Back to school

Aberdeen schools are hard at work already, with all reporting a successful first week. Principals are happy to report that the necessary stationery arrived in plenty of time, although Aberdeen Secondary has received less than one third of the required text books.

Of more concern is the vacant posts which has inevitably led to large class sizes and in the case of the secondary school, classes without teachers. The district office in Graaff-Reinet has not be able to offer any reassurance to the schools as to when the vacant posts will be filled, and apparently have to wait for Head Office in Bisho.

Aberdeen Primary School has an enrolment of just under 400 at this stage, and they are still waiting for some children to return. Classes are big, with over fifty children in one class in both grade three and grade seven. Many of the children come in from the farms in the district, and these are accommodated in the school hostel. They have ten teachers on their staff, but are still waiting for the replacement for two temporary teachers. One teacher has been appointed by the school's governing body, and the principal is very grateful to this dedicated lady who is a key member of staff. Grade One classes were off to a flying start on the first day, with well-planned activities underway from the beginning. Most of the children had been in Grade R the previous year so settled in quickly, although the Grade R teacher did have a few tears to contend with!

Kamdebo Primary is the largest school in the area, with over 600 pupils. Of their 22 teachers, two are paid by the SGB, and there is one vacant post following the retirement of a teacher last year. They are fortunate to be able to have smaller classes, with the two grade five classes being the biggest with 36 pupils each. Grade One classes were busy colouring in worksheets almost as soon as they got to the classrooms, and the teachers were able to improvise an alternate activity for those unexpected extra children who arrived on the first day. Each child was able to use a brand-new set of pencil crayons, which was a real treat for many.

At Luxolo Intermediate School, over 400 pupils started the day with assembly in the open, and then were taken to their new classrooms. Once again the Grade One teachers were on the ball, and had a programme of activities planned for the children. Parents had collected their children's exercise books earlier in the week, so they had already had a chance to cover them. The children at this school looked particularly smart, with almost all in full uniform in the distinctive black and yellow. This school is particularly hard hit regarding staffing, as they currently only have nine teachers to fill the twelve posts. One teacher retired at the end of last year, a new HOD post has been granted, and the temporary teacher from last year has not yet been reappointed. Except for Grade One, there is only one class in each year, and the Grade Four class has sixty children.

Aberdeen Secondary is also badly understaffed at this stage, with only fifteen teachers instead of the required eighteen. Fortunately their two temporary teachers have been appointed until March, but they have not received replacements for the two teachers who have left or the one young teacher who was tragically killed in a motor accident in December. At the moment, teachers are having to spend their administrative periods supervising the classes without teachers, which is far from ideal. Two teachers are urgently needed for English (first additional language), and also one for business studies for grades ten to twelve. There are 565 children enrolled at the school, but as of last Friday, only 507 were at this stage in class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bookclub

The ladies of Aberdeen Book Club have had a busy start to the year. Last Friday ten of the members met at the Polka restaurant in Graaff-Reinet for a belated Christmas lunch, which was greatly enjoyed by all. Fortunately the ladies were given a private room, as the noise levels rose considerably during the course of the lunch! Many took the opportunity after for some shopping in Graaff-Reinet, then returned home, glad not to have to cook supper for themselves that evening.

This Tuesday was the first meeting of the year, held at the home of Sharon Landman. New books were discussed, with the members agreeing to differ over one of the most controversial books of 2012, Fifty Shades of Gray! Two sisters who are members of the group, Tanya van der Merwe and Theresa van der Merwe, both gave birth to their first child at the end of September, and there was much competition from the ladies to hold the little ones. Most are of the age where they no longer feel broody for themselves, but would love to have more grandchildren!

The next meeting will be held in February at Tanya and Albert van der Merwe's farm, a visit which is always eagerly anticipated.

 

Ladies of the book club

Cemetery

Another project that has been undertaken by members of the Aberdeen Ratepayers Association is the restoration of the town's cemetery. With all the rain at the end of last year, the weeds have almost taken over large areas of the cemetery, and many graves are almost hidden from site.

At the end of last year, a donation of Roundup weedkiller was obtained from the municipality in Graaff-Reinet, and a large area was sprayed in December. Unfortunately there was not sufficient weedkiller to cover the whole area, but a start was able to be made. Last week a team of municipal workers cleared up a small area of the weeds, which have been left in heaps around the cleared area. Ratepayers Chairman Tienie Appel has had discussions with the municipality, who have agreed in principal to provide a tractor and trailer to remove the rubbish. A few farmers from the Aberdeen district have offered to bring their labourers to help clear the weeds and load the trailer.

Another problem at the cemetery is the large amount of litter scattered around, from broken bottles to plastic bags. Apparently many youngsters have been seen hanging around there in the evenings, and from some of the rubbish found, it is suspected that drugs are also being used there.

The front wall near the main entrance has been broken down for well over a year. Under Appel's leadership, the Ratepayers have plans to rebuild the whole wall, as there seems to be no sign of anything being done by the municipality. An insurance claim has been pending for a long time, but the Ratepayers have decided to go ahead and fix it themselves, with donations given by many members of the community and farmers who have family members buried there.

It was noticed that the railings around the Anglo-Boer war graves, which were broken when a tree fell across them in the big storm of December 2010, have still not been repaired!

 

Overgrown area

Cleared area

Broken wall

 

Leiwater

For some time now the leiwater, or irrigation water, in Aberdeen has been reduced to a trickle, with many of the nearly one hundred properties serviced by the water actually receiving none. Residents with access to the water pay for the privilege – the water is free, but the money paid is for the maintenance and upkeep of the furrows. Many residents have complained to the municipality, with no apparent effect, and the furrows have remained overgrown and in many cases full of rubble, assorted bottles and garden refuse.

Tienie Appel, in his position as Chairman of the Aberdeen Ratepayers Association, has received many complaints in this regards, and at the end of December decided to do something about it himself. He started with a group of just three workers who he employed for the day on Saturday 29^th December. Equipped with spades and pangas, the men set about clearing the area from the weir (near the bypass) towards the bowling club. The channel was choked with vegetation and assorted rubbish, ranging from shoes and clothes to bottles and rocks. On the Monday the men returned with four others, and by the middle of the day the water was already flowing again. A final assault was made on the channel on Saturday 5^th January with three men, who again spent half a day clearing away vegetation and defining the edges of the channel.

Approximately 500m of the water course was cleared by the men in these three half days, and the difference in the flow of the water has been remarkable. Jean Watermeyer, chairlady of Aberdeen's Publicity and Tourism Office, is full of praise for the work that Appel initiated, and is very grateful that someone has stepped in to deal with the problem.

" I could not stand by and do nothing" said Appel. "Trees in the town are dying, along the streets and in private gardens. I have invested my life in Aberdeen, and will do all I can to restore the town to its former glory". Some other residents have contributed towards the cost of the workers, but Appel deserves the credit for organizing the project, and supervising the workers to ensure that the job was done.

Almost one hundred properties in the lower part of the town have access to the irrigation water, paying between R250 and R350 per year for the maintenance of the furrows. According to many older residents, in the past, the system was shut down, half of the town at a time, for about a week in the winter, for thorough maintenance to take place. This has not happened for many years, and the effects of this neglect are clear to see. The municipality is receiving close to R30 000 every year from those ratepayers with access to the water that is supposed to be used for this maintenance work – not a lot per month, but surely sufficient to maintain this unique system in working order.

According to Clive Kombani, he had applied to Graaff-Reinet for approval to employ casual labourers to clean the area some time ago, but has still not received this 

           

          Before   

              

After

Makeover for Thembalesizwe Crèche

Members of the ward committee for Aberdeen (ward one) got together last Saturday to brighten up the lives off the youngsters who attend the Thembalesizwe crèche. Everyone contributed towards a supply of paint, and the members, together with councilors Desmond Coetzee and Thembisa Nonnies, a community development worker and a helpful member of the community set to with brushes and paint.

The original cartoon figures on the walls were badly in need of touching up, as they were badly faded, and the interior walls were also freshened up with a new coat of paint. The group spent most of the day on the project, and were justifiably proud of their efforts at the end of the day.

 

 

                                            

                                    Hillary Graham touching up one of the cartoons 

                                       

                                            The group of enthusiastic painters

PIGGERY PROJECT

In 2008 a project was initiated in Aberdeen as part of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Agrarian Land. Sixteen beneficiaries were identified who showed an interest in pig farming, and the Aberdeen piggery was built. It is situated on municipal land 3km out of town on the Kliplaat road, on the outskirts of Lotusville, and comprises four piggery structures with 100 units per structure. 

Initially the project members started full of enthusiasm, but over time, five men have dropped out, with one new member joining the group. There were some problems in that not all the members kept to the strict hygiene standards required, and at the beginning of 2011 Lana Olivier was approached by two of the members to become their mentor. Olivier's father farmed pigs, so she has a great deal of experience to offer the group, and she has in turn enlisted the help of Aberdeen resident Karen van der Merwe.

The Department of Agriculture and Agrarian Land has assisted since 2009 by providing piglets and pig feed. Eight kilometers of fencing has been erected around the piggeries, an essential to prevent theft. A borehole was drilled, and the project has a solar-powered water pump as well as water tanks for rainwater.

A total of 27 jobs were created in the initiation phase, and casual workers are also employed from time to time. Most importantly, the eleven men and one woman who farm the pigs have been provided with an opportunity to learn skills which will enable them to generate an income to support their families.

Recent developments include the planting of lucerne for the pigs earlier this year. A new market has been found for the meat - the pigs will be sent to the abattoir in Graaff-Reinet, and the three major supermarkets have agreed to buy the pork.

Members of parliament with an interest in agriculture have visited the project, and have been very impressed by the achievements of the farmers and by the quality and healthiness of their stock. The farmers are very grateful to the various government departments for giving them this chance, and the skills passed on from their caring mentors are much appreciated.

The Aberdeen Piggery project has grown, with successful breeding of their own pigs ,so the farmers are now in a position to sell off some of their surplus animals. Over fifty pigs are available for purchase, mostly about six months old and weighing in from 60kg. The price is R12 per kg, which is discounted to only R10 per kg if more than one pig is bought. Nicholas Skosana, who has been tasked by the farmers to market the animals, explained that the farmers wished to give others the opportunity to start their own small farming initiatives.

Anyone who is interested in purchasing pigs can contact Fana May on 071 754 4029

A teacher from Aberdeen Secondary School was among those tragically killed over the holiday period. Amanda Thandokhazi Tebeka was on her way to visit family in Cape Town, accompanying her brother's two children. The taxi in which she was travelling was involved in an accident at De Doorns, in the Western Cape, on Thursday 13^th December. A bus travelling in the opposite direction, coming from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape, burst the tyre on the right front wheel and the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to crash head-on into the taxi. The taxi caught fire, but despite already being burnt Amanda managed to break a window and throw the two children through – they were the only two to survive from the taxi. The children, aged eight and ten, suffered a broken leg and broken arm respectively, but were otherwise unharmed. The driver and one other passenger were also burned to death, and twenty one passengers from the bus were treated for minor injuries.

Tebeka was born and bred in Graaff-Reinet, and qualified as a teacher from the Cape Town University of Technology with a Bachelor of Education just a year ago. Aberdeen Secondary School, where she taught business studies and English, was her first teaching post, and the 26 year old soon settled in. She was widely respected by teachers and pupils alike, always with a smile and very willing to please. Her positive attitude endeared her to all, and she soon crept into everyone's heart in this small community. One of her colleagues remembers an example of Amanda's kind-hearted nature, when she went out of her way to help two matric girls who couldn't afford to attend the Matric Ball.

Her funeral was held in Graaff-Reinet on 22^nd December. She will be sorely missed in Aberdeen.

                                        Matric success at Aberdeen Secondary

Principal Kerneels Kamfer Is delighted with the 58% pass rate achieved by the 2012 matriculants of Aberdeen Secondary School. Of the 31 learners who were entered for the exams, 18 passed, and all but one of those who were unsuccessful have qualified to write the supplementary exams next month. Seven of the learners received marks high enough to study for a bachelor's degree at university, and a further six achieved the necessary grades to pursue a diploma course. The top student is Nadier Flippies, who has been an outstanding achiever throughout his school career.

The school's results show an encouraging rise from the 2011 level of a 46% pass rate, and it is hoped that this trend will continue for the 44 learners who are in grade twelve this year.

                             

                  Some of the excited successful matriculants of Aberdeen Secondary School

Military Veterans Info Meeting

Over sixty people gathered in the Kabouterland Creche in Lotusville last week to listen to Samuel Manuel, chairperson of the South African Cape Corps Military Veterans Association. The aim of the Association, which is based in Port Elizabeth, is the upliftment of military veterans and their beneficiaries, helping them to claim those benefits to which they are entitled.

This is the third time that Manuel has visited Aberdeen, as part of his travels around the Eastern Cape. Many of those present were there to find out the progress on their applications for the various benefits available, and Manuel and Secretary Cedric Bosman patiently answered the many general queries as well as helping with specific problems.

Bosman explained the details of how a claim for compensation can be lodged, and the documentation required to be admitted to the veterans' medical aid scheme. This was of particular interest to those present.

More information is available on the Association's website www.mil.vet.co.za, or local representative Maria Lewies can be contacted on 074 382 0985.

                           

                           

Revamped library for Aberdeen primary.doc

Revamped library for Aberdeen primary

Aberdeen Primary School received a wonderful donation of books worth over R22000 for their library last week, and as an added bonus, five willing helpers for a week to organize it.

The donation came about through a contact of Dr Laetitia Greyling of NMMU in PE. Dr Greyling herself has been involved with the school for a number of years, bringing students to the school, improving the school environment, and supporting the teachers. On her visit last August  Dr Greyling was accompanied by a Swedish visitor, Ann-Charlotte Lindgren, a lecturer from Gothenburg University  who was visiting NMMU on a scholarship from her university.

On her return to Sweden, Lindgren’s family were caught up in her enthusiasm for the school, and her 18 year old daughter Stina, together with a friend, Sanna Ekman, set about raising funds for the school.  Lindgren’s husband Sune, a sports coach, also collected 44 pairs of assorted sports shoes, mostly new, and ten soccer balls. The group arrived in South Africa 3 weeks ago, and after spending some time in Cape Town and PE, came to Aberdeen last week to hand over their donations. The girls had managed to raise a wonderful today of R22000, and together with Dr Greyling, they visited all the bookshops in PE, managing to get a large number of brand-new children’s books at discounted prices.

The adults stayed with Helen Polley, a retired teacher of Aberdeen Primary, while the girls stayed at the school hostel. This was quite a novel experience for them! They are both in their final year of upper secondary school, and the work they have done for Aberdeen Primary will form part of their final school assessment.

The days in Aberdeen were spent covering all the new books –a daunting task in itself- and totally reorganizing the library. Many of the current books were found to be unsuitable for primary school children, and were therefore removed. Where possible they were donated to Aberdeen Secondary, and the remaining books were given to the municipal library. A volunteer, Jolene Williams, who is a past learner of the school, also helped during the week, and is continuing the work in the library.

The children were also very excited about the sports shoes and other sprots equipment. Most of the shoes are multi-purpose, and will be able to be used for sports as varied as netball and rugby. They will be kept by the school, and loaned to the children as needed.

Principal Johan Minnaar is delighted with the work done by the visitors, and is very grateful for the donations. The ongoing support of Dr Greyling, who has now retired from her full-time post at the university, is much appreciated by the staff and the community.

1.Excited pupils show off the new sports shoes with Sune Lindgren and Johan Minnaar

2.Covering books fltr Stina Lindgren, Ann-Charlotte Lindgren, Laetitia Greyling, Jolene Williams

Front Sanna Ekman

3. the children looking at some of the many books donated by the Swedish visitors

 

Market day

Bargain-hunters in Aberdeen were well catered for last Saturday, with both a small street market outside Vanity Fair and the sale at the bookshop. The Aberdeen Kennels table for animal welfare work at the market was particularly well supported. Maureen MacAndrew was thrilled with the generosity of the supportive people of Aberdeen who donated goods to be sold, and also grateful to those who came along on the day to browse and buy. The money raised will be used for a variety of expenses incurred by MacAndrew and Lynn Holdt of Aberdeen Kennels in the sterling work they do for animal welfare in the community.

After browsing through the household goods on offer at the street market, most people then made their way to the bookshop, where welcoming refreshments were available. Young Annie Jankovich expertly flipped her delicious pancakes, Leonie Bedaar smilingly served coffee and shortbread, and for those with a taste for something more substantial, Samantha Jankovich’s boerewors rolls went down a treat. Vroutjie se Koutjies’ laden table of goodies was soon depleted, and as always Anita’ Lategan’s plants were most decorative. Peter Shaw was delighted to see many familiar faces inside the bookshop, as well as several visitors from Graaff-Reinet and further afield.

The weather played along, and there was no trace thankfully of the rain that had been experienced earlier in the week. MacAndrew is keen to have more month-end street markets, and anyone who is interested in selling their goods should speak to her at Vanity Fair for details of the next market.

                                          

Bargain-hunters support animal welfare at Vanity Fair’s street market

 

Church builder’s daughter visits Aberdeen

Aberdeen was the destination recently for three tourists who had a particularly personal reason to visit the town. Moira Bürisch (née Ablett), her son Roland and his wife Nola, were visiting from Johannesburg, and enjoyed very much visiting the wallhangings in the NGK hall, and the highlight of their visit, the church itself.

Bürisch’s father Fred and grandfather James had been involved in many building projects in the town, including the Aberdeen Hotel, and many houses and farms. The project of which they had been most proud however was the church.

Bürisch herself was born in Aberdeen in 1932, living in a house on the site of what is now the restaurant Moertoe. She remembers the house being very big, with a large wide verandah, big enough to host a wedding reception! The house later burnt down. Bürisch moved to Port Elizabeth with her family when she was six, after starting school in Aberdeen, and then lived for over fifty years in Harare.

Moira Bürish with her son and daughter-in-law admire the Biblical panels in the NGK hall

 

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