Precious Moments For Stellenbosch Family With Lotusville Connections

(fltr) Doreen, Martha, Roselien and Evelien with Kayle & Marlien in front

A momentous moment in the lives of a very special family happened in Lotusville on Saturday 21st November. Twin daughters Roselien Maree and Evelien Hendricks and their mother Martha Smit, met with their father Nick De Jager for the first time since 1985. Martha and Nick’s third daughter, Doreen Davidson was born shortly after Nick had left Rawsonville for Aberdeen, so she never met her father.
At that time, Martha made the decision to stay on the farm in Rawsonville and not to move to Aberdeen where Nick was now living and working, and eventually she moved from the farm with the three girls to work in a guest house ‘Rosendal’ in Stellenbosch, where she worked for 12 years. It was here that she lived with her three daughters educating them at Bloemhof School in Stellenbosch.
In 2008 Martha was now living in Cloetesville just outside Stellenbosch and she and her daughters decided to try and make contact with their father. As Martha’s health was not good, the family felt that this meeting should take place. With the assistance of the Aberdeen Police, Martha managed to make contact with Nick, and so a visit sometime in the future was planned.
Martha’s sister Katrina Smith received a wonderful bonus, which she gave to the family to sponsor their trip to Aberdeen. On impulse they made their plans and surprised their father Nick with a visit this past weekend.
Martha and her daughters, who were understandably nervous about the meeting, were overwhelmed by the wonderful reception they received from Nick and his family.
Nick made time to spend and bond with each of his daughters, and there was also a great grandmother to meet as well.
Another surprise for Nick was the two lovely granddaughters, Doreen’s Kayle and Evelien’s Marlien, both 7 years old.
Doreen, Evelien and Roselien feel completed and are filled with gratitude at being able to have this experience.

Article By: Joan Tinker

Divu Kilae Students Visit Aberdeen Heritage Archive

Katerina Stuurman and Mandy Spogter of the
Aberdeen Earth and Fire Project view pictures of
Aberdeen during the Anglo Boer War

Students from the Divu Kilae (Earth and Fire) Ceramic Project in Aberdeen visited the Aberdeen Heritage Archive and Tourism Bureau offices today. For many of them who have lived in Aberdeen or Lotusville all their lives, this was their first introduction to the historical evidence of their town.
Mrs Dallis Graham welcomed the students while Mr Hilary Graham gave an insight into the meaning and the necessity of having a heritage and archive foundation where information is kept for tourists and residents to view, and he encouraged the students to come forward with any photographs of the past and historical stories which are in the process of being recorded.

Professor Lan Meyers with students of the Earth and Fire Ceramic Project

Mrs Graham told the students that she welcomed all children to visit and learn from the past.
Tour guides Faeeza Mahomed and Thembisa Nonnies gave a tour around the building and Professor Orlando Meyers explained the Projects on display of Astronomy, Science and the Anglo Boer War. The photographs dating from 1899 -1902 of Aberdeen and its residents of that time were of special interest to the students.

Article By: Joan Tinker

Interesting Bee Removable Project Seen In Aberdeen

Nature is being preserved and the threat of a possible bee swarm is being scientifically removed in Grey Street in Aberdeen.
Nikolas Jankovich and James Wood, together have constructed a way of preserving a very old tree in the grounds of the Aberdeen Heritage Archive and Tourism Bureau building, and giving the bees who have made a hive within the tree, another place in which to live.
A large pipe has been inserted into the opening of the tree which leads into the hive, and this pipe is then connected to a removable box like structure specially constructed for bee keeping. Glass piping at one end of the pipe allows a view of the bees crawling into their new home. This whole procedure had to be put into place at night when the bees are most tranquil, but this did not prevent the odd sting.
This procedure will take some time as the worker bees have to move the Queen Bee and the honey into their new hive. When this has been accomplished, the new bee hive will be moved to a location which is not so close to a public pathway.
This interesting and thoughtfully constructed project shows man’s ability to preserve nature in all its forms.

Article By: Joan Tinker

Christmas Craft Market Comes To Aberdeen

On Friday, 4th December, Aberdeen Books and Crafts (the bookshop) are hosting a Christmas Craft Market at their Aberdeen premises. It will be an all day market, from 8am to 4pm. Peter Shaw, of Aberdeen Books and Crafts, comments:
"This is a really exciting event for Aberdeen, as to the best of my knowledge it will be the first time such a market has been held here, other than annual fund-raising events for the NGK and the Old Age Home. It represents a major showplace for those with home or cottage industries in the district, and if successful, we plan for it to become a regular feature of Aberdeen."
To date, there are in excess of twenty stalls, with merchandise ranging from fabrics to baked goods and jams, to meat, plants, donuts, jewellery and much more. Pancakes, borewors rolls, and cool drinks will be on sale. To add to the festivities, Aberdeen Books and Crafts are offering 20% off all books on that day, plus substantial discounts on craft items.For more information, or to book a stall (R50), contact Sue or Peter on 083 794 2262.
Article By: Sue Shaw