Die plaas Middelpos van Neels Neethling buite Malmesbury was ‘n groot belangstellingspunt toe sewe stropers op een slag ingeklim en begin stroop het. Talle nuuskieriges het selfs langs die pad vertoef om hierdie skouspel te aanskou. Foto: James Mangels

Die voorsitter van Agri Wes-Kaap se Landelike Veiligheidsbeleidskomitee, Uys van der Westhuijzen, is dié week verkies as voorsitter van Agri SA se Sentrum vir Uitnemendheid: Landelike Veiligheid.

Sy betrokkenheid by georganiseerde landbou strek oor baie jare. Mnr van der Westhuijzen, wat buite Malmesbury in die rigting van Klipheuwel boer, het in 1986 by die Malmesbury Landbouvereniging aangesluit, waar hy van 2012 – 2013 voorsitter was. Dit was juis in hierdie tyd met die onlussituasie in 2012 by De Doorns waar hy aktief by Agri Wes-Kaap se beleidskomitee vir landelike veiligheid betrokke geraak het.

Hy is ‘n senior reserwemag-offisier met die rang van Luitenant-Kolonel en was in in 2018 die eerste Suid-Afrikaanse weermagoffisier wat verkies is as voorsitter van die Internasional CIOR Military Skills Committee, wat by NAVO geaffilieer is en wat militêre vaardighede evalueer. Hy was ook tussen 1998 en 2008 die bevelvoerder van die Kommando in die Weskus-streek en dien sedert 2014 as voorsitter van Agri Wes-Kaap se beleidskomitee belas met landelike veiligheid.

Mnr Van der Westhuijzen sê dit is krities dat al die rolspelers wat in die SAPD se Landelike Veiligheidstrategie genoem word, saam met Agri SA en sy provinsiale affiliasies werk om landelike veiligheid aan te spreek. Hy sê landelike misdaad is nie net die SAPD en die landbousektor se probleem nie. “Die land se sosio-maatskaplike en ekonomiese situasie speel ‘n groot rol in misdaad, en departemente soos Onderwys en Maatskaplike Ontwikkeling moet deel van die oplossing wees. Wanneer ons net op misdaad fokus, is ons reaktief. Al die rolspelers moet om ‘n tafel sit om pro-aktief ter wille van veiliger gemeenskappe saam te werk,” sê hy.

Hy sê daar moet ophou gedink word dat landelike veiligheid net na plase verwys. “Alle inwoners van die landelike omgewing is blootgestel en ly onder misdaad. Misdaad en investering loop nie hand aan hand nie. Veilige omgewings lok beleggings, daarom is ‘n goed gekoördineerde en geintegreerde benadering tussen alle rolspelers nodig om die kwessie van landelike veiligheid gesamentlik aan te pak.”

Jannie Strydom, uitvoerende hoof van Agri Wes-Kaap, sê die organisasie is trots op mnr Van der Westhuijzen se verkiesing.

“Mnr Van der Westhuijzen is uiters kundig wanneer dit kom by alle aspekte van landelike veiligheid. Die werk wat hy oor baie jare op veiligheidsvlak by Agri Wes-Kaap gedoen het, spreek ook van ‘n passie en ‘n dryf om ons landelike gemeenskappe veilig te maak. Ons weet hy is die regte persoon om Agri SA se Sentrum vir Uitnemendheid vir landelike veiligheid te lei en wens hom net die beste toe.”

Darling Cellars het harte vinniger laat klop toe die uitslae van die pas afgelope Veritas kompetisie bekendgemaak is.

Met twee dubbelgoue en een goue medalje, het Darling Cellars weereens bewys dat daar rekening gehou moet word met hierdie wynkelder aan die Weskus.

70 Dubbelgoue medaljes is vanjaar in die kompetisie toegeken en slegs 7 kelders is met twee dubbelgoue medaljes beloon.

Die dubbelgoud-pronkstukke is toegeken aan die Lady Ann Darling 2019, ‘n witwyn-versnit van sauvignon blanc en semillon, asook vir die Winemakers’ Selection Bukettraube 2020. Waarskynlik die eerste keer in die geskiedenis van Veritas dat ‘n bukettraube ‘n dubbelgoue medalje verower.

Bukettraube is huidig ‘n baie skaars kultivar en volgens SAWIS inligting is daar slegs 43.60 hektaar in Suid Afrika beskikbaar.

Darling Cellars is een van baie min kelders wat wel hierdie kultivar bottel.

‘n Goue medalje is toegeken aan die Gustus Shiraz 2018, terwyl die Old Bush Vines Chenin Blanc 2019 en die Gustus Sauvignon Blanc 2019 elk met ‘n uitstaande silwer medalje beloon is.

Darling Cellars ontvang ook nog ‘n verdere 6 silwer medaljes en 3 brons.

Volgens Pieter-Niel Rossouw, Darling Cellars se hoof wynmaker, is hy en sy span verheug oor dié groot eer.

“Ons weet hoe belangrik Veritas is, nie net vir ons om ons wyngehalte te meet teenoor dié van ander produsente nie, maar ook omdat dit oor en oor bewys is dat die wynverbruiker daardie Veritas-plakker as bewys van gehalte beskou.”

Die Plattergids vir 2021 se graderings is ook onlangs bekend gemaak en Darling Cellars se Old Bush Vines Cinsaut 2018 en Old Bush Vines Chenin Blanc 2019 ontvang albei 4½ sterre.

Daar is ook 8 ander wyne met 4 sterre beloon.

Darling Cellars se uitstalkas loop oor met medaljes en trofeë daar is groot dankbaarheid vir die sukses behaal in hierdie andersins moeilike jaar.

Die hele reeks wyne is te proe en te koop by Darling Cellars se proelokaal waar ligte maaltye ook bedien word.

Die wyne kan ook aanlyn bestel word by https://shop.darlingcellars.co.za

Vir meer inligting en besprekings, skakel 022 492 2276 of stuur ‘n e-pos na info@darlingcellars.co.za

Besoek ook www.darlingcellars.co.za

The response to this question is usually, I am a mom, dad, your profession, man, woman etc.  The truth is, at the very deepest level of “Who Am I?”, the answer is, you are awareness and consciousness. From the moment you were born this is your true state of being. Throughout our lives we choose to play different roles in order to understand who we are and what we choose to be in relation to that which we are not.  The true nature of awareness and consciousness is love. This requires a deep connection to that which is within ourselves, our inner guidance.

I Am

The majestic mountain rising into the sky

The tree firmly rooted in the earth gently swaying in the breeze

The azure blue sky and the emerald green grass

The stillness of the lake, the crashing waves of the ocean

The fragrance of the rose, the shimmering of the desert sand

The warmth of the sun, the coolness of the moon

I Am whatever I choose to Be

Let’s not forget but remember who we truly are. Let’s choose the roles we wish to experience in life with care so that they are a reflection of our highest self.

Create and experience that which brings love and joy foremost to yourself and then let it ripple out and touch all those around you.

We are the divine creation of the Creator.

Love and Light

Tuinmaak met vuil hande

Ek lees in ‘n artikel in DIE BURGER van 14 November 2011 dat “GELUKKIGE MENSE HET VUIL HANDE” geskryf deur Maureen Joubert in “Van Alle Kante”
Nou nie allerlei vuil nie, maar vuil van plant en snoei en onkruid uittrek, met ander woorde, TUINIERS is gelukkige mense.
As jy ‘n kind op sy lekkerste wil sien speel, bring hom tuin toe, of na ‘n sandhoop of ‘n modderpoel.
Die stelling is nie sommer afgelei van waarneming nie, dit is wetenskaplik bewys. Newermaaind “groen vingers”; dis die lekkerte wat jou tuin toe stuur en uiteindelik van jou ‘n bekwame tuinier maak. Dit alles danksy ‘n spesifieke “vriendelike” bakterie in die omgewing en die grond, wat wetenskaplikes reeds glo anti-depresssiewe voordele inhou.
Hulle sê nou ook dat hierdie organisme serotonienvlakke by mens en dier verhoog, wat ons meer ontspanne, gelukkiger en slimmer maak ! Die bakterie se naam is MYCOBACTERIUM VACCAE, en dit word opgeneem en ingeasem wanneer jy lang tye in die buitelig deurbring en veral tuinmaak.
Nou wonder jy net: Moet jou tuinwerk voortaan nie liefs sonder tuinhandskoene aangepak word nie? As jy kaalhand werk, sal dit wat goed is, nie nog beter wees as jy nie jou (vuil) hande was nie?
En as jy uiteindelik oorloop van die opkikkerende organisme, sal diegene rondom jou nie ook daarvan inasem en gelukkiger wees nie?
Daar is altyd êrens ‘n stukkie grond waarin jy jou hande kan steek, selfs op die allerkleinste woonstelbalkon.
Ek het al gesien hoe woonstelbewoners die sypaadjies inspan vir plant. Nou weet ons (baie lesers seker lank voor my) vuil hande behoort aan gelukkige mense.
Ons moet bly wees as die kleingoed met modderbesmeerde hande en selfs gesigte by die kombuisdeur instap.
Dink net hoe hoog hul serotonienvlakke dan is!
Dit is DESEMBER, die dae word langer en warmer en baie tuiniers gaan seker ook bietjie op verlof, dus moet ons sorg dat ons tuine gereed is vir hierdie seisoen van die jaar.
Sorg dat jou besproeiingstelsel reg werk, gooi genoeg deklaag tussen jou plante (hiervoor gebruik ons kompos en dennebasstukke).
Daar is ook nog ander produkte wat gebruik kan word om grondvog te bewaar, kom besoek ons en ons sal u wys wat om te gebruik.
Hierdie tyd van die tuinjaar is daar ook nog ‘n paar tuinpeste en plae wat jy op die uitkyk voor moet wees:
BLAASPOOTJIES: (thrips) is ‘n baie klein goggatjie wat (van wit in die nimfstadium tot pikswart in die volwassestadium verkleur) plante aanval.
By ROSE suig dit die blomknoppe dat dit glad nie kan oopmaak nie.
Ander plante se blare rol toe (dit is waar die nimfe wegkruip) of die blare sit inmekaar verstrengel en is ook taai.
ROOISPINNEKOP: (red spider mite) is nog ‘n baie klein insek wat groot skade kan aanrig by plante, dit kruip gewoonlik onder die blare weg. Die eerste tekens van hul bedrywighede is dat die blare aan die bokant so ‘n sout-en-peper gespikkelde voorkoms kry, by nadere ondersoek sal jy baie fyn spinnerakweb sien wat die blare, stingels en blomme toevou.
SNYBEKKEWER / WINGERDKALANDER: Die kalant kom gewoonlik net in die nag uit om sy vernietigingswerk te pleeg, bedags kruip dit in die grond weg. Dit is ‘n grys-swart kewertjie, kleiner as ‘n klein sonneblompit, dit vreet die blare van verskeie plante, byvoorbeeld Clivias se blaarrante is vol klein inhammetjies, rose se blare bly net die are oor, die res is weggevreet. Vetplante lyk of jy dit met donshaël geskiet het, vol klein vreetmerkies.
WOLLUIS EN WASDOPLUIS: Die twee plantpeste kan ook nogal baie lastig wees op verskeie plantspesies.
Dit besmet plante so erg en suig alle lewe uit hul uit dat dit uiteindelik doodgaan.
Die eerste tekens wat sigbaar is, is die plante word so taai dat jy nie daaraan kan vat sonder om ook taai te word nie, dan word die blare en stamme ook pikswart (black soot) as gevolg van die taai afskeidings.
Die plante kan bespuit word met die korrekte insekdoders, maar die beste manier om dit uit te roei, is deur middel van ‘n sistemiese middel wat deur die wortels opgeneem word.
MIERE & TERMIETE: Dit is twee plae wat ek nogal baie bekommerd oor is, omdat daar in sekere dele van MALMESBURY redelik baie erge besmettings voorkom.
Termiete of ook “rysmiere” genoem, begin enige plek nuwe kolonies, selfs in ons teerstrate en die se fondasies is nie meer veilig nie, orals sien jy hopies sand en grond wat uitgewerk word. Daar is ‘n paar produkte op die mark beskikbaar om die twee plae mee te bekamp.
Wanneer jy probleme met iets in jou tuin ondervind, neem ‘n goeie foto of pluk ‘n blaar of twee af, sit dit in ‘n sakkie en bring dit saam kwekery toe, dan kan ons eerstehands sien wat is fout en die korrekte produkte voorskryf.
Soms het jy al ‘n hele apteek in jou gifkas, maak ‘n lys van wat jy het, miskien het jy dalk al die regte medisyne.
Indien jy tuisbly die Kerstyd, geniet jou tuin en bly gesond.
Onthou; koop plaaslik en sorg so vir jou eie gemeenskap.
Mag julle ‘n baie GESEëNDE KERSFEES beleef en voorspoed vir 2021.
Tuingroete tot 27 Januarie 2021
George Retief

Die Dorings se volgende vergadering vind plaas op Sondag, 6 Desember 2020 te Alfa Sportgronde se A-veld Klubhuis om 14:00.  Alle afrigters en span bestuurders moet die vergadering bywoon.  Elke lid moet ‘n lidmaatskapfooi van R100 saambring.  Kontak die sekretaris/wedstryd-sekretaris Julie September via Whatsapp/Facebook vir alle navrae by 065 275 2187

Criminal activity increases during the holidays so it’s important to take precautions. Here are our tips for protecting your home and family at this time.

Just because you are on holiday doesn’t mean that criminals are also taking a break. In fact, criminal activity generally picks up during peak holiday periods.

Criminals strike all over the country, so even though you battened down the hatches and secured your home before setting off, remember that you need to be equally as safety-conscious when you reach your destination. Here are some tips to help keep you (and your possessions) safe while you relax.

Safety checklist before you leave home:

Test all the zones of your alarm system to ensure that they are working correctly.

Inspect the perimeter of your home to ensure that there aren’t any holes in fences or walls and that any gates are secure.

Make sure that CCTV cameras are working and are positioned in such a way that they give a clear view of what is happening both inside and outside your property.

Check that the electric fence is in good working order. Cut back any plants or trees that may interfere with the fence’s efficient functioning while you are away.

Put outside lights on a timer. For added security, you may consider putting the inside lights on a timer as well in order to give the impression that someone is home.

Be careful about what you post on social media. Advertising the fact that you are going away for a two-week break may not seem like a big deal, but it could come back to bite if the information falls into the wrong hands. Rather discuss the experience afterwards, once you are home safely.

Ask your neighbours to keep an eye on things. Think about offering to let them use your driveway if they are expecting guests over the festive period. The activity will make the home appear occupied. Consider leaving a set of keys with someone you trust in case something goes wrong inside your house.

Arrange for your post to be cleared from your letterbox on a regular basis while you are away.

Double-check that all windows, doors and security gates are locked before you leave. It’s also highly recommended that you inspect all the burglar guards and repair or replace where necessary.

Make sure any outbuildings, including storerooms, are well secured.

Check your insurance policies before you leave. Make sure that items such as electronic goods are sufficiently insured to cover the replacement value if something goes wrong. Although thieves tend to be pretty determined, there’s no reason to make their lives easier, so lock any valuables away.

It is advisable to take additional care, even if you’re not going away during this time.

Don’t advertise the fact that you’re planning on having a bumper Christmas by placing the Christmas tree with the gifts beneath in plain sight.

Discard the boxes of any expensive items with care. A flat screen TV box, computer boxes and the like placed on the kerb places a spotlight on what is in the home. Either refrain from putting the boxes out until the day of the garbage collection or even better, consider burning or collapsing the boxes of more expensive items.

Keep security gates locked and the perimeter beams on if you are entertaining outside. There’s no safety in numbers anymore and thieves will often strike regardless of how many people are around.

Keep security gates locked during the day. Teach your older children the importance of safety and teach them how to lock gates. It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday vibe and become lax about security. Criminals know this and this could be why crime levels tend to spike over holiday periods.

Keep an eye out for suspicious-looking people roaming the neighbourhood and report them to your local community watch if their behaviour concerns you.

Keeping safe while you’re away

Criminals often view holidaymakers as sitting ducks. We all tend to drop our guard while on holiday, and criminals will seize even the slightest opportunity to strike. Unfortunately, people often assume that crime rates are lower in holiday spots, but this isn’t always the case. Here are some tips to help keep you safe while you’re away.

Don’t take valuables to the beach. Lock them away in a safe or place them out of sight.

Don’t walk on the beach at night. Yes, we know it’s romantic, but it can be extremely dangerous.

Don’t walk alone in secluded areas, regardless of how safe it appears to be.

Keep security gates locked at all times.

Lock the doors and close all the windows at night.

Source: www.privateproperty.co.za

‘n Jaar van vele was 2020 en vir baie ander wat dit n jaar van misnoeë en ongeluk was, was dit vir my ‘n besonderse jaar.
Baie mense ken my storie en weet dat ek in 2013 gediagnoseer wees is met kroniese nierversaking wat my lewe heeltemal ontspoor het.
Ek het beslis nie opgegee nie en het aanhou veg en uiteindelik na sewe jaar op die waglys, ontvang ek ‘n nieroorplanting in November 2019.
Dit is n jaar later en ek doen baie goed en baie van dit het ek te danke aan die gemeenskap wat altyd by was en goeie ondersteuning was vir my en my gesin, maar wat die meeste gehelp het was natuurlik die fietsryery.
Ek het laat in 2018 verslaaf geraak aan die stokperdjie, want ek het aanvanklik net begin ry om my hartklop en bloeddruk te reguleer en ek sou nooit kon dink dat ek so ‘n diep liefde vir dit sou ontwikkel nie.
Dus het ek besluit om my nuwe lewe te benut ten volle en terug te gee en help waar ek kan.
Met dit genoem, beoog ek om 5 Desember 2020 200 kilometers te ry met my fiets. Dit sal my eerste dubbele honderd wees.
Hiermee wil ek fondse insamel vir die Cape Kidney Association sodat hulle kan voort gaan met hul werk om pasiënte met nierversaking in minder bevoorregte situasies te kan help.
Ek ry op die dag vanaf Malmesbury na Klipheuwel, daarvandaan Paarl toe verby Hermon en deur die Riebeekvallei tot Moorreesburg en terug Malmesbury toe.
Ek nooi u en vra u om in u harte te kyk en my teen R10 per kilometer te borg.
Alle fondse sal sorg dat ‘n gesin oor die Feesseisoen iets op die tafel kan sit.
Ondernemings is meer as welkom om ook ‘n paar kilometer te borg of donasies te gee.
Meer besonderhede sal volg oor die volgende twee weke.

Vir enige navrae of donasies kontak asseblief vir Bradley Arendse by 079 606 3688.

VELDDRIF – One of the last pit stops well-known blind adventurer Christopher Venter made before finishing his Blind vs 2020 Challenge, was late afternoon on a Saturday at the Riviera Hotel in Velddrif, where he and his team could rest before cycling to Langebaan the next morning.
But for this man, being blind for the past 6½ years, rest is a relative concept, as they were again on their way to take some photos at the Berg River mouth and the harbour at Laaiplek, and that after a day of cycling from Langebaan via Paternoster to Velddrif, in quite bad wind.
Christopher became blind on a trip that he undertook from Cape Town to Dublin in Ireland through Africa on a Vespa scooter. Many thought Christopher to be a bit nuts for using a Vespa for this humongous task, but for Christopher it is about going slowly, looking at your surroundings in a relaxed manner, and making time to meet the locals, hear their stories, and then tell it to others.
After all, that was exactly his goal when he resigned as a chef, tired of sweating in a kitchen. His dream was to become a writer about travel and adventure, and what better way than to live it, to experience it first hand?
He got sick in the middle of Africa, contracting a virus that ultimately left him blind, though it took doctors a long time to figure out what exactly was wrong with him. Only after his sight disappeared completely and many more tests were done, the diagnosis was confirmed. They managed to save Christophers life, but his sight was gone. The ordeal left him pretty broken. During his long recovery he even had to learn to walk again. It took him almost two more years to have his first book on the shelves. Those near and dear to him started urging him to do adventures as a blind adventurer, as it is kinda cool and it will proof that he can still do things. His first trip was basically following in the footsteps of blind adventurer James Holmon, who travelled sightless in the 1850s from Sicily to Southern France. For Christopher this involved amongst other things climbing the active volcano, Mount Etna, sea kayaking along the Amalfi Coast, hiking in the forests of Tuscany and cycling on a tandem bicycle around the wall of an ancient town.
And just like that, Christophers dream came true to be a travel write, using his four remaining senses, smell, listen, feel and taste. After the birth of his son Tate, wife Tamlyn suggested that Christopher travelled closer to home in order not to miss out on Tate growing up. Home is Milnerton in Cape Town. This is when 2020s challenge started taking form, travelling by boat, boot and bike from where the Ceres Mountains spits out a river called the Breede. From the Breede it separates at the only natural watershed into the Kleinberg River, which eventually runs into the Berg River and into the Atlantic Ocean. The Breede River runs into the Indian Ocean.
The plan was first to paddle the two rivers, but as this was a logistical nightmare because the rivers can only be paddled at certain times of the year and might take years to accomplish, it was decided to tackle the route along the two rivers by boat, boot and bike and also travel the entire coastline between the two river mouths.
And then lockdown happened!!
Christopher lost five months. The challenge was renamed to Blind vs 2020. The challenge also changed a bit to include beast and bird…
A few weeks ago Christopher managed to convince the marketing manager at Stellenbosch Landrover , Marius, to allow him to drive one of their newest Landrovers, a beast of a vehicle worth around R1,5 million. Obviously Christophers first request on the matter was met with a shocking: “Are you mad?”, but realising the marketing value of such an undertaking and with the blessing of traffic departments, mayors and the municipalities in Agulhas, Gansbaai and Hermanus, Christopher got what he wanted and Marius navigated a blind man for 50 kilometers at a speed of 40 kph, with all the necessary vehicles and officials escorting them all the way. Christopher chooses his guides very carefully, using friends and/or professionals to accompany him. They must definitely be experts at the task at hand, like Neil Buckland, who owns a bicycle shop in Cape Town and was a professional cyclist before. They met briefly when Christopher was still sighted, but got to know each other very well after Christopher visited the shop asking Neil for help with his tandem bicycle. The two managed to break that same tandem a while later. Then came Rosa, the red tandem that took the two of them on unforgettable rides through wonderful places, with Neil in the front telling Christopher all that he sees, warning him of obstacles in the road and large trucks and strong winds and Christopher at the back, asking a lot of questions, taking in his surroundings by smelling, listening, tasting and feeling, to later put pen to paper and involve his readers with the most amazing stories of living life as a blind man. His remaining senses are so sharp that some of his guides wont belief that he really ís blind and that he is playing the fool with them.
Christopher and Tamlyn was on a visit to Italy when they went for a drive on Vespas. On the way he asked the pilot, a lady: “Oh, are we at the market now?” Very surprised she asked him how he knew that. “I can smell the food and hear the people.”
A while later: “Are we at the beach now?” She was not impressed. How could he possibly know that? “Well, I can smell the sea, I hear seagulls, there is a distinctive smell of suntan lotion and other sounds suggest a beachfront.”
The last straw was Christophers question on a sweet, lovely smell in the air. They were driving passed a gelato (Italian ice-cream) factory. “Hes not blind!! Hes joking!! It is impossible!!” Such experiences makes for lovely stories in Christophers books.
To get to know this unique man better and/or order his books, visit his website www.blindscooterguy.com.

HOPEFIELD – Die gemeenskap van Hopefield het onlangs ’n gebedsaamtrek teen geweld op plase gehou by Hoërskool Hopefield se sportterrein.
Die kleinboere wes van Hopefield het by Die Plaasmol bymekaar gekom, waarna hulle aangesluit het by die dorpsmense wat in die middedorp byeen gekom het. Almal het vandaar af Koperfontein toe vertrek waar die kommersiële landbouers en werkers reeds saamgetrek het.
Die hele stoet van trekkers, stropers, landbou-implemente, bakkies, motorfietse en motors het van hier af Hopefield toe vertrek en deur die dorp gery tot by die sportterrein. Die prosessie is voorafgegaan met ’n interkerklike erediens.
By die sportterrein, waar mans, vrouens, kinders en sommer ook honde van die gemeenskap bymekaar gekom het, is geleentheid gegee om te bid vir vrede in die land, dat daar ’n einde sal kom aan die geweld, veral op plase, en ook vir meer betrokkenheid van kerke en owerhede.
Die voorsitter van die Hopefield Landbouvereniging, Olivier Slabber, het die dag as geseënd beskryf en was dankbaar vir die geleentheid dat die gemeenskap saam kon bid. ’n Soortgelyke geleentheid vir volgende jaar is nie uitgesluit nie.
Die medewerker vir die dag se verrigtinge was Niels Nilsson, die videograwe Niels Nilsson jnr en Gene Tatham en die fotograaf Gerda Nilsson.