Starting Over In South Africa

When's 2023? I wannabe 14....

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Sat, 30 May 2009 17:46:00 +0000

When's 2023? Being one month sucks - everybody thinks they know exactly what I'm thinking and that all I do is sleep! When I'm 14, I'll let them know EXACTLY what I'm thinking! I know my cousin does ... or maybe she's my aunt....? (Gotta figure these things). Anyway, she's 14 and she's BIG.

At least my father says it's safe to go back in the water now, because the sharks' teeth have been pulled. He says it has something to do with blue bulls (at least, I HOPE he said 'bulls' ....). Don't quite get it, but it's good to know, because it's nearly bath time ....

(Sigh) Roll on fourteen. Maybe if I sleep it'll come faster....

(For our international readers, today was the clash of the Titan rugby teams, the Blue Bulls versus the Sharks. The Blue Bulls were victorious. We won't divulge who the child's father supports, but perhaps the picture below holds a clue.)

Well done to the Blue Bulls!

Well, Hello, Mr. President.....

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Thu, 07 May 2009 09:22:00 +0000

The moment of truth ...is he the man his accusers say he is, or the man his supporters say he is?

It's time to hold our criticisms in check and to get on with the process of government reform. President Zuma and his colleagues need time and space to show what they're made of, so let them do it in a positive atmosphere.

I do believe that he has the potential to be a great leader. A little voice inside my head worries about the long-term consequences of possible attempts by his camp to squash investigations into past actions. When the squashing begins, by the people in power, it could culminate in another Mugabe-type of political gangsterism. However, the office of the Presidency has been filled and the status quo established. It's time to silence the little voices and give the man the chance to be the great leader we hope he is.

I do believe that President Zuma has the capacity to listen and to weigh up what he hears, as opposed to the rather stubborn approach of those who knew it all and dictated their beliefs in a "no-argument allowed" fashion. We look forward to a time of greater co-operation between the ruling party and the opposition parties, for the greater good of the land, and most especially in the areas of service delivery to the poor.

Return us to the dreams of our legendary Nelson Mandela, Mr. President, and we'll all be winners.

Mother's Day & More - from Jozikids; Apr/May/Jun

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:25:00 +0000

Newsletter
28 April 2009

Dear Mike,

In this issue we start bringing you Mother's Day Events (below) and Specials:

Yeesh- Receive a free beauty gift and a rose!
Create a Star- Order a My Special Mom book for Mother's Day & receive free bubble bath.
Predator World -Free entry and a gift for moms on Mother's Day.
Keedo@Home-20% discount on all winter merchandise May 1-10 only.
Zwartkops Quad Centre Moms Special-buy 2 laps and get 2 free May 9,10.
Just 2 more days to go before our COMPETITION with 40 book prizes to be won, closes. Don't forget to enter before it's too late. We will be running a new compeition in May with a range of very different prizes. Watch this space to find out more.

New MAY/ JUNE events in this issue:
Kasabow Kids Bookshop-Free Book Readings, Craighall Park (BOOKS)
Star Quality Performing Arts School, Acting Classes, Rivonia (DRAMA)
Mothers Day @ Yeesh!, Woodmead (MOTHER'S DAY)
Keedo Winter Fashion Show, Broadacres (MOTHER'S DAY)
Indulgence Mother’s Day Lunch, Northcliff (MOTHERS DAY)
Smudge Art Centre Mothers Day Week, Craighall Park (MOTHER'S DAY)
Zwartkops Quad Centre Mother's Day Special, Centurion (MOTHER'S DAY)
Sci-Bono Science Festival for Schools, Newtown (SCIENCE/TECH)
Animal Farm, Dance Factory, Newtown(THEATRE)
The Genius of Water for Kids, Johannesburg (WORKSHOPS)

APRIL/ MAY/ JUNE EVENTS:

ANIMALS
Magalies Fly-fishing Special, learn to fly-fish & enjoy a day in the country, Magaliesburg, Mar 25-May 5.
Shepherd's Fold Stables Sunset outrides Jun 5; Camps Jun 29-Jul 1; Horse course Jun 16, Elandsrift.

ARTS/CRAFTS
Crystal Kidz Creativity Wkshps, Petervale/Bryanston, Apr 28-30, May 4,5

BOOKS
Story Hour/ Storie- Uur at BOEKEHUIS, Auckland Park, every Wednesday afternoon.
Free Book Readings at Kasabow, the ultimate Kids Bookshop May 8; & make Mother's Day cards May 9.

BUFFET LUNCH Family Sunday Lunch ,at the Hyatt Regency Hotel w/ kids activities, Rosebank, every Sunday.

COOKING
Little Cooks Club Holiday cooking workshops in May & Jun.
uShef Cooking Courses for kids from 7yrs & domestic workers, Olivedale, in May.
My Suite Hyatt Mini Hoteliers program, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Rosebank, every Saturday.

DANCE
The Happy Prince a kids ballet production by Ballet Bugs, Braamfontein Jun 23-26; Pretoria Jul 7-10

DRAMA
Star Quality Acting classes w/musical theatre, improvisation & more, Rivonia, every Sat.
National Childrens Theatre Challenging, innovative & stimulating theatre wksps, Parktown, every Sat.

EXPO SOS² Reptile Expo SA’s biggest collection of reptiles, Kempton Park, May 2-3.

FAMILY HOLIDAYS
Program w/ Wild Dophins w/ DolphinCare-Africa & Dolphin EnCOuntours, Mozambique, Apr 27-May 3.
Swim w/ Dolphins Family Holidays, Halo Gaia Holistic Tourism, Mozambique,Jul 9-12; Dec 12-16.

FUN
Assumption Convent Fun Day, giant slides, jumping castles, food & flea stalls, Malvern, May 16.
Yeesh Holiday Easter fun, paint Easter eggs, Woodmead, Bryanston, Apr 1-30.

GARDENING Soil & Planting Workshop for kids & adults, Ludwigs Rose Farm, Pretoria May 2

HOLIDAY PROGRAMS
River Cafe Holiday program, Parkmore, Apr 29,30.
O'Summit Montessori Holiday Club, lots of fun activities, Bryanston, Apr 16-30.
Kids Holiday Club 5 days of kids activities, Wilro Park, Roodepoort, Jun 29-Jul 3.
Fame Academy Holiday Wksps-singing, acting, dancing w/professionals, June 29-Jul 3; July 6-10; Jul 13-17.

MARKETS
Body, Mind and Soul Fayre for holistic fun & entertainmt in Blairgowrie May 31; Edenvale June 7.
Hazel Food Market , food products, kids craft classes & a jumping castle, Pta, Sat. mornings.
Rosemary Hill Market w/ quality produce & kids activities, Pta East, 2nd & last Sun of mnth.
Irene Village Market at the Smuts Museum, Irene, Pretoria, 2nd & last Sat of every mnth.
The Rustic Food Market w/homemade and farm produce, Fourways, every Sun.
blubird Whole Food Market for fresh produce, Birnam, every Sun.
Jozi Food Market in Parktown North every Sat morning.
Urban Midrand Market, for quality goods & kids activities, 1st Sat of every mnth.
Craighall River Craft Market w/organic food, playgd & pony rides, 2nd Sat of every mnth.
Bryanston Organic & Natural Market, food, crafts, kids activities, every Thurs & Sat, 9am-3pm.
Crafter's Market at Bokkie Park, Boksburg-1st Sat of mnth; Bunny Park, Benoni- last Sat of mnth.

MOTHER'S DAY Zwartkops Quad Centre Moms buy 2 rides & get 2 free, Centurion, May 9,10.
Ushef cooking for Mother's Day, May 2; cooking with mum ,May 10, Olivedale.
Keedo Winter Fashion Show for Mother’s Day w/ prizes to be won, Broadacres, May 9.
Yeesh! Mothers Day free beauty gift & a rose, Woodmead, May 10.
Friends of the rail Bela Bela – Mothers Day trip to Marula Mountain Village, May 10.
Smudge Art Mothers Day Week -flower frames, Craighall Park, May 5-10.
Indulgence Coffee Cafe home of Lollipops Catering, Mother’s Day Lunch w/ live jazz, Northcliff, May 10.

MUSIC
Johannesburg Festival Orchestra,Old Mutual Encounters Concert, Emmarentia, May 3.
“Make a Note of It“Alfresco Musical Feast for families, St Mary's School, Waverley, May 31.
Music for Toddlers, Smudge Art Centre,Craighall Park, every Fri.
Sundowner Music Concerts, at UJ Kingsway Art Centre, Auckland Park, every Mon.

NATURE
Stargazing at Maropeng with astronomer, Vincent Nettmann, May 23, Jun 11.
Planetarium, shows & lectures, Braamfontein, Thur, Fri & Sat.

PARENTING
Bright Ideas, wkshps by Nikki Bush for parents, Bryanston, Edenvale, Mar-May.

SCIENCE/TECH
Sci-Bono Science Festival From evolution to exploring the universe for schools,Newtown, May 19-23.

THEATRE
Animal Farm by Sibikwa Arts Centre, Dance Factory, Newtown, May 11-30 excl Sun.
Princess Magogo,opera, Nelson Mandela Theatre, Braamfontein, Apr 30; May 3,8.
Cuban Ballet Stars perform at Aula Theatre, Pretoria, May 14,18
Othello Shakespeare’s tragedy about racism, love, betrayal, UJ/ Auckland Park, May 28-Jun 4.
Pippi Longstocking, interactive kids theatre, National Childrens Theatre, Parktown, Jun 8-Aug 1
Coppélia by SA Ballet Theatre, Roodepoort, Jun 12-14,16,18-21,23-8.

TRAINS
Friends of the Rail, Steam train trip to Pretoria-Tshwane, Cullinan/ Bela Bela, Pretoria, May 2,30; Jun 16,21,28.

WALKS/HIKES
Check the calender every weekend for a list of regular walks or hikes in Gauteng.
The National Zoological Gardens of SA (Pretoria Zoo) 5km Fun Run/Walk, 3rd Sat of mnth.
Delta Park Walks Victory park, every 3rd Sun of mnth.
The Zoo Trot at JHB Zoo, May 17, June 14.
Alberts Farm Walk in Greymont, 3rd Sun of every mnth.
Kloofendal Nature Reserve Weekly guided walks & talks, Roodepoort, in Mar & Apr.
Melville Koppies Open Days, every Sunday.
Melville Koppies West Walk , Westdene, 1st Saturday of every mnth.
Sandspruit Walk in Rivonia, every Sunday.
Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve in Mondeor, every 2nd & 4th Sun of the mnth.
Petathon Walk A walk or run with or without a dog +-10km/ 550m, Hartbeespoort, Jun 20.

WORKSHOPS
The Genius of Water for Kids, Exploring the magic of water, Johannesburg, May 23.

YOGA
Revitalise Your Soul, Mom’s Yoga 5 week Series, Yoga Warrior, Rosebank, May 6-Jun 3.
Yoga Child Yoga Warrior classes for kids, incl storytelling, games & music, Rosebank, May 9.

We welcome your feedback. If there's something we have missed, please email us with your suggestions. Meanwhile, please share this with your friends and encourage them to sign up for this FREE newsletter.

Regards
The Jozikids Team
info@jozikids.co.za
011 482 4310
http://www.jozikids.co.za/

No Electile Dysfunction Here!

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 10:57:00 +0000

Well, the nation's general elections are a thing of the past, and to all accounts that I'm aware of, it all went rather well. My experience of it was very organized and peaceful. No surprises in the results. Now we wait and see.

Two more public holidays this week, then life should get back to more-or-less normal here. Honking taxis, rising prices, the serious business of crime and the equally serious business of denying its seriousness......apathetic government departments - especially in Welfare - and police more acute at dodging having to open cases than dodging bullets.....

Ho-Hum.

At least we have the 2010 Soccer Cup to divert attention.

Odds and Evens

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:12:00 +0000

Tomorrow we go to the polls to vote for a new government. I received a timely e-mail from my aunt in America to say that she'd seen some pictures of "your new man in South Africa", referring to Jacob Zuma, probable new President.

"He seems to like dancing around dressed in animal skins...don't you think that's a little odd?"

I guess it does seem a little odd in the international context. (I couldn't help trying to conjure up some mental images of other world leaders prancing about in traditional dress. It did put a smile of my face, I must admit.)

A little more odd to us, though, are his vociferous cries against corruption - for which he is / isn't supposed to stand trial (depending on the mood of the day) - and the fight against HIV/Aids, in light of his 'showering after unprotected sex with a known Aids victim' debacle.

On the positive side, though, here's a leader who speaks from the heart, doesn't speak down to his audience and thinks about what he's saying as opposed to reading pre-prepared responses. Despite his rather odd actions, an element of sincerity eminates from him, which is rather appealing, if a little frightening. All rather odd indeed.

On the Evens, the split in the African National Congress (ANC) that gave rise to the breakway Congress of the People (COPE) party, adds an interesting element to these elections. Results have traditionally been a certain ANC runaway victory, with a very second-place Democratic Alliance (DA) as official opposition and not much else featuring. While COPE is unlikely to do much damage at the polls to the ANC, the DA certainly seems to have strengthened considerably, gaining credibility from the bickering of the other two.

The likelihood is an ANC victory by a slightly diminished margin, with the DA as official opposition, with substantially more support than they've enjoyed previously. However, the possible alliances that could spring up could prove interesting, with some rather strange bedfellows.

It would be rather nice to have at least a fair number of COPE candidates winning seats in Parliament - after all, who could level effective criticism and provide expose`s quite as effectively as dissidents who once formed part of the ANC's inner circle?

Corruption amongst officials, rampant crime and pathetic service delivery in this country is certainly not the dream Nelson Mandela envisaged, yet support for the ruling party seems unabated - rather odd.

On the evens, though, we still have a democracy - and a democracy where corrupt officials are still charged and disciplined, a feature not to be taken for granted in Africa.

Well, tomorrow will come and go - after which there'll probably be a lot more excitement about the 2010 Soccer World Cup than there was about our elections.

Work, Sweet Work.

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:10:00 +0000

In South Africa, April has been the month of Public Holidays. There isn't a full week's work this month. The Easter weekend gave us Friday last week and Monday this week. Next week would have been a full week, but Wednesday the 22nd has been declared a public holiday because the country goes to the polls in our General Elections. Monday the 27th is a local public holiday and Friday 1st May is, of course, Workers' Day.

All very pleasant for people earning fixed salaries, but less exciting for contractors and others who get paid by the hour. Add to that kids who would rather be spending money on the holidays than conserving it, and life gets fairly interesting.

Thankfully, we have been enjoying the most glorious Autumn weather, with "fresh" mornings and sunny , warm days. Great outdoor weather. How I envy people who live in the coastal regions, where the family can spend these days on the beach at virtually no cost! In a city like Johannesburg, there's little that one can do for entertainment that doesn't cost fairly dearly.

Bored kids who are whining can be slightly irritating - but creative kids who are too quiet can be downright scary! Household items (that you actually procured for a reason!) can undergo some wonderful metamorphases as creative - and bored - young minds transform them into works of art and items that would stun the original designer!

Frankly, I don't have a major problem with that (except when I get woken up at 1:15am before a working day to "come and see what I've done to my room! Do you like it? Do you like it?"), but the task of keeping them occupied at minimum damage can be quite formidable! Then the sweet luxury of a day at the office in an environment that can be anticipated can be so theraputic and restful!

For a while. Hooray, tomorrow's Friday!

Away With The Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 07:01:00 +0000

No more licensing blues! Monday morning was a breeze and I'm on the road legally again.

I went to the Marlboro Traffic Office (also in the Johannesburg Metropolitan area), with some trepidation, in case they sent me back to the City Centre to complete the transaction. No such problem.

By 7:00am a number of us were in a neat queue outside the front door, awaiting the 7:30 opening. By 7:30 the queue was quite long already, but I was relaxed - I was fourth from the front. They opened almost on time, by about 7:40. The doors opened and .....the queue disintegrated! A mass of bodies stormed the half-open door, determinedly led by a group of regulars, who register vehicles for other people. I emerged from the throng to find myself about twenty places down!

Fortunately, not too many were there for renewals, so that line moved fast. My hard-earned paperwork from Fruitless Friday was scanned briefly and before I knew it, my license was in my hand and my bank balance felt considerably lighter.

What a pleasure these glorious Autumn days are for biking - legally!

Licensing Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 09:33:00 +0000

On Thursday I discovered that my bike license expired at the end of February, not the end of March, as I had thought. Panic. Fortunately on Friday we stop work at lunch time, so I sprang into action.

Unlike the driver's license, which one can process at any centre, renewing vehicle licenses has to be done within your residential municipality. I live in Johannesburg, but work in Benoni, about five minutes away from the Boksburg Licensing Department!

Anyway, I zoomed through Boksburg, stopping briefly at an ATM to draw enough cash for the license, then headed for the Johanneburg city centre as fast as I could, to get in before their 3:00pm closure.

Everything went perfectly. I was there shortly after 2:00pm, and had no problem finding a parking - having a bike, I simply parked on the pavement outside the front door, where bikes are expected to park!

Before I could get to the front door of the building, I was accosted by a couple of very persuasive men, who demanded to know what I was there for. When I told them, they expertly whipped out the appropriate form to fill in and announced that they would help me to complete it very quickly. I looked at them sceptically and asked if they worked there. They looked pained - and the one announced that the other one was "a consultant". They looked even more pained when I told them that I was perfectly capable of filling out a form without the help of consultants! "Well, at least buy us a cold drink," they whined.

Once inside, it took only moments to fill out the form, and there was someone on hand to show me which queue to join. Before too long, my number was called and someone processed my papers, then kept them and told me to join a different queue. That took longer, but a half hour or so later, a batch of numbers, including mine, was called and we were told which counter to go to. To my relief, that queue went fairly quickly - but it wasn't the goal yet. We were simply given our papers back, then told to join any of the others queues along a certain section, where the cashiers were.

3:00pm had come and gone, and the queues became shorter as no newcomers were allowed in. By shortly after 4:00pm, I had the goal in sight and was consoling myself that it had been worth it. At least my bike would be on the road legally again within a few minutes.

When my turn came, my papers were scrutinized, then shoved back at me. "You have an outstanding amount to pay on another vehicle," was the announcement. "Go to counter 20 and get a R114 form. You'll have to pay that before you can get this."

Turned out that there were outstanding license fees on a vehicle that had been in someone else's possession for some time, but had never been transferred - so instead of having to pay R108 for my bike license, I now needed to pay R693.30. By the time I'd received my R114 form with the due amounts, counters were closing rapidly as people packed up for the weekend. "Do you accept cards?" I asked with resignation.

"Yes, no problem. Just go back to one of those cashier counters that are still open."

So back to the final queue I went, sorely depressed, but with the knowledge that at least I'd get my license disk now.

When I got to the front, I pushed my papers under the window, along with my card. The woman looked up, with what seemed to be a triumphant glint in her eyes. "We can't take cards," she announced, "we're off-line! Come back on Monday."

I limped out with my tail between my legs, and rode home as unobtrusively as possible. No prizes for guessing where I'll start my Monday......

Jozikids - March/April Events

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 11:36:00 +0000

Here are some listings of events for March and April, provided by the Jozikids website. The site has a wealth of information, event listings and places of interest in the Johannesburg area to keep your kids busy during the Easter school holidays. For more information, visit their site at www.jozikids.co.za

MARCH / APRIL EVENTS

ANIMALS Shumbashaba, Self awareness through horses for teenagers, Diepsloot, March.

ARTS/CRAFTS Smudge Art Centre music wkps & art activities, Craighall Park, Tues-Sun Mar 10-Apr 26.
Art Classes for teens & pre-teens w/Yda Walt, Auckland Park, Fridays. 1 free trial lesson.
Bryanston Organic & Natural Market puppet show & puppet making workshop, Apr 11.
Color Cafe ceramic painting for beginners, ladies night, moms & daughters, Hyde Park, Mar 13,27
Crystal Kidz Creativity Wkshps, Petervale/Bryanston in Feb/Mar & Easter Programme in Mar/Apr.
Ethno Art Studio charcoal wkshps & adult art classes, Honeydew, Mar 14, 28.

BOOKS Exclusive Books Children's Book Festival for kids u/12yrs Jhb & Pta, Mar-Apri.

BUFFET LUNCH Family Sunday Lunch ,at the Hyatt Regency Hotel w/ kids activities, Rosebank, every Sunday.

COOKING The Bread Workshop ,hands-on bread making wksps, Diespsloot, Mar 28,29.
Little Cooks Club , kids cooking classes, Rivonia, Kyalami, Fourways, Bryanston, Mar & Apr.
uShef Cooking Courses for kids from 7yrs & domestic workers, Olivedale, Mar & Apr.

DANCE Kim Field Winter Dance Workshops, breakdancing & hip hop lessons, Fourways, Mar 27-Apr 15.

EASTER Ludwigs Rose Farm Easter Weekend w/egg hunt, pony rides & more kids fun, Pretoria N, Apr 10-13.
Zwartkops Quad Centre Easter Egg Hunt!, Centurion, Apr 12.
Crystal Kidz Easter Creativity Programme @ Crystal Essence, Petervale/Bryanston.
Easter Bunny Cullinan Steam Train, Friends of the Rail, Apr 13.

FRANCHISEES Equal Zeal® Franchisee Training, Life Coaching Studio for Kids, Chartwell North, Mar 27-30.

FUN The Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Society for Animals in Distress, Midrand, fun for kids & adults, Mar 18.
Sinbad's Stunt Show Gold Reef City Theme Park Mar 28-Apr 14.
EQual Zeal™ Training Family Fun Day - Zeal the Zebra shows his True Colours Book Launch, live music, storytelling, life skills wksps etc., Chartwell, Mar 21.
Honeydew A-maze-ing Mazes Alien Sunday at the Lost in Space Maize Maze, Mar 15.
Playdays @ Elf's Hill, Randburg, Mar 18.
Drakes Party Farmyard, pony rides, waterslide & feeding farm animals, Linbro Park, every Mon & Wed.

GENIUS KidsLab & TeenLab Workshops, an intro to Genius Mind!, Jhb, Mar 21
The Matrix Workshop Wiz1, about how exactly we are 'plugged in, Jhb, Mar 28,29.

KIDS WORKSHOP My Suite Hyatt Mini Hoteliers program, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Rosebank, every Saturday.

MARKETS Body, Mind and Soul Fayre for holistic fun & entertainment in Edenvale/ Pretoria, Mar 7,8; Apr 5.
Rosemary Hill Market w/ quality produce & kids activities, Pta East, 2nd & last Sun of mnth.
The Rustic Food Market w/homemade and farm produce, Fourways, every Sun.
blubird Whole Food Market for fresh produce, Birnam, every Sun.
Jozi Food Market in Parktown North every Sat morning.
Urban Midrand Market, for quality goods and kids activities, 1st Sat of every mnth.
Crafter's Market at Bokkie Park, 1st Sat of every month in Boksburg.
Craighall River Craft Market w/organic food, playgd & pony rides, 2nd Sat of every mnth.
Bryanston Organic & Natural Market, food, crafts, kids activities, every Thurs & Sat, 9am-3pm.
Irene Village Market at the Smuts Museum, Irene, Pretoria, 2nd & last Sat of every mnth.

MUSIC Old Mutual Blues, Jazz and Roots Festival @ Emmarentia Dam, Apr 4.
Music Rose Festival @ Ludwigs Rose Farm, Spiced Coffee Restaurant & Butterfly Garden, Pta North, Mar 21-22.
Music for Toddlers, Smudge Art Centre,Craighall Park, every Fri.
Sundowner Music Concerts, at UJ Kingsway Art Centre, Auckland Park, every Mon.

PARENTING Bright Ideas,wkshps by Nikki Bush for parents & anyone raising kid, Bryanston, Edenvale, Mar-May.

SHOWS Planetarium, shows & lectures, Braamfontein, Thur, Fri & Sat.

STORYTIME Dibuka and Alliance Française story telling by Izindaba, music, theatre, Zulu, French, English, Parkview, every 1st Sat of the mnth.

THEATRE Black Light Theatre of Prague, "Cartoon Theatre" UJ, Auckland Park, Mar 18-22.
SA Ballet Theatre Studios Cinderella, Braamfontein, Mar 20-Apr 5.
Porralicious The Finalsh @ Pieter Toerien Theatre, Montecasino, Mar 4-15 excl Mon & Tue.
“Not the Midnight Mass” Montecasino, Mar 4-15 excl Mon & Tue.
Joburg Promusica Kidz Roald Dahl's "Danny the Champion of the World", Roodepoort, Mar 2-28.
Into the Woods, Jnr by Gecko Productns @ Wits Amphitheatre, Braamfontein, Mar 12-21.
The Rocky Horror Show Barnyard Theatre-Broadacres, Fourways, Mar 3-Apr 12, excl Mon.
High School Musical at Montecasino Teatro, Fourways, Jan 24-Mar 15th, excl Mon & Tues.
Jack and the Beanstalk at the Peoples Theatre, Braamfontein, Mar 9-Apr 25.
The Secret Garden at the National Children's Theatre, Parktown, Mar 9-Apr 25.

TRAINS Friends of the Rail, Steam train trip to Pretoria-Tshwane, Cullinan/ Bela Bela, Pretoria, Mar 29, Apr 26.
See EASTER for Easter train, Apr 13.
WALKS/HIKES Check the calender every weekend for a list of regular walks or hikes in Gauteng.
Walk at the wilds with TJ, a leisurely spring snack-pack stroll, Houghton, Apr 26.
Braamfontein Spruit Sandton Field and Study Centre, Sandton, Apr 26.
The National Zoological Gardens of SA (Pretoria Zoo) 5km Fun Run/Walk, 3rd Sat of mnth.
Delta Park Walks Victory park, every 3rd Sun of month.
The Zoo Trot at JHB Zoo, Apr 19, May 17, June 14.
Alberts Farm Walk in Greymont, 3rd Sun of every month.
Small Mammal Biodiverstiy Assessment, Melville Koppies Central, Mar 21.
Kloofendal Nature Reserve Weekly guided walks & talks, Roodepoort, in Mar & Apr.
Giloolys Farm, Linksfield Ridge & Harveys Park Walk, Giloolys Farm, Mar 29.
Melville Koppies Central Walk, Emmarentia, every Sunday.
Melville Koppies West Walk , Westdene, 1st Saturday of every month.
Sandspruit Walk in Rivonia, every Sunday.
Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve in Mondeor, every 2nd & 4th Sun of the month.

WEEKEND RETREAT One Breath Celebration Kung San people take us on guided journeys, workshops, drum circle, etc. Mar 27-29.

Thanks to the guys at Jozikids for this info - keep up the great site!

If you would like to subscribe to their regular newsletter, go to www.jozikids.co.za and sign up. It's packed with information.

Some Great Gift Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:41:00 +0000

Thanks to Jean of Gift For All Occasions for this award!

Her site has some great gift ideas - a LOT, in fact, not some! Why don't you pay her site a visit at http://giftforalloccasions.com - I'm sure it'll be just the first of many visits.

Viva Kyalami!

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 12:47:00 +0000

It's great to see some major motor sport returning to Kyalami, the traditional home of international motor racing in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This weekend saw the advent of the A1 GP at Kyalami (after the initial years of the S.A. leg of the event taking place in Durban), with some very exciting action! A solid, reliable performance by race winners Switzerland, a very exciting second place for Brazil, with their 17 year-old driver, Felipe Guimaraes, attaining a podium position two weeks before his 18th birthday, and an exciting drive for third place by new-comer Monaco, who also achieved second place in the earlier sprint race. Noteworthy was also a very compelling drive by Lebanon, attaining 6th position. Some great entertainment!

In May this year the SBK World Superbike Championship will take place at Kyalami (15th - 17th May 2009), and there are two more International events planned for Aug/Sept and November. That means a major international event for each quarter in the year - great stuff.

I believe that efforts are being made to get Kyalami back into the Formula 1 calendar. If that's wishful thinking, well, I'm one of those holding thumbs for that wish to come true!

For more news and information about Gauteng motor sport, check out their site at www.go-gp.org

For A1 GP information specifically, with race reports, results and a wealth of information, go to www.a1gp.com - but a warning: on race day that server gets really busy, so gaining access may prove to be very difficult!

Please Click Daily

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:34:00 +0000

The third item from the top, in the margin on this site, is a link to the Child Health Site. It is entitled "Please Click Daily". It costs nothing but a few moments of your time - but it makes the world of difference to children globally. By simply clicking on the site and then clicking where they ask you to, donations are made to children who desperately need that help.

Once you're there, along the top row of their site are a few more "click" opportunities that may be close to your heart - the Hunger Site, Breast Cancer, Animal Rescue, Child Literacy and Rain Forests. It takes me only a few moments to click on all of them - and the sites load very fast.

On each of these sites, you can see statistics of the difference your click and those of others are making to the donations made. It can be quite heart-warming to see the achievements - and, at times, alarming to see a drop in donations. Very soon it becomes a part of one's daily internet routine. It's not a sacrifice; it's a great opportunity to make a difference without any discomfort on your part, and soon develops into a daily interest.

Please help these people - at least visit the site to see what it's about.

Oh, For Medical Aid!

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 09:33:00 +0000

I'm still in this post-operative stage where I have this gaping, open wound of about 7 inches high and about 2 inches across that needs cleaning and dressing daily - but I'm at home and going to work daily. However, I was officially discharged from hospital. I have to attend a clinic there every second Tuesday (the only day of the week for clinic). As I don't have medical aid, this is a State hospital, with the distinction of being a Training Hospital.

All very well, but what happens if one needs a doctor in between Clinic days? Well, I found out last week!

I suffered severe cramps during the night, vomiting, etc, so decided I'd better take the day off work (had to anyway - didn't sleep at all and was exhausted) and get to the hospital. When I arrived there in the late morning, the ward doctors were already in surgery and couldn't be seen. I was, however, informed that the surgeons who performed my operation had already moved on and there was a new team on duty. The intern informed me that I had actually been discharged, so I had to go to Casualties and register as an 'out-patient'.

That was midday. I patiently joined queue after queue in the 'procedures', until I eventually got to the section where one waits for a doctor on duty to see one. There were two doctors on duty - and scores of patients.

By 7:30pm that night, there was still a score of people ahead of me and no apparent movement. I realized that it would be 11:00pm or midnight before I got to see a doctor. The sister in charge confirmed that I was probably right. By that time, after not eating or drinking anything all day, my body had settled into silent, aching submission. I gave up and went home.

Medical Aid is expensive - but if you possibly can have it, trust me, it's worth having! (And this is one of the better State hospitals! They even have clean linen on the beds. At many State hospitals, they don't even have that - you have to take your own bedding!)

Not the January I Ordered

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:44:00 +0000

What a start to the year. I came home from hospital at the beginning of this week, after an emergency operation.

On 10th January, two days before work started, I had to be rushed to hospital for extreme stomach pains. They operated that same afternoon. For two weeks after that moment all I knew was pain, delirium, the side effects of morphine, vomiting, and confusion. It’s only after I got home, that the picture began to emerge for me and my mind started to come back.

Turned out that I had two hernias, one of which was a “strangulated” hernia, which means it was wrapped around the bowels, grown through the walls, etc. Furthermore, some of the strangulated sections were dead and had developed gangrene. They had to cut out portions and rejoin what was left of my intestines.

Then, within just a few days, the wound turned septic. The staples had to be removed and the wound opened up and left open to clean it out continue to do so every day. It is still open and will remain so until healed. Could take months.

Anyway, I was sent home this week, but I had to find a nurse to come in every day for the foreseeable future – even if it does take months – to clean and dress the wound with sterile products. I can’t describe what that feels like.

Cleaning up a wound that’s been stitched is one thing – but an open one that one can so easily infect – or damage - is scary. It’s about seven inches up the centre of my tummy, and about two inches wide. When one cleans inside it with a saline solution and a swab, you easily move a thumb and forefinger around with space to spare, cleaning all sides and angles to the depth of about a thumb. Then you fill it with sterile gauze and cover it all up. I have to be so careful about everything I do – but it sucks; I wish it could be closed up. Anyway, it won’t be closed anytime soon – I only have to see the clinic once every two weeks, which indicates that they basically want it to heal all the way like this.

I shouldn’t start work until March, but I can’t survive if I don’t. I’m definitely not supposed to ride the bike for the next month – but I have to, to get to work. However, the good part of the bike is that it really is very light; nothing to strain me. I was told to buy a retaining belt for my wound, and sit on the bike very, very carefully – nothing funny!

So …. With that, I’m starting on Monday, for limited hours a day. Haven’t tried the bike yet – it’s done nothing but rain since I got the belt!

Anyway, that’s my sad and painful tale. I hope your year had a better start.

On a very bright note, my neighbour in the flats turns out to be a professional nurse, and she has offered to clean and dress my wound every day,which is a wonderful blessing!

Congratulations To My Niece & Nephew-In-Law

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:58:00 +0000

Congratulations, Linda and Carl, on your recent wedding! I couldn't have chosen a better nephew-in-law! I wish you both the greatest of happiness and success. Love you guys.

Of course, to me, Linda, you'll always be this little girl!

Back To Routine

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:48:00 +0000

Well, it's back to routine ....and for many, back to school. There's a mad scrambling in the supermarkets of kids of all sizes dashing about the isles, grabbing school necessities before stocks are exhausted. Supermarket staff sweat to replenish shelves in the thong of dashing little figures followed by desperate-looking parents pushing trolleys.

"Are you SURE you need that," comes the plaintive voice from the trolley, "or do you just want it?" Then the bright little face darkens in prospective disappointment as it mulls over the question. Negotiations and compromises follow.

While the parents look unquestionably desperate, those eager little faces reflect the light of hope and excitement they feel at the prospect of a fresh start and the determination of better things for the year ahead. I wish them well ... every single one of them.

Meanwhile, in the adult world, although petrol prices are coming down, the general prices that went up because of previous petrol-price hikes have done nothing to follow suit. Regardless of the decreases in fuel costs, prices dig in their heels and wait for the next fuel increases, when they can yell "UNFAIR" and shoot up even further.

I wish that we could feel the enthusiasm of youthful hopes in fresh beginnings, but for most of us the hangover of the past year tends to send us into the new one holding our heads and wondering when it is all going to stop or get better!

I guess "getting better" doesn't happen by chance. It takes positive action on our parts to improve situations - so here's wishing us all the positive strength to meet the challenges and MAKE our children's new year a better place to be.

Good Riddance to 2008.

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 07:50:00 +0000

It's been a traumatic year worldwide. Earthquakes, floods, wars, financial panic ...

Here in S.A, the xenophobic attacks, horrific crime against women and children, the collapse of a President, and the terrible tragedies of the Zimbabwean people, to mention a few of the woes. Whatever the police may say, the battle against crime is not being won.

On the bright side, we seem to have a better government for the time being, although it's marking time until the next elections.

Foundations have certainly been shaken up, including with the American Presidential elections. Next year will be an interesting and challenging time, but I hope that it'll be a time of solutions.

I certainly won't hold onto 2008 with any degree of sentimentality.

Death Penalty Poll

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:51:00 +0000

www.eighty20.co.za is a "South African Database Consumer Portal (that) provides online access to current statistics in the South African market". (One can subscribe to it to receive a fact a day via email).

Below is the 'Fact-a-Day' received on 03 October 2008:

This week's Fact-a-Day theme: Battle of the sexes
79% of South African men agree with the statement 'The death penalty should be reinstated in South Africa for serious crimes like murder and rape'. 83% of women also agree. (AMPS 2008RA)

I would fall into that category - particularly with regard to the horrific child rape statistics and the apparent relish with which rapes are committed as a matter of course during household burglaries. Rapists seem to have a blatant lack of fear of any consequences - for good reason in this country.

How do you feel about it?

The Joys of License Renewal

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:12:00 +0000

After five years, it was time to renew my driver's license. No big deal - get new photos, fill in some forms, have my eyes tested, then wait three or four weeks for the new license to arrive. The biggest inconvenience is taking time off work to get to the licensing office.

Five years ago when I renewed, I went in about seven weeks ahead of the expiry date - and they chased me away, telling me to come back closer to the time. I did, and the replacement was there in three or four weeks. This time, I wasn't going to take time off work just to be chased away again, so I waited until I had four weeks to go.

I was smart. The licensing office opens at 8:00am, so I was standing in line by 07:30. They didn't open at 8:00. I started to figure that maybe their computers were offline, and I'd chosen the wrong morning after all. At about 08:30 a gentleman representing the licensing office came out to face what was now quite a large crowd, loyally followed by a number of his staff members. He held an important-looking notice in his hand.

"Gather around!" he announced to all of us in the line, in a tone that would bridge no argument. "I have a notice in my hand that I shall read out to you," he said when he had our full attention. He raised the notice and read: " The water supply to these offices has been interrupted. Therefore, these offices shall remain closed until the water supply has been restored."

He wasn't taking questions. The team trooped off.

I'm not sure whether the licensing department's computers are powered by turbines, or whether the staff is powered by caffeine, but apparently water is absolutely essential to their function.

By about 11:30 I figured that if enough people had been chased away, but the water restored, there should be relatively few people there. That turned out to be correct. No problem at all....

...except for a slight irritation where the eye tests were done. One man was having a test done, and a number of other people were sitting around - I presumed, awaiting their turns. I sat down patiently to wait. After some time, a woman sitting there gazed at me with some suspicion, and said: "Are you here to have your eyes tested?"

"Sure," I replied. What else?

She gazed at me for a little longer, then sighed, pulled herself out of her chair, and said, "Okay, come to this machine here."

I was flabbergasted.

Everybody else was friendly and helpful. When I made it to the window with all forms correctly filled in, photos and fingerprints in the right places, the lady asked whether I would require a temporary licese.

"What for?" I asked.
"Until your new one comes. This one expires in four weeks."
"How long will the new one take to get here?"
"Thirteen weeks."

I took a temporary license. Small price to pay to avoid unnecessary visits to where the water supply is unreliable.

Back to Blogging

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:54:00 +0000

It's been awhile since I've updated this blog, but I'm back. I started a new job and got pretty involved with the new circumstances and the new routine.

My place of work is about a fifty-minute ride from my home, which, under normal weather conditions, is a very pleasant way to start the day. Riding a motorcycle through the peak hour traffic is a very different story from the frustrations of being stuck in a car. However, the past two weeks have been very wet ones here - not ideal for motorcycling! The occasional rain storms don't bother one too much, but after a couple of weeks of getting wet, it gets to be a bit much! Anyway, thankfully, it seems to be passing and I look forward to an enjoyable, fresh ride tomorrow morning under clear blue skies!

During my absence, Zimbabwe still hasn't found a solution to their power-sharing agreement, the ANC is still split and not too much has changed in the local situation. I certainly hope they weren't waiting for me to settle down and get going again. Well, I'm back to watching you guys again, so perhaps you'd like to move forward a little more positively now?

Kenya helped to produce an American president - no mean feat. Perhaps they should be invited to get more involved in the Zimbabwean negotiations?

Zimbabwean Reality

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:21:00 +0000

President Robert Mugabe's antics are well known all over the world. We see the news reports, we hear about the political deadlocks, we read about an inflation rate that looks more like a misprint than a real statistic, and we get a glimpse of the human suffering; but can we actually conceptualize daily life in Zimbabwe?

Catherine Buckle, author of the books "African Tears" and "Beyond Tears", lives in Zimbabwe and documents daily life there in a collection of letters. These letters can be read on a website dedicated to her, www.cathybuckle.com

In one letter, written on 12th July 2008, entitled "I Am Failing Them", Cathy makes reference to an attempted shopping trip, where there was virtually no food available - but a butternut squash carried a price tag of 30 billion Zimbabwean dollars. When she queried the price, the man in the shop showed her his earnings. He had earned 28 billion dollars for the month - less than the price of a butternut squash; and he had a family to support.

Catherine Buckle's writing style is so beautiful, so descriptive and so pertinent, so easy to read, that I cannot and will not attempt to describe or reproduce the atmosphere or content of her letters in my post. I urge you to read those letters yourself at www.cathybuckle.com, or go directly to her October 2008 post.

Doing the Splits.

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:12:00 +0000

I doubt that any breakaway party from the ANC will seriously harm the outcome of next year's general election, but I do rather look forward to hearing from an opposition party rising from the ranks of the ANC.

I feel that many ANC supporters have voted for the ANC on the basis of loyalty towards the Struggle, rather than in support of their performance and service delivery. However, in the event of a breakaway, ANC supporters will be able to make choices based on performance, without feeling that they're being disloyal.

As much as Zuma may shout about "Disloyalty To The Party", those breaking away are no less faithful to the struggle than are those who remain. They were all in it together until this point. The disagreements arise from differences of opinion in respect of where the ANC is headed, how it is led and how it has behaved or performed.

This makes things very interesting for the country as a whole. Criticisms flung back and forth between factions from the same party is likely to bring a number of crawlies out of the woodwork into the light - and force at least a few more people to make decisions they couldn't - or didn't have to - make before.

Events between now and next year's elections will be very interesting indeed.

Appeal From African United Partnerships

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 10:05:00 +0000

I received the following letter from the African United Partnerships blog recently, concerning their efforts to provide much-needed training in the Cameroon, to help combat the frighteningly high rate of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS:

"Hi Mike,
I started a blog meme project for saving children and thought you would be interested in getting involved. African United Partnerships needs the help of fellow bloggers. Our goal is to save 200 children's lives in Africa by preventing the transmission of AIDS/HIV from mother to child. To do this, we need to raise $6,600 and your help by blogging and spreading the word about this cause. That's just $33 to save a single child's life. We are working with 12 health service stations in Africa to train people with methods of preventing mother to child transmission (pMTCT) of AIDS/HIV. This is all done through pre- and post natal care training and implementation."

Hans Strock
http://blog.africanunitedpartnerships.org

The number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa by the end of 2007 was an estimated 22,000,000; the highest number for any one country being South Africa, at an estimated 5,700,000. The estimate for Cameroon was 540,000.

Apparently there is very little understanding amongst both women and clinic staff in Cameroon about the transmission of the deadly virus from mother to child, or how to prevent it. In fact, they don't seem to even understand that it might be prevented. The aim of this project is to begin the appropriate training there on a limited sale, in the hope that their success will open doors for the expansion of the programme.

I received a full report from Hans concerning the project; I'm sure that they would be happy to provide it to anyone who requests it.

To quote their conclusion in the report:

"The growing infection of children through MTCT (mother to child transmission) requires well thought through and targeted interventions to prevent more children from living with HIV from birth. This project is structured to do just this. Starting small (small is beautiful), the project will seek to make an impact that would stand out as self-evidence for scaling up. This show case aspiration calls for a resourceful pooling of leadership and managerial skills to promote effective and efficient implementation."

If you would like to learn more about this project, please visit their website at http://blog.africanunitedpartnerships.org

Frankly, HIV/AIDS isn't just about dying. For little children with full-blown AIDS, the physical suffering that these poor little people have to endure before they die can be a fate worse than death. They are just little children. They don't know why they feel the way they do.They suffer and they're frightened. And it may not have been necessary. Anything that anyone can do to help to prevent these little babies from being condemned to this terrible fate before they are even born, is well worth doing.

Holiday Activities For Your Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:14:00 +0000

Here are some holiday activities for your kids, in and around the Johannesburg area, from Jozikids. For more information about these - or a range of other activities and shows - go to the Jozikids website.

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Here's a list of school holiday camps and activities on offer for your kids.

ANIMALS Carynton Stables, Muldersdrift W Rand, pony day camp, Sept 29.
National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria, Holiday Program, Sept 29-Oct 3.
Esperanza Riding School Holiday Program, Pretoria. Sept 29-Oct 3.
Chartwell Stables , Fun Days, at Chartwell, near Fourways. Sept 30, Dec 17.

ARTS/CRAFTS Rainbow week at YEESH! indoor play area in Woodmead, Sept 24-30
Make Funky Bookmarks at Smudge Art Centre in Craighall Park, Sept 23-28; Other activities Oct 30-5, 7-12, 14-19, 21-26.
Swirl Art Open Day in Bedfordview, Sept 27.

CAMPS Adventure 'n Beyond Holiday Camps at various venues, Sep 2-Oct 4, Dec 6-13, 14 -19
Gecko Valley Performing Arts Camps on Natal coast, Sept 21-30, Oct 1-5, Dec6-15, 16-23.
SA Basecamp weekend for kids at Hartbeespoort, Sept 26-28
Sugar Bay Holiday Camps on Natal coast, Sept 27- Oct 5, Dec 6-13, 13-23, 28-Jan 4, Jan 4-11.
Happy Acres Holiday Camp, Magaliesberg, Sept 27-Oct 4, Dec 6-13, 13-20, Jan 3-10.
Adventure 'n Beyond Holiday Camps, Sept 29- Oct 4, Dec 14-19.
Inkwenkwezi Junior School Holiday Camp, Magaliesberg, Sept 29-Oct 3, Dec 8-12.
Maraneman on the Vaal Adventure Holiday Camps w/ Christian Foundation, Sept 30-Oct 3.
Shepherd's Fold Pony Camps for sleepover or day programs in Elandsdrift W Rand, Sept 30-Oct 2, Dec 8-12.
BBK Trails Adventure Pony Camps in Mpumulanga Nov 30-Dec 7, Dec 7-14.
Camp Nelu Holiday Camps close to Magaliesburg, Dec 8-11, 19-23.
Kinderland Holiday Fun at Equestra, Pretoria Dec 8-12, Dec 15-19.
Chartwell Stables Pony Camp at Chartwell near Fourways, Dec 9-11

DANCE "Nutcracker" Holiday Dance Camps at Triba,Craighall Dec 8-12, Dec 15-19.

DOLPHINS Halo Gaia Holistic Tourism - Swimming with dolphins in Mozambique family retreat, Dec 4-8.

HOLIDAY FUN Enchanted Forest, holiday activities in Edenvale, Sept 29-Oct 3.
Boot Camp SA, holiday activities in Fourways, Oct 1-3.
Elf's Hill, Open Days in Chartwell Jhb, Oct 1,15,29.

SCIENCE Experilab, Holiday Program in Randburg,various classes each day from Sept 29-Oct 2.

TENNIS Tennis Holiday Clinic in Greenside & Lonehill, Sept 29-Oct 3.

TECHNOLOGY icamp Technology Workshops on Sept 29-Oct 3.

An Unusual Heritage Day

noreply@blogger.com (Mike) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 07:18:00 +0000

Today is HERITAGE DAY here, a public holiday. I believe that the Cape is having cool, perhaps cloudy weather, but north of the Cape we have a lovely warm day with open blue skies; ideal for outdoor celebrations and picnics.

It's something of an unusual Heritage Day for us, though. Just for today, we don't have a President; but we'll have another one tomorrow. And we have 13 'vacant' cabinet posts; crucial ones. There's not too much concern, though, because those ministers have not deserted and are still manning their posts. The circumstances leading up to this situation are well documented, so I'm not going to go into that. What I do want to say is that I feel that the behaviour of the leaders involved is worthy of our Heritage Day celebrations.

I feel that President Thabo Mbeki conducted his resignation with the utmost dignity and responsibility. Anyone, anywhere in the world, who witnessed his broadcast, would have nothing but respect for his demeanour. Even the lack of any panic on the stock exchange lends evidence to that sentiment.

With regard to the resignation of 13 cabinet members, I applaud their action. (Although there was momentary international panic when Finance Minister, Trevor Manuel, proved to be one of them, his instant reassurance to the world that he would be available to continue in that post under the new administration calmed the waters immediately.)

We knew beforehand that a number of Cabinet Ministers had already indicated that they would not be available for another term of office after next year's elections. Their resignations at this point make sense. The balance of the resignations of ministers in key posts is not an attempt at destabilization. On the contrary, all the resignations are a display of respect, both to the outgoing President and to the new administration.

The six ministers who who will not be available to continue in office have made it abundantly clear, leaving the new administration in no doubt as to a course of action. The balance of the ministers have made it clear that they would be willing to serve under the new administration, if invited to do so. This serves to clear the air. If invited to take up those posts under the new administration, there'll be no waiting for an axe to fall, and it will display a motion of mutual confidence, which is in the best interests of the new administration, the ministers concerned, and the rest of the country.

I believe that the parties involved have acted with dignity and a show of co-operation that is worthy of our Heritage Day celebrations.