Golf at Simola Country Club in Knysna. Credit: Luke Walker/Sunshine Tour.

Two days earlier, Tome had never heard of Redman. But after two days of superb dovetailing at Simola Country Club, the pair picked up the first prize in the 36-hole amateur competition with a landslide victory.

And while the Oudtshoorn amateur claimed the first spot for the Vodacom Origins of Golf Final at the Fancourt Links in September, Redman took a two shot lead into today’s final round, courtesy of a 69 and a superb eight-under-par 64.

“One of the exciting features of the series is that the professionals’ names are drawn and the amateurs get to pick their partners,” Tome explained.

“The higher ranked and more well-known pros are usually snapped up early, but since I didn’t have a clue who to pick, I went with a friend’s recommendation and waited for Jake Redman’s name.”

Tome said he had quite a wait for Redman’s name to come up. “I’d never met him, but we just clicked from the word go.”

In fact, the pair combined for 94 points to finish four points clear of their nearest challengers. And now Tome is the one laughing.

“The guys joked that I’d picked a rank outsider, but Jake actually turned out to be the dark horse of the tournament,” said Tome. “And he is a helluva nice guy, to boot. If he doesn’t win here this week, I don’t doubt for a minute that he has what it takes to win this tournament and then some.”

Tome is quite excited at the prospect of challenging at Fancourt for the chance to play a round of golf with two-time US Open winner, Retief Goosen, whose career and his contribution to golf is being celebrated in this year’s series, dubbed “The Goose Chase”.

“It will be a bun fight come September, because everyone will play to win to play with Goose,” said Tome, then added: “Of course, I would love the chance to play with a pro of Goose’s calibre and show him a few things.”

The pair also contributed 20 birdies to Vodacom’s ongoing Birdies for Kiddies campaign.

This year, the charity effort which raised more than R3-million last year, will see sponsors Vodacom donate 100 meals for every birdie scored during each of the six Vodacom Origins of Golf tournaments.

The recipients are  five organisations that care for abandoned, orphaned, malnourished and abused children, including African Children’s Feeding Scheme (ACFS), Project Noah, New Beginningz, Ndlovu Medical Trust and the WMCA.

Sunshine Tour rookie Ruan de Smidt aced the 17th hole during Wednesday’s first round and was thrilled to learn that his hole-in-one significantly boosted the campaign.

“During the prize giving we were told that the tally stands on 544, which equals 54,400 meals so far this year, but then they announced that my hole-in-one contributed a further 10,000 meals,” he said.

“This is all going to such a good cause and that will make the memory of my first ace just so much more special. Kind of wants you to go out there and get a few more.”

Tome will be joined at Fancourt by the nine other amateurs in the top 10, including Dayalan Chinsammy, Rory Scott, Guy Mourant, Cameron McCulloch, Garth Webster, Jacques du Plessis, Charles Greig, Marco dos Santos and Richard Jansen, who snuck in on an 86 points count out with Boland professional, Keenan Davidse.

Agriculture MEC Gerrit van Reinsburg met with industry players in Oudtshoorn earlier.

More than 40,000 ostriches have been culled since the initial outbreak of avian influenza in March 2011.

The European Union also imposed a ban on South African ostrich exports at a cost of hundreds of millions of rand to affected farmers.

The EU imported 90 percent ofSouth Africa’s ostrich meat.

The department’s Wouter Kriel said, “The Department of Agriculture will conclude the culling operation that has been ongoing for the past year in the ostrich industry. The last 360 ostriches will be culled this week.”

The department said it would monitor the area carefully in the following weeks.

The department will in the next three months apply to the EU for the resumption of ostrich exports.

According to the department, the entireKleinKarooValley, home to about 70 percent of the country’s ostrich industry, was affected by the outbreak.

The affected farmers received R50 million in compensation from the national government.

The Oudtshoorn Municipal Council handed over four completed housing units of the 48 infill sites housing projects that is currently underway to beneficiaries near Toekomsrus, on19 April 2012.

This construction of the 48 housing units which commenced in February this year, is a continuation of the 129 housing units that have already been handed over to beneficiaries last year and early this year. Among the first four receipients were a 97-year-old man and a physically challenged person.

The houses were handed over by the Speaker of the Oudtshoorn Municipal Council, cllr. John Stoffels.

Erik Van Rooyen Played in the NCAA San Diego Regional Last Season.

The NCAA announced today that Universityof Minnesota junior Erik Van Rooyen has been awarded one of 10 individual spots at one of six Men’s Regional Golf Tournaments, played May 17-19.

Van Rooyen, who played in the NCAA’s San Diego Regional last season, finishing in a tie for 51st place, will represent the Gophers in the Ann Arbor Regional at theUniversityof Michigan Golf Course in Ann Arbor.

Thirteen teams and 10 individuals not on those teams will compete at each of three regionals while the other three regionals will have 14 teams and five individuals not on those teams. The low five teams and the low individual not on those teams from each regional will advance to the finals. The finals will be conducted May 29-June 1, at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif.

Van Rooyen, who was recently named Second Team All-Big Ten, is coming off of his second consecutive top-10 finish at the Big Ten Championships with a seventh place finish in French Lick, Ind. Last season he earned All-Big Ten Championship Tournament Team honors following a third place finish.

A native of Oudtshoorn, South Africa, Van Rooyen led the Gophers in the fall and spring seasons in stroke average at 73.2 and 71.9, respectively. His combined stroke average of 72.6 this season is the 12-lowest in the history of Minnesota golf and is his lowest in the three seasons he has been at the U. His current career average of 73.77 is the ninth-lowest in Gopher Golf history.

Van Rooyen finished the regular season having posted three top-10 and six top-20 finishes in 10 tournaments, including a third place finish at the LSU Invitational in March.

NCAA Ann Arbor Regional Teams in order of Seeding: 1- USC, 2- Oregon, 3- Kent State, 4- Virginia, 5- Baylor, 6- Oklahoma State, 7- Kennesaw State, 8- TCU, 9- Purdue, 10- North Carolina State, 11- Notre Dame, 12- Ohio State, 13- Navy

NCAA Ann Arbor Regional Individuals: Erik Van Rooyen (Minnesota) ,Peter Williamson (Dartmouth), Matt Thompson (Michigan), Sebastian Maclean (Xavier), Dan Ellis (MichiganState), Tyler Merkel

(BallState), Charlie Bull (Akron),ChadEbert (UWGreen Bay), William Park (Army) and Greg Matthias (Delaware)

MILESTONES:

Finished sophomore season with a stroke average of 73.02, the 21st-lowest in the history of the program • will enter the spring season of his junior year in Maroon & Gold with a career stroke average of 74.13, which ranks 11th in the Gophers’ career records book.

2011-12 • JUNIOR SEASON:

Competed in all five ofMinnesota’s fall events with a team-leading stroke average of 73.26 • finished sixth at the AutoTrader Classic after a 5-under final round of 67 • finished in the top 20 in four of five tournaments, including the sixth-place finishes and two top-12 finishes.

2010-11 • SOPHOMORE SEASON:

Played in all 11 of the team’s regular season events on the season• finished the season with in a tie for 51st finish at the NCAA San Diego Regional • held the team’s second-lowest stroke average on the season at 73.02 • had eight top-20 and three top-10 finishes on the season • established a career-low by carding a opening-round six-under 66 at the Alister MacKenzie Invitational • followed that up rounds of 67 & 71 for a 54-hole score of nine0under par 204, also career lows • best finish on the season came in the Big Ten Championships where he finished fourth overall • team counted 31 of 33 rounds on the season • named to the PING All-Region team.

2009-10 • FRESHMAN SEASON:

Played in nine of the team’s 11 tournaments in his freshman campaign • posted a stroke average 76.07 in 27 rounds played • best finish of the season was a T14th at the Gophers Invitational as an individual • carded a career-low 68 in the final round of the Gopher Invitational • opened the Alister Mackenzie with a 2-under 70.

SUMMER 2009 • AMATEUR PLAY:

Was the runner-up at the 2009 Gauteng North Open in January after rounds of 69-67-68 • placed fifth in the 2009 FS&NC Open with a 72-hole score of 282 • placed 21st at the 2009 Boland Open with rounds of 72-71-73.

HIGH SCHOOL:

A native ofOudtshoorn,South Africa• a graduate ofOudtshoornHigh School• awarded South African Provincial and National Colours.

PERSONAL:

BornFeb. 21, 1990• son of Wim and Elize Van Rooyen • majoring in Business Marketing with a minor in Management • has a pair of siblings; Francois (25) and Marlean (17) • enjoys playing guitar and listening to music.

CAREER STATS:

Year Tournaments Rounds Strokes Average – Par Top 10 Finishes Low Round

2009-10 9 27 2054 76.07 2 — 68

2010-11 12 36 2629 73.02 12 2 66

2011-12 5 15 1099 73.26 2 1 67

Total 26 78 5782 74.13 16 3 66

CAREER BESTS:

Round: 66 Alister MacKenzie10/18/10

Finish: 4th Big Ten Championships 4/29-5/1/11

Score: 204 Alister MacKenzie 10/18-19/10

Tourn. Score to Par: -9 Alister MacKenzie 10/18-19/10

The 361km race, which followed a relatively circular loop and which had a 36.1-hour cut-off limit, revealed that it is essentially a unique hybrid event incorporating certain elements of stage racing, marathon racing and 24-hour racing.

“It’s an event that challenges in so many ways because it requires both day time and night time riding,” said Carel Herholdt of Dryland Event Management, the company that manages the 36ONE MTB Challenge. “It’s also a non-stop race, which really tests your endurance capacity and pacing judgment.”

First across the finish line in a time of 15 hours 27 minutes 13 seconds was Team C4D, a two-rider team comprising Jacques van Staden and Danzil Afrika. Incredibly, after a total distance of 361km, they ousted race-long rivals, Tony Conlon and Pete Stopforth of Marsilio Projects, to claim the victory by just one second!

The first multi-rider team (non-relay) home in 18 hours 01 minutes 46 seconds was the three-man Screaming Eagles unit, comprising Colin du Plessis, Jan Zonnestein and Paul Micklewood.

Christiaan van Zyl, a 40-year-old businessman fromCape Townwon the solo men’s race in a time of 18 hours 17 minutes 41 seconds. Stephen Drew (18:59.39) and Kevin Taljaard (19:22.22) finished second and third respectively in an event that saw the majority of the entrants (both solo and teams) finish inside 24 hours.

In the women’s solo race, highly decorated veteran athlete and former ABSA Cape Epic winner, Hannele Steyn, claimed the honours, finishing an impressive sixth overall in 19:43.24.

The event started at 21h00 on Friday 4 May with a cut-off at 09h06 on Sunday 6 May.

“A total of 89% of the entrants completed the event, which shows that while it offers a significant endurance challenge, it’s not out of reach for the majority of committed mountain bikers and even weekend warriors,” said Herholdt.

“The team that finished third in the relay section, Wilderness Wheelers Grand Masters, comprised four riders with an average age of 62. That just shows how well this race accommodates all types of riders.”

Steven Liptz, co-founder of 36ONE Asset Management, the title sponsor, attended the event and was amazed by its impact.

“If you consider that the race distance is close to half that of the entireCapeEpic, and that the riders rode through night and day and some into night again, in temperatures that ranged from close to zero and up to over 30 degrees Celsius, you realise what a remarkable event this is,” remarked Liptz.

“We plan to grow the 36ONE MTB Challenge in future, both in terms of rider value and participant numbers. Because of the relay option, it’s an event that anyone can actually be a part of, which makes it quite special. Because it’s unique and because it offers such a formidable distance, it aligns well with our 36ONE business values of hard work, passion, dedication, team work, perseverance and, of course, fun!”

Men’s solo category winner, Christiaan van Zyl, was full of praise for the inaugural edition of the event.

“We were very fortunate it was the ‘super’ full moon and there was no cloud cover. It really made the night-time riding easier, but obviously it was essential to have a decent headlight too,” he said.

“I didn’t go to the race with the aim of winning, but I did want to do well as I really enjoy my endurance events,” added Van Zyl, who completed the event on a 26-inch hardtail bike.

“My back and glutes are a bit sore still, I could have done with some rear suspension for comfort. The event was extremely well organised. There was a refreshment point every 30km or so with all sorts of good food on offer. You don’t really need a back-up team. The route wasn’t too technical – more an endurance test than a skill test, but very worthwhile,” said Van Zyl, adding that he’ll definitely return for the 2013 edition of the race.

36ONE MTB Challenge, 361km, Oudtshoorn

Leading results:

Relay teams

1 Team C4D – Jacques van Staden / Danzil Afrika 15hrs27min13sec

2 Marsilio Projects – Tony Conlon / Pete Stopforth 15:27.14

3 Wilderness Wheelers Grand Masters – Johan Nicol, Gerhard Muller, Jan van der Westhuizen, Clive Rennie 18:26.32

Teams

1 Screaming Eagles – Colin du Plessis, Jan Zonnestein, Paul Micklewood 18:01.46

2 Perfect Balance – Johan Bornman, Marlize Moolman 21:48.34

3 Beenhare – Andre Visser, Luther Erasmus

Solo men

1 Christiaan van Zyl 18:17.41

2 Stephen Drew 18:59.39

3 Kevin Taljaard 19:22.22

Solo women

1 Hannele Steyn 19:43.24

2 Marzanne Kriel 22:00.27

3 Thea-Mari van der Sandt 25:31.24

Babbel, from the innovative pen of theatre maker, Nicola Hanekom, was crowned with the Absa Kanna for Best Debut work, the Absa Herrie Kanna for Mind Shifting work, as well as the ATKV Kanna for Best Theatre Production. Hanekom received the Kanna for Best Director for the third year in a row, following her acclaimed productions Betésda (2010) and Lot (2011). Tinarie van Wyk Loots received the Sarie Kanna for Best Actress for her performance in Babbel, with Brendon Daniels receiving the Windhoek Lager Kanna for Best Actor for his performances in both Babbel and Rooiland. Babbel is the final chapter in Hanekom’s trilogy that now boasts with twelve Kanna Awards in total.

The organist Winand Grundling received the Slurpie Kanna for Best Upcoming Artist for his 14 Stasies van die Kruis. This partially improvised recital was also crowned with the kykNET Kanna for Best Classical Music presentation. My broetjie, my bra, with Emo and Loukmaan Adams was crowned as Best Music Production. Emo Adams also received an honorable mention, as an established artist who stood out in various productions during the 2012 festival. The Visual Arts exhibition, Vrees en verlies by Katie Barnard du Toit, was crowned with the Kanna for Best Visual Arts exhibition.

The Special Kanna for interpretation was awarded to theatre veteran, Louis van Niekerk. The Afrikaans Onbeperk-prize for lifetime achievement was awarded to Abraham H. de Vries; and Ronelda S. Kamfer was the first recipient of the Afrikaans Onbeperk-prize for a young voice. Louis von Zeuner, Deputy Chief Executive of Absa, was awarded a Special Kanna for exceptional contribution to the arts.

The Kanna Awards ceremony was held on the 6th of May in theMountNelsonHotelinCape Town, with Vicky Davis as hostess. This year’s Kanna trophies, the Grand finale, also known as the Klein Karoo Oscars, were sculpted by Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe for the sixth and final time this year.

The Kanna panel that considered all the productions at this year’s festival, was led by Erns Grundling, assisted by David April, Charl Bezuidenhout, Willemien Brümmer, Chrisna du Preez, Eduard Greyling, Hylton Nel, Robert Pearce, Laetitia Pople, Pieter Redelinghuys, Martjie Roos, John Theodore, Wim Vorster, Hein Willemse and Celeste Williams.

The 19th Absa KKNK takes place in Oudtshoorn from Friday, 29 March toSaturday, 6 April 2013.

Issued by the Absa KKNK

’n Teksontwikkelingskompetisie wat die Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) in samewerking met die Dagbreek Trust aanpak, is by die Kanna-toekenningsgeselligheid aangekondig.

Die geselligheid is gister in die Mount Nelson-hotel in Kaapstad gehou en Kanna-pryse is in verskillende kategorieë toegeken aan kunstenaars wat vanjaar uitsonderlike werk op die KKNK gedoen het.

Brett Pyper, uitvoerende hoof van die Absa KKNK, het bekend gemaak die kompetisie is begin vir dramaturge van wie daar nog nie voorheen ’n produksie op die verhoog gesien is nie. Die wenner sal R50 000 ontvang om ’n teks te ontwikkel en dan in samewerking met ’n gevestigde regisseur op te voer. Belangstellendes het tot 2 Juniekansom ’n konsep voor te lê.

Pyper het ook aangekondig dat daar in die toekoms groter samewerking met teatermakers gaan wees. Onder die vaandel van Kuns Onbeperk gaan ’n strategie ontwikkel word vir nouer samewerking en kunste-ontwikkeling tussen kunstefeeste.

Absa het by die geleentheid ook R30 000 aan die Teaterbystandsfonds geskenk. Hierdie fonds word aangewend om afge­trede akteurs en akteurs wat finansieel sukkel, by te staan.

Die akteur Louis van Niekerk, wat die fonds in die lewe geroep het, het by gistermiddag se geleentheid ’n spesiale Kanna vir vertolking ontvang.

Die skrywer Abraham H. de Vries het die Afrikaans Onbeperk-verering (geborg deur ­Media24) ontvang vir sy lewensbydrae.

Ook van Afrikaans ­Onbeperk het die digter Ronelda S. Kanfer die prys vir nuwe stem (geborg deur die KKNK) ontvang.

’n Spesiale Kanna vir diens aan die kunste is aan ­Louis von Zeuner, adjunk- uitvoerende hoof van Absa, oorhandig.

De Vries het na ontvangs van sy prys gesê die toekenning bewys die stelling dat ’n profeet nie in sy eie land geëer word nie as ’n leuen.

Die kunstenaar Katie Barnard du Toit, wat die Kanna vir beste visuele kunsaanbieding ontvang het vir Vrees en Verlies, het ’n roerende pleidooi gelewer dat daar gepraat en gehandel moet word oor die bedreiging van skaliegas-hidrobreking wat die Karoo vernietig.VLees op bl. 10 wie die wenners van die ander Kanna-pryse is.

- Die Burger

4 May 2012 – Prince Albert Golf Club may have just a handful of members, but the community of the sleepy hamlet in theCentral Karoohas an excellent reputation for uniting for an important cause. And when this year’s 20th Sanlam Cancer Challenge teed off, Prince Albert once again responded by raising R18 200 for the fight against cancer.

Christine Snyman, chairman of the local chapter for the Cancer Association of South Africa, and auctioneer Mark Steyn during the auction at the Sanlam Cancer Challenge golf day at Prince Albert Golf Club (credit Christine Snyman).

“Over the last four years, Prince Albert Golf Club and the community here has really rallied to support the Sanlam Cancer Challenge, but this year we have really thrown down the gauntlet by showing them just how to step up to the plate for a great cause like cancer prevention and research,” said Christine Snyman, chairman of the local chapter for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).

With just R660 in the kitty from the 11 members who entered this year’s challenge, Snyman, her CANSA committee and the golf club executive took their plight to the community, who responded with great country gusto.

“We have always relied on the community and the people fromPrince Alberthave always supported the Sanlam Cancer Challenge, but this year they rallied like never before,” said Snyman.

Donations flooded in, including two kudus, three sheep, cakes and gifts for the auction, and nearly all the trappings for a sit-down dinner at the golf club to the count of 140 people.

“We received just about everything we needed to feed 140 people at a gala dinner, including meat and sausage, pap and sauce, vegetables, salads, breads and a generous helping of vinegar pudding and custard each,” Snyman explained.

Tickets were sold at R60 a head and the club was packed to the rafters.

“In fact, we had an overspill of about 40 people, who kindly took their meals outside. We may have to consider a marquise tent next year. And whatever was left over, was sold at the end of the night.”

Snyman said the auction, which follows the dinner and has become a popular annual attraction, surpassed her greatest expectations.

“The club captain and secretary, Evert van Zyl and Rynardt Botes, each donated a sheep, while two local farmers, Hennie du Plessis and Faan de Wit, donated a kudu each for our Sanlam Cancer Challenge auction.

“Marelize Vorster donated three cakes, valued around R100 each. They were auctioned for R200 to R300 apiece, put back on auction by the buyers and sold again, bringing in over R1000. Cecile Olckers also gifted us the most beautiful jewellery and gift baskets from her gift shop for the auction.

“Bergwater Wines also donated a five litre bottle, valued at R800, which sold at auction for R1500.”

And even the local butchery got in on the action.

“Two of our members, Das Olivier and Johan Fourie, who own the Karoo Slaghuis, filled a large glass jar with bottle tops,” Van Zyl explained. “For R10 a ticket, people guessed the amount of tops in the jar and the butchers donated a sheep for the winner. They also made a killing.”

After all was said and done, thePrince Albertcommunity raised their 2011 effort by more than R5 000 and certainly raised the bar for the rest of the county.

“It is CANSA’s 80th birthday and the 20th anniversary of the Sanlam Cancer Challenge, so let’s make this year’s Cancer Challenge one to remember,” said Snyman.

Sanlam Sponsorship Manager Gary van Loggerenberg said the efforts of Prince Albert Golf Club epitomises the spirit of the Sanlam Cancer Challenge.

“The golfing community is one of CANSA’s strongest allies.Prince AlbertGolf Club have not only set the bar for other golf clubs around the country, but they’ve shown how a community can pull together and join in the fight against cancer.

“The Sanlam Cancer Challenge is a tournament that enables club golfers anywhere in the country to do something positive and make a real impact through the game they love.”
The Sanlam Cancer Challenge’s significant status in South African golf will be recognised in the South African Golf Hall of Fame at the Oubaai Golf Estate near George, where the tournament will be permanently showcased.
The nationwide club competitions will take place from March to July, the Regional Finals from August to September, and culminating in the Finals at Sun City on both the Gary Player Country Club and Lost City Golf Club courses in October.

For more information go to www.sanlamcancerchallenge.co.za.