Aberdeen - The Forgotten World...

Fourteen years in Democracy and yet Aberdeen still maintains the strategy of divide and rule. In the past, Government exploitation was the order day. I'm sure inhabitants of my small "dorpie" are not surprise about the Caltex sponsorship for the bowls weekend. I must say with full confidence that I stay in a black township (Thembalesizwe) and that there is a better working relationship between black and coloured people in our town. I'm saying that we have businesses in our town that are supported by the very same black and coloured people who are living in the dusty townships. One would therefore ask in return: "What do these businesses do in the way of Social Responsibility towards the very people who support them?"

I'm merely talking about doing the honorable thing in our young Democracy. Aberdeen usually hosts a Soccer Tournament every Easter and during the December holidays. I have personally written to businesses - including those in Graff-Reinet - for sponsorships but with no success from all businesses in town, including the banks. This negative response came as no surprise really. Once again, I'm talking about Social Responsibility - perhaps one needs to remind the business fraternity in Aberdeen about the ethics of being responsible to the society as a business. Unemployment is very high in our small town and this has resulted in the youth and young professionals migrating to the big cities for employment. They return to Aberdeen during the Easter and December holidays and support the very same Caltex service station by filling up their cars as well as all the other businesses in the town. I put this as a challenge to Caltex and the entire business fraternity of Aberdeen: "We are hosting the very same Soccer tournament again this year. The ball is once again in your court..."

Article By: Lulamile Klassen

Farewell To The Pat And Phil Harris

On Friday 21st November 2008 Aberdeen bid farewell to a very popular couple in the community of Aberdeen, Pat And Phil Harris.
Friends gathered at the Aberdeen Club where Phil has been an active member since his arrival in Aberdeen some ten years ago to say ‘au revoir’ to these two fine members of the community. Pat and Phil have both actively featured in the various organizations of Aberdeen Town, giving vital and unstinting support to community.
The Chairman of Aberdeen Club Dick Ogilvy and the Harris’ close friend, John Watermeyer, thanked them for their active support of Aberdeen Town and the good friendship they gave to so many.

Article By: Joan Tinker

Scrapbooking In Aberdeen

There is a wonderfully therapeutic way of spending a morning or afternoon ‘scrapbooking’ under the guidance of Sue Shaw at the Aberdeen Books and Crafts in Aberdeen.
This is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the world. The reason being, that although photographs are generally available in most homes, they are tucked away out of sight. Scrapbooking gives one the opportunity to enhance, decorate and feature events bringing memories alive again with humorous, factual, exciting and loving workmanship to feature as coffee table wonders.
This is an all age hobby. Children can begin with their childhood photos progressing into the school years before memories are forgotten. This would be a wonderful occupation for the school holidays.
Pictures of grand-parents and great-grandparents can be featured creatively onto the pages of a book, weaving memorabilia and relevant embellishments to revive and relive memories.
There is so much one can do, the list is endless. There are magazines available to assist the creatively challenged, and scrapbooking groups are now becoming as popular as ‘book-clubs.’

Article By: Joan Tinker