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/

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Past Pupils Give Back To Luxolo

The names of the recipients are:
Kaylor Job, Franklin Julies, Cornelius Pienaar, Christiona Job
Lucinda Ludick, David Kombani, Nomawonga Magewu,
Jeffrey Koeberg, Ntombentsha Yoyo and Vanessa Mintoor
* Some recipients are shown in the picture above *

In 1983, Luxolo Intermediate School opened the doors of its new school facilities in Thembalesizwe, Aberdeen. It had been a long, hard road to the realization of this dream for the parents and teachers, with pupils having been housed in church halls and community centres in an attempt to educate them.
The parents eventually approached the Municipality about establishing a building fund into which they contributed funds on a monthly basis with a view to ultimately building a school. The Department of Education eventually came on board and the school building was completed in 1983, with Mr Tinta as the Principal.
In 1991, current principal, Mr Jan Mathiale took over the running of the school, as principal, teacher and secretary – a school secretary was only appointed by the Department of Education in 2008.
Luxolo Intermediate School is classed as a non-fee paying school. In this respect, all funding for the school emanates from the Department of Education and these funds may only be used for those costs determined by the Department. Accordingly, there is no money for the 'extras' that are needed, particularly in regard to some of the poorer learners.
Enter the Luxolites, a group of past pupils of Luxolo who have banded together in a bid to support the school which gave them the grounding to become successful business people. Co-ordinated by Luvo Jacobs, the Luxolites provide funding to the school which is used to assist disadvantaged pupils with school uniforms, stationery, outing fees, etc. The learners who will benefit from this support are selected by the school community based on academics as well as needs, while the school provides the Luxolites with regular feedback on the use of the funds and the progress of the students.
Mr Mathiale believes that the support provided to these students has benefited them enormously in that they are incentivized to work harder due to the special interest taken in them by the Luxolites.
There are currently 10 pupils being supported by the Luxolites, although there are still a large number of deserving pupils who could also benefit from this programme.

First Year of the Project 2007
In the first year Luxolites manage to raise R1 000.00 which only sponsored 3 students. The initiative was only started late in the year as a lot of people were not aware of it and some promised to donate as the project continues.

Second Year of the Project 2008
In the second year of the project the group managed to raise R4 000.00 which sponsored 10 students (including the 3 students from the previous year). Inclusive in the R4 000.00 was a cheque of R1 000.00 donated by a company in George (M & H Office Equipment) which was organised by Skumbuzo Alan Mabuto (Skura) The rest of the money was made up by donations from friends and colleagues who used to study at Luxolo Intermediate School.

The Luxolites would also like to say "Thank you to all the people who previously donated money for this cause - without you the project wouldn’t have started, thanks again. We also urge companies/businesses to give back to the community that enriched them, especially Aberdeen businesses".

Mission for 2009
The Luxolites are appealing to all business owners, companies, community, etc. to donate/contribute in any other way they deem fit to help the school, and also to all the people of Aberdeen - please come on-board as this is a great idea of giving back to the community. The costs are in the region of R300.00 per learner.
We also intend to double the contribution and the number of students.
Any person or organisation who wishes to become involved in this project can contact Luvo Jacobs on 079-057-8997 or Samantha Jankovich on 083-409-9196.

Article By: Luvo Jacobs & Samantha Jankovich

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Tuinroete Agri Sponsored Learner At Aberdeen Secondary School

Johannes Louw, a 16 year old Grade 10 learner at the Aberdeen Secondary School, has been chosen as the beneficiary of the Tuinroete Agri Group Bursary. On 24 June, Mr Theunis Holthausen on behalf of Agri, presented the Principal Mr Kerneels Kamfer, with a bursary to sponsor a financially disadvantaged and deserving learner with all his/her school criteria. The Principal assisted by the teaching staff made this choice in the new school term.
Johannes Louw is the chosen recipient due to his work ethics and dedicated all round ability to progress academically. Not only is his scholastic record good, his sporting ability at soccer is also progressing well. At present he plays in the local team of ‘Everton United’ under the coach Daniel Pieterse as a midfielder, wearing the ‘Number 6’ jersey. He is a bright and happy young man who is fully aware of the responsibilities that this Bursary carries. Once again Mr Kamfer expressed his gratitude to the Tuinroete Agri Group.

Article By: Joan Tinker

Monday, October 19, 2009

Divu Kilae – Earth And Fire Project Begins In Aberdeen

The kiln arrived in Aberdeen on Friday 16th October for the start of the Divu Kilae - Earth and Fire (Pataphysics) Project. A forklift used to lift the kiln from the delivery truck and drive it into the building area, was provided by courtesy of Chris and Glynnis Luiters of the Aberdeen Brickworks. The cost of bringing a forklift into Aberdeen from an outside source would have been prohibitive.

The Divu Kilae is a skills development project starting in Aberdeen in order to train 32 ceramic sculptors in Ward 1 of the Camdeboo.
The first intake of trainee ceramic sculptors will be next week. The selection of these trainees will be done under the auspices of David Jones, Head of Fine Arts at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and a Senior Assistant.
Research will be done into the local clay, which hopefully will prove suitable for sculpting.

Article By: Joan Tinker

An Unemployed Skilled Wood Craftsman

Dirk Goeieman is a self motivated wood craftsman who is determined to succeed and sustain himself in life by using his skills. He uses wood ‘off cuts’ which he gets from Graaff-Reinet, fir tree cones, large seed pods and papyrus. Dirk carves these different natural materials into model sailing ships, antique cars and different types of birds. Some of his sculptured work is painted to enhance its life like appearance.
Dirk would like to expand the range of carvings he is doing at present, and once he has established himself, he plans to pass on his skills to other presently unemployed people in his area.
Dirk is presently working in Aberdeen on premises where an antique shop will shortly be opening. Here he has an area here in which to develop his art form at no expense to himself.
Dirk has been approaching various companies in Aberdeen to sponsor the tools which he does not have, which are vitally necessary for his work, and is anxiously awaiting a possible sponsorship for tools and paint. In an area where unemployment is so problematic, it is inspiring to have a person such as Dirk Goeieman in our midst.

Article By: Joan Tinker

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Diwali ‘Festival Of Lights’ Celebration At The Karoo Moons

Hosts Ernest Rajcumar and Ramsey McCaull

Diwali is celebrated on Amavashya of the Kartik Month, so on Saturday 17th October Ernest Rajcumar and Ramsay McCaull enjoyed the ‘Festival of Lights’ with friends in Aberdeen. Their magnificently appointed private dinning and entertainment area was lit by rows of strategically arranged candle lights, and as the guests arrived, they were presented with vegetarian sweetmeats, coconut slices, and were wished ‘Shubh Diwali’.
In the entertainment lounge, friends relaxed on the long low wonderfully comfortable couches and enjoyed pre dinner snacks in soft candlelight, the relaxed atmosphere created by Hindu music. The custom of exchanging gifts was done at dinner, and each guest received a differently coloured and embroided pashmina.

Guest Carlos De Sousa at The Festival of Lights Celebration

Ramsay and Ernest had prepared spiced vegetarian dishes for the dinner, and this was followed by figs in honey, cheeses and a dessert specialty. Ernest explained that whilst preparing these gastronomic delights, a Hindu prayer had been said, as this was the custom.
This ‘Festival’ is the most popular of celebrations from South Asia by Jains, Sikhs and Hindus. It extends over 5 days and it represents the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

It is also recognized as the welcoming back of Rama and his wife Sita, after Rama had vanquished the demon Ravana. Regardless of the mythological explanation, the ‘Festival of Lights’ today stands as a reaffirmation of hope, a renewed commitment to friendship and goodwill, and a religiously sanctioned celebration of the joys of life.
A Diwali saying says it all: “The night is black, kindle the lamp of love with thy love and devotion”.

Article By: Joan Tinker