Does Your Marketing Pass This 10-Point Test?

Herman Pienaar
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Does Your Marketing Pass This 10-Point Test?
by: Debbie LaChusaGood marketing, whatever form it takes, always meets certain criteria. That’s what makes it good. The following 10-Point checklist will help you determine if your marketing passes the test. I challenge you to evaluate one of your recent ads, promotions or other marketing activities to see how it measures up.
  1. Does it focus on the solution or benefit you provide?
Too often ads simply list product or service features. Don’t make your prospects work that hard to figure out how your product or service can help them. Tell them straight out.
  1. Does it have one, clear message?
What’s the one message you want to communicate? Make sure it’s not buried in too much information or it may not get across.
  1. Is it focused on one, specific group of prospects?
Do you know who you are talking (and marketing) to? Make sure your marketing is targeted at one, specific group of prospects – it’s the only way to make sure you are addressing their needs.
  1. Is it written in language these prospects can relate to?
If you want your message to resonate with your prospects, make sure it speaks to them, both in content and in the tone and language you use.
  1. Does it feature your Unique Selling Proposition?
This is the ONE thing that sets you apart from every other product or service your prospect could possible buy to fulfill the same need. It better come across loud and clear in everything you do
  1. Does it have one, compelling point of focus?
Ever see an ad with so many things in it you didn’t know where to look first? Your prospects won’t know either if you try to cram too much into your ads or promotional materials.
  1. Does it accurately communicate your business’ personality?
Yes, your business has a personality and everything you do should reflect it. You want your prospects to feel like they “know” you. If you change your personality every week, they won’t come to know and trust you.
  1. Does it give prospects more than one reason to respond?
Not everyone is ready to buy, or take the one, primary action you want them to take. Make sure you give them another reason to respond, or they are simply a lost lead.
  1. Does it give prospects more than one way to respond?
Make it easy and convenient for prospects to take action. What if you only offer an email or web site address and someone doesn’t have computer access, or they’re away from their office but they want more information right now?
  1. Do you have a specific objective for the marketing?
If you don’t know what your marketing is designed to achieve, then how will you know if it was successful? Always have a plan and an objective for everything you do.(C) Copyright 2005 Debbie LaChusa, 10stepmarketingAbout the author: 20-year marketing veteran Debbie LaChusa created The 10stepmarketing System to help small business owners successfully market their business, themselves without spending a fortune on marketing. To learn more about this simple, step-by-step program and to sign up for her FREE audio class and FREE weekly ezine featuring how-to articles, tips and advice, visit http://www.10stepmarketing.com

Posters and Banners, the do’s and dont’s of putting them up in George

Herman Pienaar
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Posters and Banners, the do’s and dont’s of putting them up in George
Issued George Municipality, 14 th November , for immediate release Afrikaans onderaan hierdie berigGeorge Municipality would like to advise all organisations and individuals who wish to put up posters and/or banners prior to the festive season that it is illegal in terms of our Standard Bylaw regarding Streets (PK 565/1987) to put up posters in the George jurisdiction without prior permission of the Municipality. Organisations and individuals alike should further take note that there is an application process and deposits, and fees are payable. All requirements in the Bylaw need to be met and will be strictly enforced.POSTERS THAT ARE ERECTED ILLEGALLY WILL BE REMOVED AND DESTROYED. Permission for the erection of posters on lamp posts is granted, in accordance with the Regulation regarding Advertisement Signs and the Defacement of the Façade on the Forefront of Streets (PK 565/1958) and the Standard Bylaw regarding Streets (PK 565/1987) to: Individuals erecting posters for municipal and/or parliamentary elections and meetings; Political parties as well as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to erect posters during the official IEC voter registration week/weekends; An institution which holds sports events on a provincial, national or international level; An institution that organises festivals which receive financial support from Council.
  1. Only one poster per event may be displayed on a lamp post with the understanding that two posters may be positioned back-to-back. These posters may be positioned two weeks before an event and may only be fixed to the lamp posts by means of using rope or a similar material. No adhesive material may be used for this purpose. A maximum of 100 posters may be displayed in instances where sports events and festivals are taking place.
  2. Posters must be removed on or before the fourth weekday after the event.
  3. Wording of the poster must be factual and may not offend any person, race or belief. The municipality also retains the right to remove any poster without providing explanation, where such poster hinders the visibility of any traffic sign or if management deems it ineligible for a poster to be displayed at a specific location.
  4. Should an individual/organisation neglect to remove all posters that they have displayed, they will forfeit the deposit or a part thereof, depending on the costs involved in the removal of said posters. The Poster or the artwork must be submitted via the Tourism Department for approval within a reasonable timeframe before it is displayed or erected.
  5. The official stamp must be affixed on each of the approved posters once the applicable fees are paid.
BANNERS CAN ONLY BE UP FOR A PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS Banners can only be applied at five (5) specific municipal sites namely; York Street (from Pacaltsdorp before train bridge and on left side); Langenhoven Road, Knysna Road, Sandkraal Road (from Thembalethu in front of SANTA fence) and Unity Park in York Street.
  1. The banners sites must be pre-booked with a deposit paid. They may only be a maximum size of 3.5 m x 1m, and no political, liquor or cigarette advertisement with offensive wording on banners will be allowed.
  2. Banners may only be up for a period of two weeks and must be removed by the applicant.
HANDING OUT OF FLYERS AT TRAFFIC INTERSECTIONS The distribution of pamhlets/flyers at traffic intersections and on public roads is not permitted in terms of National Road Traffic Act 92 of 1996, Section 319 as well as the George Municipal By-Law relating to Roads and Streets.UNAUTHORIZED USE OF MUNICIPAL LOGO The public, business and organisations are further advised that the George Municipal Logo and Crest are registered as the intellectual property of the George Municipality, and as such can only be used by the George Municipality for official purposes, unless otherwise authorised by Council. No business, organisation and/or individual has the right to use the George Municipal logo in any social or printed media, and or including any marketing items such as caps, tshirts, banners, posters and flyers etc.Where a business, organisation or individual is collaborating with a municipal department on a project, prior approval must always be requested before using the municipal logo in any format. This will be granted on condition that the project and/or event is endorsed by the municipality officially, and that the product or marketing material which is produced is in good taste, not offensive and adheres to the guidelines as set out by the George Municipal Corporate Identity Manual.Contact for Posters and Banners Heloine America ● +27 44 801 9295 ● hiamerica@george.gov.za LAMP POST POSTER  AND STREET BANNER APPLICATIONS Download the application form https://www.george.gov.za/george-doc-categories/public-notices/application-forms/ *************************** Openbare kennisgewing: Plakkate en baniere, die moets en moenies om dit in George op te sit Uitgereik George Munisipaliteit, 4 November, vir onmiddellike vrystellingGeorge Munisipaliteit wil graag alle organisasies en individue wat voor die feestyd plakkate en/of baniere wil opsit, verwittig dat dit onwettig is ingevolge ons Standaardverordening rakende Strate (PK 565/1987) om plakkate in die George jurisdiksie op te sit, sonder vooraf toestemming van die Munisipaliteit. Organisasies sowel as individue moet verder kennis neem dat daar ‘n aansoekproses is, deposito’s en fooie is betaalbaar. Alle vereistes in die Verordening moet nagekom word en sal streng toegepas word.PLAKKAAT WAT ONWETTIG OPGERIG WORD, SAL VERWYDER EN VERNIETIG WORD.Toestemming vir die oprigting van plakkate op lamppale word verleen, ooreenkomstig die Regulasie insake Advertensietekens en die skending van die fasade op die voorkant van strate (PK 565/1958) en die Standaardverordening rakende strate (PK 565/1987) tot: Individue wat plakkate oprig vir munisipale en/of parlementêre verkiesings en vergaderings; politieke partye sowel as die Onafhanklike Verkiesingskommissie (OVK) om plakkate tydens die amptelike OVK-kiesersregistrasieweek/naweke op te rig; ‘n Instelling wat sportbyeenkomste op ‘n provinsiale, nasionale of internasionale vlak hou; ‘n Instelling wat feeste reël wat finansiële ondersteuning van die Raad ontvang.
  1. Slegs een plakkaat per geleentheid mag op ‘n lamppaal vertoon word met dien verstande dat twee plakkate rug-aan-rug geplaas mag word. Hierdie plakkate mag twee weke voor ‘n geleentheid geplaas word en mag slegs deur middel van tou of soortgelyke materiaal aan die lamppale vasgemaak word. Geen kleefmateriaal mag vir hierdie doel gebruik word nie. ‘n Maksimum van 100 plakkate mag vertoon word in gevalle waar sportgeleenthede en feeste plaasvind.
  2. Plakkate moet voor of op die vierde weeksdag ná die geleentheid verwyder word.
  3. Bewoording van die plakkaat moet feitelik wees en mag geen persoon, ras of oortuiging aanstoot gee nie. Die munisipaliteit behou ook die reg voor om enige plakkaat te verwyder sonder om ‘n verduideliking te verskaf, waar sodanige plakkaat die sigbaarheid van enige verkeersteken belemmer of indien die bestuur besluit dat ‘n plakkaat nie kwalifiseer om op ‘n spesifieke plek vertoon word nie.
  4. Indien ‘n individu/organisasie nalaat om alle plakkate wat hulle vertoon het, te verwyder, sal hulle die deposito of ‘n gedeelte daarvan verbeur, afhangende van die koste verbonde aan die verwydering van genoemde plakkate. Die plakkaat of die kunswerk moet by die Toerismeafdeling ingedien word vir goedkeuring binne ‘n redelike tydraamvoordat dit vertoon of opgerig word.
  5. Die amptelike stempel moet op elk van die goedgekeurde plakkate aangebring word, sodra die toepaslike fooie betaal is.
BANIERE KAN SLEGS VIR ‘N TYDPERK VAN TWEE WEKE OP WEES Baniere kan slegs by vyf (5) spesifieke munisipale terreine aangebring word, naamlik; Yorkstraat (vanaf Pacaltsdorp voor treinbrug en aan linkerkant); Langenhovenweg, Knysnaweg, Sandkraalweg (vanaf Thembalethu voor SANTA-heining) en Unity Park in Yorkstraat.
  1. Die banier terreine moet vooraf bespreek word met ‘n deposito betaalbaar. Baniere mag slegs ‘n maksimum grootte van 3,5 m x 1 m wees, en geen politieke, drank- of sigaretadvertensies met aanstootlike bewoording sal toegelaat word nie.
  2. Baniere mag slegs vir ‘n tydperk van twee weke op wees en moet deur die aansoeker verwyder word.
UITDEEL VAN PAMFLETTE BY VERKEERSKRUISINGS Die verspreiding van pamflette/ strooibiljette by verkeerskruisings en op openbare paaie word nie ingevolge die Nasionale Padverkeerswet 92 van 1996, Artikel 319 asook die George Munisipale Verordening met betrekking tot paaie en strate, toegelaat nie.ONGEMAGTIGDE GEBRUIK VAN MUNISIPALE LOGO Die publiek, sakeondernemings en organisasies word hiermee in kennis gestel dat die George-munisipaliteit se Kenteken en Wapen as die intellektuele eiendom van die George-munisipaliteit geregistreer is, en as sodanig slegs deur die George-munisipaliteit vir amptelike doeleindes gebruik kan word, tensy die Raad anders magtig.Geen besigheid, organisasie en/of individue het die reg om die George Munisipale-kenteken in sosiale of gedrukte media te gebruik nie, en/of enige bemarkingsitems soos pette, t-hemde, baniere, plakkate en strooibiljette ens.Waar ‘n onderneming, organisasie of individu met ‘n munisipale departement saamwerk aan ‘n projek, moet vooraf goedkeuring gevra word voordat die munisipale kenteken in enige formaat gebruik word. Dit word toegestaan op voorwaarde dat die munisipaliteit die projek en/of die geleentheid amptelik onderskryf, en dat die produk of bemarkingsmateriaal wat geproduseer word in goeie smaak is, nie beledigend is nie en voldoen aan die riglyne soos uiteengesit deur die George Munisipale Korporatiewe Identiteitshandleiding.Kontak vir plakkate en baniere Heloine America ● +27 44 801 9295 ● hiamerica@george.gov.zaLAMPPOS-PLAKKAAT EN STRAATBANIER AANSOEKE Laai die aansoekvorm af  https://www.george.gov.za/george-doc-categories/public-notices/application-forms/

No Fireworks Allowed in George and surrounds

George Municipality Media
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No Fireworks Allowed in George and surrounds
Issued George Mun, 4 November, for immediate release George Municipality reminds the public that due to the high fire risk, the setting off, and possession of fireworks, firecrackers, flares, paper lanterns and other such paraphernalia in the George municipal area is not allowed. Strict Fireworks Legislation George has strict firework legislation and according to the Bylaw on Community Safety, Section 58 (13) No person may discharge fireworks outside of a designated Fire Works Area. No Fire Works area has been made available in George and should someone be caught discharging a firework, a flare or lighting a Chinese lantern an immediate fine of R1000 is applicable as well as a potential charge of arson. Confiscation Notices Law Enforcement Services together with other Role players would start with the compliance campaign by doing continuous inspections at shops in all areas. Confiscation notices and Fines will be issued to non-compliant shops and confiscated fireworks will handed over to the SAPS Explosives unit for disposal. Marine Flares Setting off marine rocket flares for fun is hugely dangerous and irresponsible. NSRI is compelled to log and investigate each and every incident in case it is a real emergency which of course takes up their time and valuable resources and, more seriously, could detract from genuine flare sightings. It is also hugely dangerous for those setting off the flares, which, as they are quite costly, we suspect are also probably out of date. Marine guidance notes explain that all old flares need to be disposed of correctly. Rocket flares degrade with time and there have been cases where the rocket propellant separates from the parachute and you are left with an uncontrolled flare which then comes back down and hits the person who has fired it off. Enforcement George Municipality will firmly enforce the applicable by-laws and Law Enforcement officials will be deployed at various areas and beaches throughout the season to attend to fireworks complaints. Pets and fireworks This will hopefully assist in reducing the noise levels and allow people (and their pets) to plan for “noisy” periods thus allowing for a quieter, safer environment for all concerned. For some pets, especially dogs and cats with particularly noise-sensitive ears, the sound of fireworks can cause intense fear responses. Some pets will go to extremes to hide, others get startled and run away, and general anxiety caused by unexpected loud sounds can have long-lasting effects on animals. Other impacts of fireworks – did you know? Bees become so disorientated they don’t go back to their hives. Birds have panic attached at night causing mass deaths. Fish and other animals perish after ingesting fireworks debris. Companion animals have anxiety and panic attacks. Fireworks can also trigger Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in people. Please report the illegal setting off of fireworks to 044 801 6350 or after hours at 044 801 6300. Please report the illegal trade in fireworks to 044 801 6350 or after hours at 044 801 6300. FIRE EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6311Issued by George Municipal Communications Department Office of the Municipal Manager

New business solutions for South Africa

Herman Pienaar
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New business solutions for South Africa
Dr Arno van Niekerk, economist and senior lecturer at the Free State University, will be visiting George on the week-end of 28 October 2022. He will be launching his new book “The Inclusive Economy” at an event on Friday morning and on Saturday morning at Eagles Nest Ministries in Pacaltsdorp.If you are concerned about the financial future of South Africa, then you need to attend the event on Saturday.  

Tuinedal Somerfees

Herman Pienaar
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Tuinedal Somerfees
Somerfees Basaar28 Oktober 2022 Vanaf 17:00kwaliteit produkte: hamburgers, sosaties, pannekoek, kerrie & rys, basaarpoedings, groente, goeie koffie,’n Wit olifant tafelPrima geselskap Lewendige agtergrondmusiek 

Ignis en die Blomme

Johann van Tonder
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Ignis en die Blomme

Jy wil wat? Ek wil Hel toe ry met die Ignis. Hoekom vat jy nie die bakkie nie? Want die Ignis maak ‘n beter storie!

So het ons Ignis avonture begin. Die parmantige buksie lyk nie net soos ‘n sportnuts nie. Sy 180mm grondvryhoogte gekombineer met die kort asafstand, asook die feit dat sy wiele heel in die hoeke van die motor sit, maak dat hy redelike slegte paaie kan baasraak. Nee, dis nie ‘n 4×4 nie. Nie eers naastenby nie. Maar as jy dit stadig vat, dan kom hy oor redelike ruwe terrein. Grondpaaie is geen probleem nie. Verskeie passe, klowe en ander grondpad avonture is aangepak, en toe hoor ons van die blomme.

Boeke is oopgeslaan. Streke soos Boesmanland en Namakwaland, met dorpsname soos Nababeep, Kommagas, Kleinzee en Gharies. Wie kan dit nou weerstaan? Die plan was in werking. Ignis se volgende avontuur mik Blomme toe.

Dit was ons eerste blommetoer en so toer werk bietjie anders. Die bestemming is vaag. Daar is nie ‘n spesifieke plek waar jy die blomme kan gaan kyk nie. Jy moet gaan soek. Nie net op die regte plekke nie, maar op die regte tyd en temperatuur. Want sien, die blomme kom op daar waar die kondisies die gunstigste is. Hulle maak ook net oop as dit warm genoeg is, so jy hoef nie, soos in die wildtuin, dou voor dag in die pad te wees nie. Jy kan bietjie inlê en wag tot die blomme ook wakker word.

Die Namakwaland en Boesmanland is deurkruis met grondpaaie. En geskiedenis. Daar is dus iets interessants om elke draai. In Keimoes se hoofstraat is ‘n bakkiespomp (Persiese wiel) wat steeds werk en vandag nog lande om Keimoes besproei. In Nababeep by die myn museum staan Klara, die smalspoor-stoomlokomotief wat die kopererts na Port Nolloth vervoer het. Mens sou dink die wêreld is plat, maar beide Spektakel Pas en Wildeperd Pas slaan jou asem weg. Spektakel Pas het sy naam gekry na Simon van der Stel die spektakel-mooi uitsig gade geslaan het.

Maar die blomme, niks berei jou voor vir die eerste keer wat jy oor ‘n heuwel kom en plate en plate blomme sien nie. Dis ‘n skouspel! Wit, pienk, geel, oranje, blou en pers, met name soos Bobbejaangesiggies, Spookasem, Bergkalkoentjie, Gansogies, Konsertinabossie, tot Pietsnot! Soms is die hele wereld net een kleur en soms lyk die vlakte soos ‘n skilders-palet waarop die kleure lekker deurmekaar gekrap is. Die skouspel wat jy hier sien as die blomme oor die vlaktes baljaar laat jou in verwondering. En doer, oor die randjie verdwyn die grondpad en jy kan nie help om te wonder, as dit hier só lyk, hoe lyk dit dan anderkant dáái heuwel nie? Gelukkig vir ons, ry ons met ‘n Ignis. Met al die ry en stop en soek het die karretjie maar ‘n skamele 5,2 liter per 100km gebruik, so daar is altyd nog bietjie petrol vir dáái bult. Net om weer, as jy die Ignis se neus oor die bult steek, jou asem te laat wegslaan met wat jy voor jou sien.

Die ekonomie vandag is nie die beste nie. En petrol pryse is vir seker nie laag nie. Maar dit help nie om by die huis te sit en kla nie. Avonture soos die is steeds moontlik. Jy hoef nie met die tamaai (dors) viertrek te gaan nie, Die Ignis sal hom net so goed van die taak kwyt. Ry net bietjie stadiger. Kyk rond. Geniet die rit. Dis miskien nie die ideale motor vir ‘n gesin van vier met bagasie nie, maar in ons geval van twee was niks meer nodig nie. In ons eerste avontuur was ons Hel toe. In die laaste was ons in die hemel. Die keuse van ons volgende bestemming is letterlik so wyd soos die Heer se genade.

Die Ignis GL verkoop vir R204 900 en die GLX waarmee ons gery het verkoop vir R 236 900. Daar is ook ‘n GLX outo model vir R253 900.

Fotos: Waldo de Waal

Uncle George Party

Herman Pienaar
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Uncle George Party
UNCLE GEORGE PARTIES 2022 – Meet Santa, the Fairy and his friends at the Magical Castle. Enjoy A FUN FILLED evening out for the WHOLE family. We are open for bookings, parents to WhatsApp or sms PARTY to 071 433 6961 before 31 Oct !! The BIGGEST family event in Garden Route from 5 to 21 December – 17:00 – 21:30 @ Step-Aside Farm, George www.unclegeorgeparty.co.za

What is Uncle George Party ?

In 2021 we had 1500 people that attended . Its a fun evening where Families come together and in a picnic setting enjoy a FUN FILLED evening where Families meet Santa and a  fairy and their friends from 17h30 to 21h30 between 5 and 21 December 2022 at Step Aside Accomodation in George.  

How much does it cost?  

R100 per adult. R100 per child. Babies under 1 is FREE 

What do I get for R100 ? 

a fun filled evening over 4 hours THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY will NEVER forget , ask the over 1500 parents that attended last year . Each guest gets a ICE CREAM from Noddy and his friends and each gift receiving child gets a packet of sweets from the Fairy 

What about the presents ?

You as the parents bring your own child a present ( not bigger than a shoebox size please ) and put it in a black bag and our elves will collect it at the Gate when you arrive . Please also bring CASH for a donation we take each evening for GOOD CAUSES and also for Coffee on sale at the event etc . NO CARD FACILITIES 

Where is Step Aside? 

the entire Farm is given free of charge to UNCLE GEORGE PARTIES , they also have lovely accomodation ( chalets etc ) and wedding venues and conferences etc . Visit their website at

www.stepaside.co.za

What else can you expect? 

a magical castle and a magician and a marching band and Noddy and his friends and Ice creams and singing Carols under the stars and calling Santa and the Fairy ( and blow the lights out , theres no switches here ) 

What about supper? 

Parents bring own supper and when we call for supper then supper time will begin 

Who does these parties support? 

We give a percentage of proceeds to GARDEN ROUTE FOOD PANTRY AND FUREVER CATS NPC AND MORESON CHILDRENS HOME. so you are SUPPORTING A GOOD CAUSE 

Now I want to book..how  ? 

Just WHATSAPP or SMS the word PARTY to 071 433 6961 AS easy as that ! Remember bookings close 31 October 2022 strictly. All payments need to be made before 31 October 202

Join our Facebook Group

NSRI Open Day

George Municipality Media
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NSRI Open Day
Saturday 1 October 2022 (10am – 3pm) NSRI Rescue Base in Wilderness (next to Salina’s Restaurant)National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in Wildersness is inviting the public to their annual Open Day on Saturday, 1st October 2022. Please join us as we open our doors to showcase our life saving operations. Volunteers will be on hand to answer all your questions and give you a peak at what we do everyday. There will be fun activities for the whole family.NSRI Lifeguard team will also be hosting the final swimming assessment to join the 2022 “Zero To Hero Lifeguard Project. “Piloted in 2021, the aim of the Zero to Hero initiative is to ensure that access to training and employment as lifeguards is available to everyone, specifically disadvantaged communities who have may not previously been able to access training due to historical and socio-economic barriers. As an organisation, we strive to make a positive impact in our communities that we live and serve in. We want a better shared and safer future for everyone – this lifesaving initiative aims to achieve that,” To register for this exciting opportunity, applicants must attend the swimming assessment on Saturday 01 October 2022 at 10h00 at the NSRI Rescue Base in Wilderness. Mike Vonk Station Commander – NSRI Station 23 (Wilderness)

Garden Route District Municipality Firefighters deliver outstanding performance at TFA-SA

Herman Pienaar
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Garden Route District Municipality Firefighters deliver outstanding performance at TFA-SA
The past weekend, 16 and 17 September 2022, a lot of Garden Routers and visitors from other parts of the country, travelled to Mossel Bay to witness the first South African Toughest Fighter Alive (TFA-SA) competition since 2019. The TFA didn’t take place for a few years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.This year’s challenge marked the seventh official competition.  The event was hosted in the Garden Route at the De Bakke Beach in Mossel Bay and attracted more than 160 South African competitors.The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Firefighters performed well in the competition, with Emile Conrad winning an overall runner-up position in the competition. For the relay event, the GRDM men’s team ended almost at top in second (2nd) position. They beat 28 other teams.In the events linked to various age categories, the GRDM landed the following top three positions per age category:– Males, Age 30-34: Henrich Leslie – (2nd). He came 5th overall.– Females, Age 35-39: Bonita Conrad (2nd)-Males, Age 35-39: Emile Conrad (1st)– Males, Age 45-49: David van Niekerk (1st); and Petrus Jordaan (3rd)Read more: http://www.gardenroute.gov.za/2022/09/21/21-september-2022-media-release-garden-route-district-municipality-firefighters-deliver-outstanding-performance-at-tfa-sa/

Die dinge wat jou keer.

Johann van Tonder
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Die dinge wat jou keer.

5 km voor die Waterval-Boven tonnel, rigting Pretoria, is daar ’n plek genaamd Kruger Hof. Ek het al soveel keer daar verby gery, maar vandag het ek gestop. Voor ’n plekkie met die naam The Tickled Trout het Desmond gestaan, besig om gietwerk te doen. Ek vra hom of hy koffie het. Hy het, maar nie ’n kaartmasjien nie. Alles in die haak. Toe ek instap, sien ek pragtige skilderye en verskeie kunswerke, maar my oog vang dadelik ’n pragtige model skip. Ek vra hom uit daarna, en toe begin Desmond se storie.

Die betrokke model kom van Mauritius af toe hy daar gewerk het in die laat 80’s. Hy het ’n boot gekoop in Frankryk en daar tussen die eilande rond geseil. Hy het ook in die Karibiese eilande en die Rooi see geseil. In die Seychelles het hy gesukkel om werk te kry en is toe Mauritius toe. Daar het hy daagliks mense uitgevat en mense het hom beny vir sy sorgvrye lewe. Maar as hy vir hulle sê om dit ook te kom doen, dan kom die verskonings en die dinge wat hulle verhoed om daardie lewe te lewe. Die kar, die huis, die werk. Desmond het gelewe. Voluit.

Nou, baie jare later het hy sy klein winkeltjie wat hy deel met sy kolliehond, Jessie. Jessie wil net bal speel. Terwyl ek my tweede koppie koffie drink, stap daar ’n man in met ’n bierblikkie. Sy vrou het vir hom die verkeerde bier gekoop, en hy vra vir Desmond of hy dit mag omruil. Desmond sê vir die man dat die drankie wat hy nou vat, goedkoper is as die een wat sy vrou gekoop het, en dat hy vir hom krediet sal gee. Die boekie kom uit met die man se aankope in. Ek onthou “Die boekie”. Jy koop op skuld, en betaal as jy betaling kry.

Ek sal graag weer vir Desmond wil gaan kuier, want ek dink hy het soveel stories in hom wat nog moet uit. Maar ek moet jaag. Na my kar, my huis en my werk.

Artikel:Brian Cheyne

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