Thursday 18 July 2011

Happy birthday to Mr Mandela. What an amazing humanbeing. I don't think we'll every have a wonderful stateman like him, ever again, in South Africa. If only our leaders would follow his example and his mantra in life!
The farm was 1 degree this morning. Dordrecht main street measured -3 degrees. We're having the most wonderful warm winter days - they are simply lovely. Just the farmers are complaining, as their windmills haven't turned in a while because of a lack of wind, however, a friendly reminder, August is on it's way wind et all, plus, the windless days are giving us all oppertunity to burn fire breaks.
It's alleged that young men were caught stealing fuel from the Divisional Council fuel pumps over the weekend. It's sad when our young people behave in this manner. Yes, there is a shortage of fuel, but that doesn't mean resort to crime.
35 Sheep were stolen last week from our neighbours. This is frightening as we were totally unaware of this. Theft hasn't taken place in a very long time at our nick of the woods, however, now it has!
Other Dordrecht news is that the stray dog problem is getting totally out of hand again. Many farmers have lost alot of sheep by dogs mauling them, chasing them to their death. It is sad that in our country people do not look after their pets. It's alleged in our township there are no cats left because of the dog situation being out of hand. In Cape Town they have similar problems, however, the dogs are biting children, which is a huge problem. Residents are therefore calling for the legal euthanasing of all stray dogs in Cape Town. Personally I think this will solve the problem in Dordrecht too as there are too many maimed, pregnant and ill dogs roaming our streets and our farms!
Otherwise it's back to school for all scholars. Most Dordrecht folk take holidays over this time, so most have returned and the kids are back at school. Town is fairly quiet today.
Please continue thinking of and supporting Rentia and Emil Pautz, as they go through this difficult time with Emil's illness. They're still unsure when Emil will beable to go down to Groote Schuur for his big operation on his pancreas, the date should be confirmed tomorrow. This family is precious to us, your support for them is much appreciated. Thank you.
Well the metal unions have stopped strikking and have come to an agreement. Much to our relief, as our contracting business relies heavily on the metal industry. The factory was able to deliver our metal today. Thus this being a good start to the week!

Thursday 14 July 2011

Another lovely warm winter's day in Dordrecht after another frosty morning. These winter days are so enjoyable! Quiet in the town of Dordrecht, in fact it is so sleepy at the moment, that the police, while patroling down our main street, don't even bother to look left or right, and will turn in front of an on-coming motorist - genuine! This morning watching E News Channel (403 on DSTV) I was very distressed to hear Roux Shabangu use the race card to defend his actions in the Public Prosecutors probe into the R1.7 billion deal with the SAP through Bheki Cele. His words in his interview were as follows: "...because I'm a successful Black man in a White run business sector..." Because we are in contracting / tenders for the government, I know for a fact it is more a Black run business sector, and so what - a person is a person is a person no matter what colour, creed or culture. Surely South Africans need to overcome these prejudical nuances and not use race, most especially, when there is fault or a probe. If Roux Shabangu and minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde have done the tenders with irregulatories, broken the law, and have not complied to the constitution, then surely they must face the relevant punishment for their actions - because they've broken the law - not because of race. I'm starting to find the whole blame-shift, especially in the area of race, pretty tedious. It's time South African's moved on after 17 years of democracy - we need to in order to grow as a nation in my opinion.

Dordrecht Stormberg Echo: Monday 11 July 2011

Dordrecht Stormberg Echo: Monday 11 July 2011: "Hello, today is a lovely sunny day in Dordrecht, although heavy frost was encountered this morning, it will turn out to be a beautiful winte..."

Monday 11 July 2011

Hello, today is a lovely sunny day in Dordrecht, although heavy frost was encountered this morning, it will turn out to be a beautiful winter's day!
A reminder for all to keep filled up with fuel because of the strikes in SA. I was reading an article in the M&G today "SA unions have a "death wish" says economist". The strike is now entering it's 2nd week. So far the 3rd Quarter GDP growth preditions are being revised downwards. This is not good news for our economy. Why the government & unions don't pre-plan for every year's strike action & problems is a question I have for them as everytime we have the same problems & the normal person on the street suffers. Every member / worker of a union pays a monthly sub toward the unions. In other words they pay the unions to negotiate on their behalf. Why then, are the unions not negotiating in a peaceful diplomatic way with organisations on behalf of the members / workers? Surely this is the job of the unions? Why then are they making their members / workers go out on a limb to strike, destroying lives & property, going without pay while they strike, and harming the economy of South Africa at large, making employment less and causing more poverty? This does not make for logical sense in my opinion. Food, fuel, housing, electricity, water, etc are already so expensive - now we as ordinary South Africans are going to be made to pay even more - how can we afford this - all because of the unions?
Back to Dordrecht, there are many going through tough times. At this time we think of Rentia & Emil Pautz. Emil has pancreatitis. They are going to East London to the specialist tomorrow, and from there, they will be going to Groote Schuur hospital in Cape Town, where Emil will have an operation. Emil is very ill, and the doctors are not sure if he will make it. Both Rentia & Emil are still very young, and have two young boys. Please let us think of them, support them and help and assist them in any way we are able to. I read a FB comment by the Dalai Lama today which read "Wise people serve others sincerely, putting the needs of others above their own. Ultimately you will be happier. The kind of selfishness that provokes fighting, killing, stealing, using harsh words, forgetting people's welfare will only result in your own loss".