LIMPOPO MIRROR
2 December 2011 19
By Andries van Zyl
Legendary educationist and animal lover, Aunt Betty Noakes (98) passes away One of the Soutpansberg’s oldest residents and a legend in her own right, Miss Betty Muriel Noakes, passed away at the age of 98 on Sunday. Betty was born on 29 August 1913 in Portsmouth, England, and her parents moved to South Africa in 1917 where her father, Cyril, started his South African career as a photographer. During the war, Cyril enrolled for military service and rose to the rank of naval commander, based in Simonstown. In recognition of the contribution he made as commander, he received the honorary MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) from the Queen herself. There is a photograph of this festive occasion, with Betty walking hand in hand with her parents at the entrance to Buckingham Palace. The Noakes family moved to Louis Trichardt in 1924. Here, the young Betty attended primary school and enrolled for senior school at Roedean Girls High School in Johannesburg where she excelled at academics and horse riding. She also completed her tertiary education in Johannesburg, where she was a keen participant in literary, art and cultural activities. Betty then taught English and history for many years on the East Rand before retiring to her beautiful farm that extended from Louis Trichardt town up to the crest of the Soutpansberg. Her red-roofed house, Stonehenge, stands as a proud
landmark upon the mountain platform above the golf course. The house itself was declared a National Heritage Site. Education and literature remained Betty’s passion throughout her life. Upon retirement, she soon established Thanganezwa Farm School on the crest of the Soutpansberg where her farm borders Songozwi Village. Not only has the school provided basic education for decades, but pupils will always remember the annual highlights, such as the bus excursions to memorable places such as Thulamela and Mapungubwe, and the Christmas celebrations, where Betty was not only the sponsor, but also guest of honour. “We thank Betty’s friend, Mr Mahane, who has served as principal for many years, for his dedication to the school,” write Betty’s friends in a tribute to her. Betty inspired and encouraged many people during her life. Her pupils will recall school plays and readings from, among others, Shakespeare and Dickens, in which fields of literature she was a recognised specialist. Betty also encouraged her friends and supported the people who lived around her. “We also want to thank them, and especially Mashudu Mudau, Robert, Samuel and Thakelani Kkodobo and Johannes Jantjie for their caring,” the tribute further states. Betty sponsored the children
of the families who lived on her farm in schooling and tertiary education. The family of Jim Chitango should be mentioned in particular. Jim accompanied Betty on her daily walk to school every day of her primary school career. Jim’s granddaughter, Mashudu Mudau, should also be particularly thanked for loyally caring for Betty for many many years, right to the end. Betty also provided for the schooling and post-school education of Mashudu’s children and Mpho has, accordingly, found employment, Tshikidze is making good progress at university, and Given and Thabelo are passing their grades with success. The children of Johannes Khodobo, whom many people will remember as Betty’s chauffeur, were also sponsored by Betty. His son Robert accompanied Betty on her regular visits to town and always delivered mealie meal and vegetables to Betty’s Thanganezwa School in the truck that Betty bought for the school. Johannes’s other children also received Betty’s financial support and encouragement for their schooling and studies. Lindiwe is at university, while Samuel and Thakelani are both nurses and have found employment through Betty’s support; Lawrence works at the SPCA, Edwin is at technicon, Victor is in training as a panelbeater, Tshanei is a hairdresser, and Langelani
By Andries van Zyl
Ridgeway College students visit newspaper As part of Ridgeway College’s annual “Work Week Placement Programme”, two students, Kalpesh Dave and Andani Mabunda, spent a couple of days at the office of the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in Louis Trichardt. The programme, aimed at Grade 10 students who have completed their IGCSE exams, helps students to get a feel for what it would be like to work in a career or in a field of expertise a student may be thinking of pursuing. More often than not, students go running the other way because their experience was “not what they thought it would be”. According to Kalpesh and Andani, their experience at the newspaper was, in a word, “dif-
ferent”. “Working at the newspaper was a little out of the norm for me as I usually work in a salon,” said Kalpesh, explaining that he wanted to get a feel of how the newspaper is laid out on computer before it is printed. “I thought it would be amazing to see how it was brought to life by nothing but a computer, text and a couple of pixelated images … It was amazing, no doubt, but I obviously couldn’t help with this as it requires training to learn how to do and, after all, I was only there for a week.” On their first day, Kalpesh and Andani spent some time in the lay-out department to see how advertisements are compiled. They saw how Solly’s Discount World’s advert was done and
gave some of their input, as well as what they thought looked good in terms of colour and which picture was best for certain products. At about 15:45, they were told to write an article with a 40-minute deadline. “Needless to say, our article didn’t make it into the newspaper, but I think we both learned how to work in high-pressure situations. This experience will help us in future” said Andani. “I learned a thing or two in my week here at the newspaper; one of the most important things being to proofread articles. I felt very chuffed with myself when I found mistakes in our very own honours evening captions. After all, we are all human in the end and all make mistakes. I also found the printing press where the newspapers are printed to be a very elaborate set-up. It was just a pity that one of the machines was down. It looked like a real sight to see,” said Kalpesh. Kalpesh and Andani realised that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are extremely high-pressure days for the staff because those are the printing days, so people are trying to get their work done. “We found waking up to be at work by 07:30 extremely difficult as it was basically school all As part of Ridgeway College’s annual “Work Week Placement over again,” said both Programme” for students, Kalpesh Dave (left) and Andani Mabunda Kalpesh and Andani. (right), spent a couple of days at the office of Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Both thanked the newsMirror. paper for hosting them.
is still at school. These families Queen Elizabeth, and the flight contribution and generosity,” express their sincere gratitude for on the Concorde from New they added and invited all to the finances Betty provided for York,” her friends write in the join them in remembering and celebrating Betty’s life at the Anthe education of their children. tribute. “The friends who aren’t men- glican Church in Munnik Street, Many will remember Betty as a loyal, supportive, encouraging tioned by name know that Betty Louis Trichardt on Thursday, 1 and fun friend with a great sense appreciated their love and at- December, from 10:00. Refreshof humour and a love for animals. tention. We thank you for your ments will be served. They will remember her caring, honesty and generous heartedness, and the generous and untiring way in which she supported initiatives such as the SPCA. She was one of the founding members of the Louis Trichardt SPCA in 1986. It is therefore not surprising that she has left the bulk of her estate to animal charities. “Most of all, Betty will be remember as a spirited and adventurous friend. It was this spirit that also took her too many local places that she loved and to remote parts of the world. We will remember the stories she related upon the return from her annual visit to Stratford-Upon-Avon where she attended the Shakespeare festival, and her stories about the Trans-Siberian train trip from St Petersberg to Moscow, and about cruises on ships such A legend in her own right, Miss Betty Noakes, who passed away on as the Queen Mary and Sunday at the age of 98.
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