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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.

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

Monday, October 31, 2011

CALTEX CLEAN-UP

The promised litter clean-up last Friday was a wonderful success, with 300 primary school children making a clean sweep of Aberdeen!

Each school had prepared thoroughly for the day, with its one hundred participating pupils divided into groups of twenty, under the watchful eye of one of the enthusiastic teachers. The pupils were well-briefed before setting out, with instructions to separate the rubbish into different bags of glass, paper and plastic, ready for recycling. Each group had a map, showing the area they were to cover, and the groups worked steadily through their areas with almost military precision.

The weather played along, and fortunately the strong winds of the previous days had abated. The day was sunny, calm, and not too hot, and the children all seemed to enjoy the chance to be out in the open, rather than in a stuffy classroom.

One group in Lotusville had a shock when they came across a large leguan with a clutch of eggs under a tree in Frazenburg Street. It is debatable whether the teacher or the children ran the fastest!

Clive Kombani from the municipality had a busy morning, as several groups sent desperate pleas for more bags. When the bags were all collected later that day, in five loads, an amazing total of 1141 full bags of rubbish were counted!

After a very productive 3 hours in the streets, the groups all congregated at the library hall for a short ceremony. Janet Tinus (HOD Luxolo) acted as MC, and introduced the children to the sponsors. She revealed that Volks  garage and Tienie Appel had a special place in her heart, as her father had worked at the garage, enabling him to pay for her studies to become a teacher. She also pointed out that Caltex is the only franchise operating in Aberdeen, and how grateful the community is that this franchise is ploughing something back into the community.

Jonathan Tsheti, Caltex Eastern Cape, marketer from East London, travelled specially to Aberdeen for the campaign, and was very complimentary about the organization and cooperation he witnessed.

Tienie Appel, who was responsible for securing the funding from Caltex, and who also donated on behalf of the garage, shared his vision that this should be an annual event. He commented on the enthusiasm of the teachers, and how they successfully motivated the children.

Councillor Desmond Coetzee gave the children some background information on Camdeboo municipality, reminding them that it was rated the best in South Africa for service delivery. He expressed his gratitude to Caltex and Appel on behalf of the municipality for bringing the clean-up programme to the small town of Aberdeen.

It was then the turn of the representatives from the schools, who unanimously agreed that the programme was very worthwhile, and that it was a valuable way to encourage the community, municipality  and schools to work together.

Five learners from each school, one chosen randomly from each group, received a small cash prize. Each school also received three donations of R300, to help support three needy children. Some of these children were part of the clean-up, and their parents were invited to attend the ceremony.

Some of the children were understandably getting a little restless by this stage, but Tienie Appel soon had them on the edges of their seats with a game of “the money or the box” for the principals. Despite the temptations of up to R500, all opted for the box – and all felt as though they had been conned when the boxes all turned out to be empty! However they were not disappointed when their prizes were revealed – a brand new 4-in-1 laser printer for each school, donated by the sponsors. This caused great excitement!

A special thank you was given to two members of the community who had volunteered to help. Daniela Hamblin and Jan Muller, both members of Aberdeen town SPF, each took responsibility for a group of children in the town, and participated fully in the programme.

The ceremony concluded with the children and teachers being given refreshments, also provided by the sponsors.

Many people in town were slightly skeptical beforehand, as to how well the children would participate, but all were very happy to be proved wrong, and many made a point of thanking the children as they cleaned up. This was much appreciated by the children and teachers. It is to be hoped that the children have learned an important lesson, and that they will encourage their families to think before they carelessly drop litter. Appel and Caltex are to be congratulated on a wonderful initiative that has benefitted the whole community.

      

      

 

Luxolo Day

 

On 12th October Luxolo Intermediate School celebrated its 28th birthday. The school opened the doors of its current buildings in Thembalesizwe in October 1983. It had been a long, hard road to the realization of this dream for the parents and teachers, with pupils previously having been housed in church halls and community centres in an attempt to educate them.

 

The parents in the meantime had approached the municipality about establishing a building fund into which they contributed funds on a monthly basis with the aim of  having a proper purpose-built school. The Department of Education eventually acknowledged the need, and the school building was completed in 1983, with Mr Tinta as the first principal.

 

In 1991, current principal, Mr Jan Mathiale took over the running of the school, not only as principal, but also as teacher and secretary as well - a school secretary was only appointed by the Department of Education in 2008. The school now has a staff of 12 full-time teachers, and has classes from grade R to grade 9. The current enrolment of the school is at its highest ever, with 408 learners who range in age from four to seventeen. The children are taught in isiXhosa until grade 3, and thereafter in English. The home language for the majority (approximately 60%) of learners is Afrikaans.

On Luxolo Day the children were encouraged to come to school in their own choice of clothes, and two periods of the day were devoted to learning about and playing indigenous games, which were much enjoyed. The children also had the opportunity to have their faces painted in the distinctive Luxolo colours of yellow and black.

 

The teachers of Luxolo

This sign greets people leaving Aberdeen towards Graaff-Reinet – “NO LINES” – but there is no road!!

 

Carpentry

Noluvo Feni, who is the probation officer from Aberdeen Social Development coordinating crime prevention and support, has recruited three ex-offenders from the community to be trained in carpentry. The aim of the project is to teach ex-offenders a skill that is in demand, that will enable them to open a small business and earn a living, thus keeping them away from further criminal activities.

A budget of R30 000 was provided to the department for reintegration of ex-offenders, which includes payment for the trainers. Gcobani Kolweni of GrobisizweBuilding Construction  in King Williams Town travelled to Aberdeen for this project, and amongst other skills, trained the men how to make a ceiling.

They received their certifiacates of competence in carpentry skills at the end of last month, and are now eager to start work. Anyone who is able to offer them work can contact them  through the social development personnel at the municipality.

The newly trained carpenters proudly showing their certificates, with Noluvo Feni and Thembani Tshobo from Social Development

Fltr :     Thembani Tshobo, Danville April, Noluvo Feni, Godfrey Berends, Clinton Leyon

 

OFF ROAD RIDING COURSE

Country Trax, the well-known off-road riding academy, is running another one day introductory course for off-road riding in Aberdeen next Saturday, November 5th. Three qualified instructors will be on hand, including local rider Derick van Rensburg . He is very enthuaistic about the course, and is very much looking forward to sharing his passion for off-road biking with others. The aim of the course is to teach riders to get the most from their bikes, to promote safety and the importance of the correct protective clothing, and most of all to have fun!

The course will be held at van Rensburg’s farm, Wynberg, which is approximately 20 km outside the town, in the Camdeboo. Snacks, cooldrinks and lunch will be provided, and at the end of the day, each participant will receive a certificate. Places are limited to twenty for safety reasons, so anyone interested is advised to book as soon as possible, as the course is already about half full. All riders over the age of sixteen are welcome to attend.

Several of the previous participants have shown interest in learning more, and van Rensburg also hopes to be able to offer the three-day intermediate course in the near future if there is sufficient demand.

The day will start with refreshments at 7.30, with participants taking to their bikes at 8am. The cost for the full day is R790 all inclusive.

Bookings can be made through Country Trax by contacting Celia on 082 895 5009 or email info@bikebookings.co.za

The slogan of Country Trax is “Learn, Conquer, Explore” – this course, judging by the enthusiastic reviews of those who participated in the inaugural session in February, is guaranteed to help participants to do just that!

                           

POST OFFICE MOVE

Aberdeen Post office staff completed a successful move to their new premises in Grey Street last week without any hitches, and the new office was open for business as usual on Friday.

Gone is the rather dilapidated wire mesh separating staff from customers, with parcels being passed over the top of the “cage”. Now there is shiny gleaming glass between the staff and customers, and large ingenious boxes which open on both sides to pass parcels through. The building is spotless and with all “mod cons” – but somehow lacks the atmosphere of the gracious old building!

The last customer at the old building was served late on Wednesday afternoon

Helena Swanepoet and Leone Raulstone spend their last day behind the “cage”

Inside the new post office

The new building

 

 

Birthday Celebration

Aalwynhof Old Age Home in Aberdeen was the beneficiary of a most generous birthday gift last week. A local resident, who holds Aalwynhof very dear to his heart, decided to have a birthday lunch party with a difference.

Instead of bringing presents, guests were asked to bring a donation of non-perishable food for the home. “I was inspired by a tea party last year, where the “birthday girl” (aged 78!) asked people to donate to Aberdeen Kennels instead of bringing presents” he explained. “I am  very grateful for all that Aalwynhof does, and wanted to show them my appreciation”. The guests were more than happy to comply – after all, it is always very difficult to know what to buy a man for a present!– and goods ranging from home-made jams to chocolate vermicelli to bags of rice.

About forty guests enjoyed a delicious lunch of lasagna and salads, and all agreed that this was a very special occasion. The total mass of all the goods was about 70kg – a welcome gift indeed.

 

Sylvia Gouws and Alfred Samson , staff at Aalwynhof, show off just some of the goods donated after the recent birthday party