Emerging Farmers Graduate

Fourteen emerging farmers from Aberdeen attended a graduation ceremony in Lotusville recently, when they were awarded competency certificates. The young farmers, all aged between 18 and 35, had successfully completed a twenty five day course at level one on animal production. The course consisted of both theory and practical, relating to broiler chickens, pigs, cattle, goats and sheep. Practical training sessions were held at Bokpost farm, which belongs to the Aberdeen Emerging framers Association.

Vuyolethu Mphathi from the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (formerly Department of Agriculture) praised the trainees for their achievements, and explained that the five-week course had been provided to uplift the members of the community. He expressed the hope that these young farmers would spread the word amongst their community of what can be achieved with hard work and dedication. He also thanked the facilitators and trainers for their helpfulness and patience during the training period. Facilitators Henry Mintoor and Tommy Phiri and trainer Sisanda Rasana, from PE, also spoke briefly, encouraging the participants, and thanking them for their hard work.

On behalf of the trainees, Sheldon Afrika and Romilda Louw thanked the trainers, saying how much they had learnt from the course.

The old rent office had been transformed by the talented hands of Jessica Boesak with colourful swathes of material. Snacks and drinks were available as the participants arrived, and after the ceremony they were treated to a very tasty braai.

 

Soup Kitchen

Last weekend Yvonne Frazenberg of Aberdeen decided to treat some of the local elderly residents to a soup kitchen with a difference – instead of soup, the guests were treated to a delicious hot pudding and pack of fruit.

Frazenburg sent invitations to local churches, inviting any people over sixty who had birthdays during the months of January, February or March to come and join her and her team of volunteers at the Sop Kombuis in Lotusville on the Sunday afternoon..

The afternoon started with a prayer, and then a spirited rendition of Happy Birthday was sung by all. The oldest guest was Dora Saayman, aged 87, who very much enjoyed the hot caramel pudding. Each guest was given a lucky number, and the four whose numbers were drawn were given the table bouquets of flowers to take home.

The meal, fruit parcels and flowers were all donated by Frazenburg, who is a very active member of the community. She was assisted on the day by friends and family: Zelda Frazenburg, Leonie Bedaar, Augustine Frazenburg, Veronique Saayman and Margaret Boesak. Well done ladies, this is a treat that those lucky enough to attend will remember for a long time!

Yvonne Frazenberg (back) leads a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday. Eldest guest Dora Saayman front left (hat)

 

Helpers Zelda Frazenberg, Leonie Bedaar and Augustine Frazenberg

 

 

 

Everybody’s Birthday at the United Congregational Church in Aberdeen

Last Sunday the members of the United Congregational Church of South Africa held a special celebration entitled “everybody’s birthday”. The morning service was attended by about 200 people, with many guests augmenting the normal congregation.

This special service was held to raise funds for the church, and organizer Esmé Finnis invited all present to deposit an envelope containing R1 per year of age into one of the  beautifully decorated boxes at the front of the church. The boxes were arranged and labelled by month, so donations were placed in the correct box according to the donors’ birthday month.

Five choirs, all made up of members of the congregation, performed during the service, and the many hours of practice were evident in the polished performances. A special treat was a solo from Erica Lawrence, who magnificent voice rang out through the church, accompanied by Jannie Lamont on the keyboard.

A special celebration that was mentioned was the 41^st wedding anniversary of Esmé and Phillip Finnis, as well as the 60^th birthday of Lena Loxson - all of whom looked much younger than their years!

The next special function to be held by the church is a dance at the library hall on April 27^th. More details can be obtained from any of the church deacons, or from Esmé at Pep Stores.

Donations by age

 

Erica Lawrence

 

Jannie Lamont

 

Lena, Esme, Phillip

 

Ladies Choir

 

Mens Choir

 

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL EVENING OF POETRY AND MUSIC IN ABERDEEN

 

A genuine heartfelt “thank you” to Peter and Sue Shaw of Aberdeen Books and Crafts from all who were present on the evening of 8th March at the Kerksaal in Aberdeen. It was a most enjoyable selection of culture, laughter, singing and music. A wide selection of the community assisted in bringing this event to fruition, and they are to be congratulated on their good-natured community spirit. This appears to have become a yearly event which we all look forward to and hope to see continue.

The profits accumulated by this event are for Aalwynhof, a worthy recipient.

The vivid red and grey back drop of curtains and an elegant setting of chairs and lanterns formed the background on stage for the reading of selected poems chosen by Peter Shaw which were read by Peter himself, and members of the Aberdeen community. The Kerksaal with its magnificent wall hangings and discreet lighting only added to an expectant, hushed atmosphere.

Les McMahon was skillful in providing Peter’s really beautifully chosen visuals and music relating to each individual poem, which created a feeling of depth and enjoyment.

Peter started the readings with “Young Lochinvar” written by Sir Walter Scott. This is a romantic poem of Barons and Brigands and was a very lusty way to start the evening. He also read “Drummer Hodge” a touching poem of a 13 year old boy by Thomas Hardy. Other great favourites were “Kubla Khan” by Samuel Coleridge Taylor, “When you are Old and Grey” by W.B.Yeats and “The Smugglers Song” by Rudyard Kipling, about a smuggler talking to his young daughter. “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes was poignant in its dramatic depth of sadness.

An enjoyable musical interlude was provided by the Sextet from the New Apostolic Church led by Roberto de Jager, who once again all brought their self-taught expertise to the evening playing “We All Stand Together” by Sir Paul Mc Cartney”.  Roberto provided musical backing for Esteline de Jager’s beautiful operatic voice, singing “O Mio ******Babbino******** Caro” and her wonderfully raunchy style of singing ‘Leaning on the Lamppost” by Noel Gray.

Readers, Marius, Denise, Lydia, Sue, Jan and Nomhle, all provided great entertainment reading specific poems chosen for them by Peter. A mind provoking poem “Snake” was skillfully read by Dawn Woods, and Michael de Villiers who read a poem of his own choosing ”Funeral Blues” by W.H.Auden, gave a moving rendition which held the audience captive.

Ds Beyers read Dr Wayne Visser’s “Ek Weet Van ‘n Plek in Afrika” which tells so strongly of Africa.

The final poem read was “Aalwynhof” by Tineke Anderson read by Christa Beyers. It had great meaning for the occasion.

Much laughter was provided by the ever popular “Aberdeen Male Voice Choir”, Peter Shaw, John Weldon and Marius Frazenburg, accompanied by Liesbet du Toit on the piano, who received an encore for all their musical contributions, being “The Hippopotamus Song” and the ever favourite “Three Little Maids From School Are We” in costume.

Tilly Beneke and the ACVV Members provided a good dinner and dessert for the evening.

Joan Tinker