Welcome...

This weblog is a portal for news and items of general interest from the town of Aberdeen in the Camdeboo area of the Cacadu district of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The weblog's overiding purpose is to publicise the town and promote tourism in the region.

If you wish to make any contributions, please send an email to webmaster@aberdeen-sa.co.za and it will be considered for possible inclusion in the weblog.

Articles of a personal or vindictive nature will not be entertained on this weblog, nor will inflammatory religious items or those of a racial, inciteful, derogatory or party particular political nature. Please feel free to exercise your right in this regard on your own website or weblog - if you don't have one, you can easily create one. If you still feel extremely strongly about such issues or don't agree with the views here, you are most welcome to get up from behind the safety & sanctity of your keyboards and out & about in our town, where you can proactively change things - if you have the necessary will, intellect, integrity, perseverance and ability to deliver.

Thanks to our many readers and supporters from all around the world for their words of encouragement - enjoy the news from Aberdeen.

The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the Webmaster.

http://www.aberdeen-sa.co.za/

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Brian Gray Remembers...

Brian Gray writes: I saw an article in the Weekender (November 8-9, 2008) about Aberdeen and it brought back some memories...
In 1984, I worked as the Town Electrician for about 6 months or so. I had been called up to a Citizen Force army camp and travelled to Aberdeen to visit my parents before heading off to the Border for three months military service. Well, on the first day I was in Aberdeen, the whole town knew who I was, and I was offered a job by the Town Clerk. I explained that I was en-route to join my unit, the Durban Light Infantry, and that the Town Clerk would have to apply for a deferment, on the grounds that I was required to work for the town of Aberdeen as it's electrician and that I was essential personnel. Anyway, these things take time and I duly left Aberdeen for Durban. On my arrival at DLI's HQ at Greyville Racetrack, I was informed that an application for my deferment had been made by the Municipality of Aberdeen and it had been turned down. Off I went, with my troops, to an undisclosed location in Owamboland and set up base. I was an infantry signaller and as part of my duty, I hooked up the generator and ran cables for the lighting and power in the camp. The most important thing was the fridge, so that we could have cold beer! A few days later, I was called by the Sergeant-Major and was told that he had good news, bad news and good news for me. The good news was that I was promoted to Corporal, because of the sterling job I did in rigging up the power supply for the camp. The bad news was that I was to be demoted to Rifleman, because the good news was that my deferment had been granted and I was to return to Aberdeen to work as the Town Electrician.

Willem - the electrician's assistant - together with bicycle & ladder

As you can see in the photograph, Willem was my assistant and the little cart and extension ladder was the mode of transport in use at the time. If a streetlight needed to be fixed, or a connection or disconnection made, Willem would push the ladder around town to the requested location and we would run the ladder up and do what needed to be done. Seeing as this took some time, Willem and I decided we could render faster, more efficient service if he perched on the back of my VW Beetle and I towed him and the ladder! Well, this caused a sensation in town and embarrassed the "Stadsraad" to the point where they bought a second-hand Isuzu diesel bakkie for the Electricity Department! Best regards and "groete" to Aberdeen. Thanks Brian - a wonderful personal insight into Aberdeen's past. Webmaster

Here's another photo of the "new" second-hand bakkie for Aberdeen's Electricity Department, taken in front of the old power station. There were four Blackstone diesel engines that supplied the town with power, until ESKOM finally got there in the 1980's.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Private Security In Aberdeen

Dirk Darries, a well known Aberdonian, has formed a company called ‘Aberdeen Security Services cc’. He is assisted in the running of this company by his nephew Godfrey Darries. The company is registered as a security service provider by the private security industry regulatory authority. The registration number is SIRA1588130. This company provides a variety of valuable services for the areas of Aberdeen Town, Lotusville and Thembalisizwe. They have staff trained at colleges in Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage, in all security, managerial and technical services. Approved uniforms are worn by the company staff that carry two-way radios, batons and handcuffs.
The services offered are prevention of shoplifting, 24 hour guarding of premises, both private and business, emergency protection call out, and an ‘after party’ safe drive home service.
At present they have security contracts with Verspryders and Super Stores in Aberdeen, and a 24 hour security service to the Aberdeen Hospital.
The Aberdeen Security Service, owned by previously disadvantaged people, is passionate about serving the community with dignity, loyalty and pride.

Article By: Joan Tinker