Hadeda News - 05 May 2023

How Vodacom’s Connectivity Project In Noenieput Transformed

Noenieput is a small town in the Kalahari Desert, located approximately 14 kilometers from the Namibian border and 170 kilometers from the nearest main town, Upington. Before 2017, the town had very limited network connectivity, largely relying on a small patch of dune 7 kilometers away for mobile phone reception.This posed a serious challenge for local police in providing adequate service delivery

In 2017, Vodacom partnered with the SouthAfrican Police Service to build a base station in Noenieput.The project was a success, and the town now has reliable network connectivity.This has had a transformative impact on the lives of the town’s residents.

“Digital connectivity plays an increasingly vital role in our everyday lives and has

fundamentally changed the way people exchange and acquire information.The COVID-19 pandemic further highlights that well-established digital networks and supportive remote learning policies provide flexibility and resilience to the education system. However, the pandemic also brought attention to the digital divide –the gap between those who have computers and online access and those who do not – and its resulting impact on equity.” – Unicef

For the police, the new connectivity has meant a significant improvement in response times.They are now able to respond to emergencies more quickly and effectively, which has made the community feel safer

For the residents, the new connectivity has meant a

UPINGTON

greater sense of connection with the outside world.They are now able to stay in touch with family and friends who live far away, and they have access to a wider range of information and services.

The connectivity project has also had a positive impact on the local economy. Farmers and small business owners are now able to use digital technology to improve their operations.This has created

new jobs and opportunities for the community

The Vodacom connectivity project in Noenieput is a shining example of how technology can be used to improve the lives of people in rural areas.The project has had a transformative impact on the town, and it is a model for other communities that are looking to improve their connectivity. - Ventureburn

Ma’s kla julle kinders ook oor dinorourusopgooi?/ Moms, do you also dish up dinosaur puke to your kids?

Wenke van Welbekende Gepubliseerde Skrywer - Annerle Barnard

Haas

of duif?

My tieners en hulle maats kook graag en dan dring hulle daarop aan dat ek moet proe.

absolutely puke-alicious.

Ma’s kla julle kinders ook oor dinorourusopgooi?/Moms, do you also dish up dinosaur puke to your kids?

Blog soup

Vreet of vrek

Baie in my skik met myself het ek ‘n tyd gelede ‘n baie gesonde sop gekook met hoender, seldery, wortels, en sulke dinge. My tienerseun vra toe aan tafel: “Gaan ons regtig vanaand hierdie dinosourusopgooi eet?”

“Ja-a-a-a,” beaam kleinboet. “Dit lyk gross.”

My reaksie? Dieselfde as wat my ma vir ons gesê het. “Vreet of vrek.”

Nou weet julle hoe dit eintlik in die Barnards se huis gaan. (Die kinders het al selfs uit die huis uit gepraat oor die ‘vreet of vrek’ dus kan ek dit nou maar netsowel deel.)

Die verskil tussen kremetart en wynsteensuur

Ek moet bieg dat ek nie graag (of dikwels) bak nie. So vergeet ek dat daar twee tipes kremetart is: cream of tartar en tartaric acid. Glo my, dit maak nogal ‘n verskil!

Oudste (ons tienerseun) besluit tydens fase 5 van grendeltyd/inperking om koekies te bak. Een van die bestanddele is kremetart. Ek krap in die koskas en kom op ‘n pakkie ‘tartaric acid’af (dieAfrikaans is mos wynsteensuur, maar dit het ek later eers onthou). Ewe in my noppies gee ek hom die pakkie.

“Is jy seker dis die regte goed?” Hy frons.

“Vir wat sal ek nou vir jou verkeerde bestanddele gee?” My ego voel effe broos omdat my

eie kind my so vlak kyk.

Hy bak toe die koekies. Pragtig. Dit bly sag. Ons bak dit in totaal amper 2 ure lank. Ek proe een en besluit net daar dat ons bietjie versiersuiker oor die warm koekies moet strooi, want dan lyk dit mooi.Toe verander die smaak van ‘gross’na ‘totally disgusting’, reken die seuns.

“Puke-alicious”, reken die een.

Ek kon nie eintlik stry nie.

Nee, hierdie keer was my antwoord nie ‘vreet of vrek’nie. Die koekies was oneetbaar Suur

Ek bel ‘n verlangse familielid (‘n uitstekende kok, terloops) en vra of ek die koekies op ‘n manier kan red. Hy giggel hoflik. Aanvanklik. “Ek is jammer,” kom dit later proesend en toe verloor hy alle hoflikheid. “Ek wou nie vir jou lag nie, maar ek het nog nooit gehoor dat iemand die twee verwar nie.”

Grendelkoek

Ek en Gade besluit om ‘n fase 5grendelkoek te bak. Gade maak ewe fluks die versiersuiker aan. Wit versiersuiker

Probleem: die versiersuiker pryk goudgeel op ‘n vanillakoek.

Ek is nie eintlik gepla nie, maar Gade wil wit versiersuiker hê en nie ‘n gifappeltjie-konkoksie nie.

Ek bel bogenoemde familielid en verduidelik my probleem met die versiersuiker. En toe hoor ek vir die eerste keer in my lewe dat Wooden Spoon ‘n wit margarien maak. Bietjie laat vir die koek, maar soos my pa sou sê: “Algaande leer mens.”

‘n Wyle gelede koop Oudste en sy maat deeg — vir duifpastei, sê hulle. (Maar hy noem mý sop dinosourusopgooi?) Nee, daar is geen manier dat ek aan duifpastei sal proe nie. Ek het wel al by ‘n braai ‘n stukkie haas (vleishaas) geproe. Dit was eintlik heel lekker, maar ek dink een keer was voldoende, dankie. My verbeelding is baie aktief en ek dink in prentjies. Hierdie prentjie is iets wat ek sukkel om te sluk.

Ek het oor my ma se kos gekla, nou kla my kinders so wrintie oor myne. Die verskil is, my ma het alles in soutwater gekook: hoender, maalvleis, skaaptjops, die werke. (Sy eet nie vleis nie en het dus geen idee gehad hoe drillerige, opgekookte hoender proe nie. En die skaaptjops? My pa het amper ‘n toeval gehad.)

Kla julle kinders ook oor julle kos?

Blog biscuits

Moms, do you also dish up dinosaur puke to your kids?

I cooked a healthy soup: chicken, celery, carrots. Everything wholesome. Very impressed with myself I dished up supper. “What are we having for supper? Really? Dinosaur puke?” our teen asked.

Whatever!

During phase 5 of lockdown, Teen decided that he wanted to bake biscuits. However, I got my ingredients mixed up and gave him tartaric acid instead of cream of tartar. How that is possible? Don’t ask! (In my defence, I hardly ever bake.)

The biscuits looked divine.And that’s it.They remained soft –even after two hours in the oven. When I took the first bite, I suggested that we sprinkle a bit of icing sugar over to make it look pretty and professional (read: to camouflage the taste). My ‘oh so subtle’children reckoned it went from ‘gross to totally disgusting’. My feelings? Of course they were concerned about my feelings.The youngest reckoned the biscuits were

I called a relative who is really good at baking. He did his best at being tactful and then started coughing — and then was in stitches. “I’m so sorry. I don’t mean to laugh at you but this is the first time ever.”Yeah, well, I couldn’t really blame him. I was in stitches myself.You should have seen the boys’faces.They were so looking forward to these biscuits.

During phase 5 of lockdown, my hubby decided that he was going to bake a cake.The caked looked great. He mixed the icing according to my instructions (which I got from a cook book). White icing on a vanilla cake. The only problem was that the icing was sunflower yellow. It really didn’t bother me much but hubby wanted white icing. So I called my kind relative again. And he then revealed Wooden Spoon white margarine to me. One definitely can teach an old dog new tricks!

My sons and their friends are trigger happy outdoors kids. However, they need to eat whatever they shoot. So they bought dough for pigeon pie/dove pie/whatever pie. (It flew and had wings. Feathers too.) Nope, the dough is still in the freezer. I think chicken pie definitely is preferable.

Once, at a braai, I tasted a small portion of rabbit. My sons really took a liking in rabbit and would eat it frequently if they could but I am a picture person and this picture doesn’t do it for me, I must admit. It really doesn’t go down all that well.

The irony is: I complained about my mom’s cooking and now my kids complain about mine.The difference is, my mom really wasn’t a good cook. Can’t be that bad, you reckon? So how does cooked chicken sound to you?And by cooked, I mean in salt water only Yep, I thought that would get you thinking. Wait, wait! Did I mention the time when she cooked lamb chops? Also in salt water. My dad almost got a heart attack. (In her defence, she doesn’t eat meat and has no idea what it tastes like.)

Do your kids also complain about your cooking?

Manie’s Bistro

Resep Danksy Manie’s Bistro - Master Chef

Herderspastei Bobotie:

1 kg beesmaalvleis

1 dik sny bruinbrood

250 ml melk

2 uie, gehalveer en in skywe gesny

Bestanddele: 30 ml sonneblomolie

15 ml matige

kerriepoeier

10 ml borrie

15 ml fyn appelkooskonfyt

1 eier, geklits

30 ml witwynasyn

lourierblare

sout en varsgemaalde swartpeper na smaak

Aartappel bolaag

5 groot aartappels, geskil en in skywe gesny

30 ml botter

100 ml warm melk

sout en varsgemaalde swartpeper na smaak

Eier bolaag

3 eiers 375 ml melk

sout en varsgemaalde swartpeper na smaak

Metode:

Verhit jou oond tot 180 °C. Kook aartappels vir bolaag tot sag en geur met sout. Week die bruinbrood tot sag in die melk. Maak die brood fyn met ’n vurk. Verhit die olie in ’n pan en braai uie tot sag en effens bruin. Voeg die kerriepoeier, borrie en appelkoos-konfyt by en braai liggies vir sowat

2 minute. Haal die pan van die hitte af. Meng die maalvleis en brood in ’n mengbak. Voeg die uiemengsel en die

res van die bestanddele behalwe die lourierblare by Plaas terug en bak verder vir nog 25 minute. Bron: Facebook / Lekker Resepte vir die Jongergeslag! / Renate Brown

Meng goed en geur met sout en varsgemaalde swartpeper. Plaas die mengsel in ’n oondbak van sowat 30 x 25 cm en druk die lourierblare bo-op. Sit in die warm oond en bak vir 15 minute. Klits intussen die eiers en melk saam en geur met sout en swartpeper. Haal die bobotie uit die oond en pak die aartappels in lagies bo-op. Gooi die eiermengsel oor

1. Op Pad na Grysberg is ‘n epiese fantasie. In watter genre skryf jy gewoonlik?

Ek skryf gewoonlik spanningsfiksie, maar ek het ook al toekomsfiksie geskryf.

2. Noem asb. ‘n paar ander titels van boeke/draaiboeke wat jy geskryf het. Moederland, Die 13de kaart, My naam is Legio, Doodsengel, 25Trappe na Benede.

3. Hoe het jy by die projek betrokke geraak?

Ek is per e-pos genader en ek het dadelik besluit om deel te neem. Dis so 'n interessante projek.

4. Watter hoofstuk het jy geskryf en tot watter genre behoort jou hoofstuk?

Ek het Hoofstuk 9 geskryf en dit behoort tot die spannings genre.

5. Het jy die hoofstukke voor

joune vooraf gelees?

Ja, ek het dit sorgvuldig gelees om seker te maak my hoofstuk pas in by dit wat vooraf geskryf is.

6. Het jy vooraf geweet hoe die laaste hoofstukke in die roman lyk of was dit vir jou ‘n verrassing?

Ek het 'n vae idee gehad, maar die inhoud van die hoofstukke was vir my 'n verrassing.

7. Hoe het dit vir jou gevoel om deel van ‘n projek te wees, eerder as om iets op jou eie aan te pak?

Dit was 'n opwindende projek - lekker om te weet almal werk saam om een uitstekende storie te skryf.

8. Sal jy dit oorweeg om in die toekoms iets soortgelyks saam met ander skrywers aanpak?

Ek sal beslis, ja. Dit was pret!

9. Hoe het jy dit gevind om saam met skrywers van ander genres te werk?

Dit was lekker om te weet die ander genres word deur meesters in daardie genre aangepak.

22

verskillende genres, het hul tyd en talente ingespan om saam aan ’n enkele roman te skryf.

Madelein Rust, Dibi Breytenbach,Annerle Barnard, Sidney Gilroy, Elsa Winckler, Hannes Barnard, Stefan Enslin, Duane Aslett, Jan Vermeulen, Henk Breytenbach, Didi Potgieter, Brian Fredericks, Ferdie Swanepoel, Erla Diedericks, René van Zyl, Christelle Van Rooyen Wessels, Irna van Zyl en Kerneels Breytenbach is van die skrywers wat saamgeskryf het.

van die land se voorste skrywers in

Madelein Rust

Orion Reaches R2.5bn Funding Milestone

Key elements of junior metals explorer and mining aspirant Orion Minerals’overarching strategic funding package have culminated in the securing of total funding of almost R2.5-billion – more than double the company’s current R900-million market capitalisation.

“Our ability to raise this capital clearly reflects the fact that Orion is now poised for a rapid transformation from explorer to developer and, ultimately, operating mining company of a premium portfolio of copper-focussed base metal mines,” Orion MD and CEO Errol Smart said on April 26 upon the release of the company’s latest activity report for the quarter ended March 31.

He said that combined predevelopment funding being provided by mining investment firmTriple Flag and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) would allow the company to progress its development plans both for the flagship Prieska copper/zinc project and the Okiep copper project, both in the Northern Cape.

“We have taken our first base metals project, [Prieska], closed over 30 years ago, to its current status as a fullypermitted, ready-to-mine project with a long life-ofmine. We have also expanded our business to include other base metal hubs within the Northern Cape,” Smart said.

During the quarter, Orion received firm commitments for a two-tranche share placement to raise about A$13-million.Tranche one has been completed at A$10.66-million, while tranche two is still subject to shareholder approval.

The placement also offered participants four free attaching options for each share issued under the placement, exercisable at 20c a share and expiring on November 30.The total value of the equity funding

package, assuming all placement options are ultimately exercised, is about A$73-million.

In addition, privately-owned SouthAfrican mining group CloverAlloys has become a cornerstone investor in Orion by subscribing for about A$6.7-million of shares. CloverAlloys has much experience in the development of modular processing plants, which Orion believes will be of significant strategic value as the company brings its key base metal projects into production.

This move will also see CloverAlloys CEO Philip Kotze become a nonexecutive director on Orion’s board.

Smart said the capital raise puts Orion in a strong position to access the previously announced $87million funding package from Triple Flag and a R250million funding facility secured from the IDC.

The senior secured convertible loan facility from the IDC will be used to fund early works at Prieska.

Smart said the IDC convertible loan, together with theTriple Flag funding package, would underpin Orion’s early production strategy at Prieska, including the completion of a feasibility study for early mining and the start of mine dewatering.

These developments have led Smart to believe that Orion is now in a strong position to become a rapidly growing supplier of futurefacing metals to global markets, at a time when demand for such metals is expected to surge because of global efforts to decarbonise.

Orion’s 2023 outlook for base metals hinges on the interplay between a slowing global economic outlook and the green energy transition.

Smart noted that commodities such as copper

had a subdued start to the year, as tightening central bank monetary policies, the strengthening US dollar and weak demand from China resulted in price volatility

Copper prices opened the year at $8 386/t and started an early ascent to reach a seven-month high of $9 436/t by January 20.At the end of the first quarter, the price closed out at $8 933/t.

Precious metals authority and retailer of bullion products

Kitco has previously pointed out that copper has become a long-term critical metal, as the world upgrades its energy infrastructure and transitions to green renewable energy As the primary metal needed for electrification, copper is essential to all energy transition plans.

“Longer-term, we believe copper demand will improve amid the accelerated move into renewables and electric vehicles (Evs). In EVs, copper is a key component used in the electric motor, batteries and wiring, as well as in charging stations. Copper has no substitutes for its use in EVs, wind and solar energy, and its appeal to investors as a key green metal will support higher prices over the next few years,” multinational financial services company ING analysts recently said.

Analysts from private banking company S&PGlobal agreed, stating that they expect global demand for copper to double by 2035. Demand growth will, however, be suppressed this year, causing the refined market surplus to widen.

“We expect the supply response to lag, however, on a thinning pipeline caused by dwindling exploration budgets and a dearth of significant discoveries,” S&Psaid.

Orion notes that zinc prices had trailed copper’s trajectory, scaling to $3 509/t at the end of January after starting the year at $3 025/t. Last year, zinc experienced its highest price volatility in a decade, with consulting firm Wood Mackenzie analysts expecting heightened volatility to remain a feature throughout the year

Ratings agency Moody’s Investor Service recently noted that while zinc prices will be supported by tight supply, low inventories and higher energy costs will displace high-cost producers.

Regarding nickel, Moody’s predicted a surplus of nickel this year but noted that incremental growth in demand from the EV market would create supply deficits.

While nickel prices rallied late last year, prices declined in the first quarter of this year Starting the year at $32 100/t, nickel declined to close out the first quarter at $23 050/t, driven by expectations of supply tightness easing off.

In this regard, data from the intergovernmental organisation the International Nickel Study Group showed that a 22% year-on-year increase in global nickel production occurred in January. - Mining Weekly

Orion MD and CEO Errol Smart. Photo by Creamer Media

Keimoes Author Releases New Book And Talk Show

Daniel Strauss, author of the best-seller,The Billionaire Mindset, will be releasing a brand-new book, which will be available online and in all good bookstores nationwide.

The new book,The Billionaire Career, tells the story of Dan, an employee who lives from paycheque to paycheque.

He dreams about starting his own business and being his own boss but faces various challenges. How will he start a successful business without any money?

One day, Dan is confronted with a big decision that changes his whole future… It is important to note that his latest offering reads like a novel, and differs completely from his first book, The Billionaire Mindset, and is therefore not a sequel.

InThe Billionaire Career, Strauss shares useful, practical advice that all entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs will benefit from through Dan’s journey The story contains valuable information on how to create wealth, how to learn more about yourself, give back, and build sustainable business systems.

Readers will easily relate to Dan, especially entrepreneurs or those in the early stages of owning their own businesses or who are still dreaming of starting their own companies.

Strauss successfully communicates complex business terminology such as shareholder value, risk vocabulary, and mentoring through Dan’s story,

making it easy to understand by painting a beautiful picture that brings perspective and clarity and pushes you out of your comfort zone.

As in his previous book, the business term “Think above the line”, which Strauss created, comes into play once again.This time, it becomes even more clear what it means to “think above the line”, and you easily identify with Dan as an entrepreneur

Daniel also incorporates the natural beauty of SouthAfrica into the story and writes about seven beautiful places, the seven “weekend wonders”, that Dan must visit, which will inspire readers to look up these destinations and add them to their own bucket lists!

Strauss is a successful entrepreneur who invests in small- and medium-sized businesses to help them grow faster. He is the Strauss in the investment company, Stocks & Strauss and grew up in a small SouthAfrican town called Keimoes on the banks of the Orange River, about 40km from Upington and about 800 km from CapeTown.

He sold newspapers to earn an extra income when he was young. He promised himself that one day he would give back and use his knowledge to teach people how to open their minds and increase their chances of success.

Strauss believes that we are the strong people who create good times and that we have authority over our circumstances. If there are enough entrepreneurs who

come together and think at the same level, it can make a huge difference, he believes. It can help grow the economy, reduce unemployment, and build a better SouthAfrica for everyone.

He talks to influential businesspeople like Christo Wiese, Dr Chris van der Merwe and Jo-Ann Strauss about this and the life lessons they’ve learned in his newTV talk show, Meer as net ’n loopbaan, which will be airing on VIAfrom May 8.

The book is published by Tafelberg, an imprint of NB Publishers (www.nb.co.za) and will be available in all bookstores and online from May 5.

About the author

Daniel Strauss (41) is an entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He is both a macrooptimist and micro-realist. Passionate about wealth creation, he finds great joy in unlocking the full potential of people from different walks of life,

especially those building businesses.

He holds a B.Eng. (Industrial Engineering) and MBAfrom the University of Stellenbosch and as an MBAgraduate, Daniel enjoys guest lecturing to university students. Over the years, he has also attended various courses in places like China, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, which he describes as invaluable. It is also no secret that he considers mentorship an extremely important part of each aspect of a person’s life. Daniel matriculated at High School Keimoes where he was head boy and dux learner. He was a keen rugby player and athlete at university. He excelled at 110m hurdles in school and attended the South African championships. He currently lives in the Cape Winelands with his wife, Rolene, and their two sons.

You can follow him on Instagram @officialdanielstrauss, Facebook, LinkedIn or visit his website. - Southern Courier

Animal Welfare Society Upington

Baie Besig Met Dieresorg & Hulp

Dit was 'n besige naweek vir ons. Dankie Shaune vir almal se invat veearts toe!

Tans word opAWS koste behandel:

op n waglys en word gehelp soos ons fondse beskikbaar het.

2. Pitbull met bosluiskoors

3Yorkie met dermontsteking

4. Katjie met brandwonde

5.Toypom met bytwonde (dankie Istel wat ons laat weet het dat die enetjie hulp nodig het)

en dan Stokkies wat weekliks ingaan vir sy kankerbehandeling

1. Jack Russel wat raakgery is Ons kry baie versoeke vir hulp en ook vir sterilisasies. Ons probeer sover moontlik die noodgevalle wat inkom help. Sterilisasies kom egter

Ons maak staat op donasies van die gemeenskap om te kan voortgaan om hierdie diere te help met noodsaaklike mediese koste

U kan help deur:

* Donasie op ons veeartsrekening by Upington

Veeartskliniek (rek nr 34222)

* Donasie op ons bankrekening

* Donasie van kos, bosluisprodukte of bruikbare halsbande

* Ondersteun ons fondsinsamelings

Sluitingdatum: 31 Mei 2023

Standard Of Northern Cape Archery Rising

Northern Cape archers competed, both locally, as well as virtually, against the Western Cape and did exceptionally well. Dawid de Greeff, administrative officer ofAfrica GenesisArchery Northern Cape (AGA-NC) says it was the first officialAGA-SA3D competition presented by the Northern Cape.

“It added an exciting element to the monthly or bi-monthly competition for our archers,” he says.

During the event on 15April, archers competed in interschool, inter-club, and interprovincial bull’s-eye and 3D competitions.

Schalk van der Merwe, in the adult archery group (AAG) achieved three perfect 50s in the bull’s-eye and 3D competition altogether, and scored a whopping 290/300 in the bull’s eye competition – the highest scoreAGA-NC has seen since its start last year.

Atotal of 15 Northern Cape archers improved their personal best scores in the bull’s-eye competition, and another three

achieved perfect 50s on the 10 m distance.They areAnnemarie de Greeff, Mario Oosthuizen, andTerence van Eck.

The event also saw two students of the Sol Plaatje University (SPU) participate for the first time, and performed exceptionally well. Jaimee Lee Taai of SPU achieved 267/300 in her first-ever bull’s-eye competition, which put her in fourth place in the adult women’s category

Van der Merwe, also theAGANC coordinator, commented that it is exciting to see the standard of archery improving at every event.

In the local competition, the results are as follows:

Primary school boys

bull’s-eye: Hennie Victor 1st (269/300); Jaco Niemand 2nd (261/300); and Otniel van Wyk

3rd (252/300).

3D: Hennie 1st (258/300); Jaco 2nd (243/300); and Dylan O’Connell 3rd (235/300).

Primary school girls

bull’s-eye:Aaliyah Paulsen 1st (245/300); Elrize de Greeff 2nd

(243/300); and Lilly Heuwel 3rd (242/300).

3D: Elrize 1st (252/300); Lilly 2nd (236/300); and Mariam Richards 3rd (211/300).

High school boys

bull’s-eye:Terence van Eck 1st (281/300); and Wietsche Hoek 2nd (260/300).

3D:Terence 1st (271/300); and Wietsche 2nd (225/300).

High school girls

bull’s-eye:Tru Shaw 1st (274/300);TyraAdams 2nd (267/300; and Naadirah Cader 3rd (254/300).

3D:Tru 1st (260/300); Chloe Obaray 2nd (231/300); and Haajirah Hunter 3rd (157/300).

Adult archery group (AAG) men

bull’s-eye: Schalk van der Merwe 1st (290/300); Philip Kotze 2nd (282/300); and Dawid de Greeff 3rd (278/300).

3D: Van der Merwe 1st (287/300); De Greeff 2nd (269/300); and Henk van der Schyff 3rd (263/300).

AAG women

bull’s-eye: Odette Victor 1st

(275/300); Karin Bester 2nd (272/300); andAnnemarie de Greeff 3rd (276/300).

3D: De Greeff 1st (272/300; Victor 2nd (265/300); and Andrieka Stroebel 3rd (233/300). In the virtual competition against the Western Cape, the Northern Cape won in eight categories: Bull’s-eye competition

primary school boys: Hennie Victor (AdventureArchery Club Northern Cape –AAC NC, Primary School Eureka): silver; high school boys:Terence van Eck (AAC NC, High School Adamantia): bronze;

AAG men: Philip Kotze (AAC NC): silver

3D competition

primary school girls: Elrize de Greeff (AAC NC, home schooler): gold; primary school boys: Hennie Victor (AAC NC, Eureka): gold; High school boys:Terence van Eck (AAC NC,Adamantia): bronze;

AAG women:Annemarie de Greeff gold; and Odette Victor: bronze (bothAAC NC).news24

Terence van Eck. Photo: Dawid de Greeff

Jaimee Lee Taai (second from the right), a student of the Sol Plaatje University (SPU), achieved 267/300 in her first-ever bull’seye competition, which put her in fourth place in the adult women’s category.

Photo: Dawid de Greeff

The Legend Of Victorian-era Kalahari Outlaw, Scotty Smith

n the century-and-some-years since his death from Spanish Flu, people are still trying to deconstruct the life of Scotty Smith.

Was he just a mad horse thief, acting out his Scottish Border ancestry? Was he a true Robin Hood, blessed by lonely widows and cursed by rich men from Vryburg to Hotazel and beyond? Was he a ruthless Bushman hunter and a criminal to be caught and hanged?The jury’s still out. Suffice it to say, however, that Scotty Smith was a very naughty boy

One time, a detective cornered Scotty, arrested him and cuffed him. Within hours, he had slipped his handcuffs, overpowered the lawman, shackled him and dropped him off at the Kimberley jail. He was such a good con artist that the cops in Kimberley believed the hapless detective to be Scotty Smith himself.

So, in the autumn of 2012, we went up to Scotty Smith country, that quadrant market by Upington, Vanzylsrus, Vryburg and Kimberley The drive north from Cradock to Upington would take sane people a day. We spent nearly a week getting there.

The biggest wind pump

At the little verandah cafe next to the Pick n Pay Centre in a booming Upington, we met up with our travelling coconspirators, Dirk and Sonja van Rensburg. When I initially proposed a Kalahari jaunt, Dirk suggested we spend some time at Boomskraap, his family farm in the centre of old Scotty’s neighbourhood.

“Milk spilt in the cooler bag and it’s gone sour.”

“Turf the cooler bag.”

“No, it cost good money. I’ll clean it up.”

The Kalahari horse thief

However, my wife’s packrat instincts were nothing compared to the fellow who lived on the land we were now passing. His farmstead was like a scrap metal yard, a Hotel California for chickens in the middle of nowhere.According to our spies in the Jimny in front of us, the farmer in question was quite famous for riding a bakkie to death, parking it under the nearest tree, and getting a lift into town, where he would buy a brand new vehicle, and so on. His many chickens have the finest coops in the Kalahari.

Scotty Smith was quite good at flying the coop himself, normally on the back of another man’s horse.The story goes that when he was working for the British in theAnglo-Boer War, Lord Kitchener sent for Scotty to brief him on a spying mission in the Free State. He had just returned from patrol, and his horse was exhausted. Kitchener vaguely told Scotty to “take one of mine” and go off. He didn’t need a second invitation, and helped himself to the Big Man’s best horse, tethered right outside his tent, completely kitted out with fancy saddle, bridle and all.

His Free State foray was successful and Lord Kitchener never brought up the subject of his beloved horse again. Scotty took it as a reward for work well done.

The Dune Bush Hotel

pump creaking outside.And then Dirk told us all about his childhood here.

“I grew up on this farm, in a reed house with a hot corrugated iron roof and a floor made of red clay, cattle dung and termite mounds. We called it the Duinebos (dune bush) Hotel.

“For six months, while the borehole teams were looking for water on the farm, whatever water we drank had to be brought in by a Ford bakkie over non-existent roads.At night, I would wash in the water the borehole men had used to temper the drill bit of the bore.”

Water parties

When they finally hit water at a depth of 300 metres, they celebrated in true Kalahari style. All the neighbouring farmers gathered on Boomskraap, and there was much drinking of strong liquor Then the boring machine was started up, and they would all dance in the blue diesel smoke and drink of the new water

arrived at Scotty’s home (wherever he resided at the time) he would tell them he was just about to hold a ‘staff house service’, which he conducted in a Bushman language. So as the cops stood by unwittingly, he would instruct his workers to hide all the contraband on the property And then he would bless them – in a Bushman tongue.

Read in Daily Maverick: Catch the wind –The meditative magic of a Karoo windpump

ARobbing Hood?

Dirk’s dad passed away last year, and Charlotte has been running Boomskraap since then. Awoman working a hard Kalahari farm on her own faces no end of challenges.

“OK, what’s the address?”

“Follow us.”

“We’ve got the biggest wind pump in SouthAfrica,” he said. I was hooked. We headed out in convoy on the Olifantsfontein road.At a sign that simply said “D3323”, we turned north on dirt. Bob Marley was on the old tape deck singing about his government house in TrenchTown, sociable weaver nests on telephone posts were flying past the window, the veld was all ash-blonde with waving Bushman grass and there was a distinct honk coming from the back seat. My wife swivelled around and investigated.

Our Isuzu was suddenly in soft red Kalahari sand, and the wheels spun madly until I remembered the diff lock.And there, in the distance, we saw the famous wind pump. Its vanes were so big they had to be knitted together with wire. It stood still, nose bound to double tail on which the words ‘Southern’and ‘Cross’were painted.The Boomskraap wind pump. Wow

Dirk’s stepmother, Charlotte, emerged from an enormous tiled stoep area and within minutes we were in a cool room away from the murderous heat outside, sipping on cordials. That night, as we supped on a delicious meal of cold meats and salad, we could hear the wind

“Eventually, the guys would throw each other in the puddles. They called it ‘testing the water’.”

Then they installed the giant 25foot (eight-metre diameter) Southern Cross, because it needed to do a giant job of bringing water up from a great depth.That wind pump was their guardian and saviour until piped water arrived.

And although the water was brackish, Dirk grew to love it. This is a thing that happens with natives of the Kalahari and Karoo.They get so addicted to their brackish water that when you serve them coffee made with normal tap water, they drink it with a pinch of salt.

Which is also what you need for a good Scotty Smith story They say that when constables

By all accounts, a guy like Scotty Smith would have been a godsend to a lonely and hardpressed Kalahari widow. One time, a widow sheltered Scotty during theAnglo-Boer War and kept mum when a patrol passed. As a reward, Scotty gave her his own horse, five pounds and a diamond. He left her farm on foot, quite sure he would be riding another man’s mount by sunset.

At dawn the next morning, I woke with the Kalahari crosswinds howling outside, and the giant wind pump had taken on a noisy life of its own.

“I lived my youth by the droning of that wind pump,” said Dirk at breakfast. “Sometimes the wind would make it sound like an aeroplane propeller.”

The Boomskraap cruiser

We had a lazy day on the farm and gathered in the late afternoon for a photo session on some nearby dunes.The light was better than a holiday by the sea. We had gathered some true Kalahari props for a styled-

Sunset through the window of the everlasting Boomskraap Cruiser. Image: Chris Marais

continues

from pg

up shoot: ostrich eggs, porcupine quills, weaver’s nest, camelthorn pods and an old tortoise shell.

The wind came up, the shoot was a bust so we drank in the sunset and a couple of bottles of red wine instead.And then, when the light was just right, we used the grand old farm Land Cruiser, battered and beautiful, as our sundown photo prop.

The next morning, as we prepared to leave Boomskraap,

we asked Charlotte what she was going to do with the rest of her day

“I have to gather up 300 Dorpers and take them to market,” she said. We saluted her and drove to Upington, because the next part of the mission was to find Scotty Smith’s grave.

On the way back, we realised we had been here before, many years ago. Boomskraap borders on the exclusiveTswalu Kalahari Private Reserve, Nicky and Strilli

Oppenheimer’s fantastic spread. Jules had ridden horses that could have been the great-greatgreat-grandchildren of Scotty Smith’s string of stolen mounts.

Here lies Scotty

Eventually, I pitched at the main cemetery and got myself totally lost. Where, I asked the smoking gardener, was the grave of Scotty Smith?There, he said, languidly pointing at a lone stone.The robber’s grave looked quite smart and ordinary. I was expecting something a little more

Gothic, but I guess the legendary giant wind pump of Boomskraap was the real treasure of the trip.

This is an extract from Karoo Roads I – Tales from South Africa’s Heartland, by Chris Marais and Julienne du Toit.Daily Maverick

Scotty Smith’s rather plain gravesite in the Upington cemetery Image: Chris Marais

The Boomskraap wind pump at the end of day. Image: Chris Marais Kalahari sunset – a golden moment. Image: Chris Marais

The Boomskraap Cruiser, ready for a day’s farming. Image: Chris Marais

Overlanders in the Kalahari checking the undercarriage of their Jimny Image: Chris Marais

Kom Maak ‘n Draai By Die Poort Beton

Stalletjie by die Landbou Expo

Dear Rosedale and Surrounding Local Communities,

On behalf of Koda, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who supported our Freedom Weekend Bazaar. It was an incredible event that wouldn't have been possible without each and every one of you.

Firstly, we want to thank all the performing artists who graced our stage and entertained us with their talent.Your energy and passion made the event a success.

We want to express our appreciation to the kitchen team who prepared delicious meals and refreshments throughout the weekend.Your hard work is greatly appreciated.

UPINGTON

To our dedicated volunteers, we would like to say a big thank you for your tireless efforts.Your selflessness and commitment to making the event a memorable one did not go unnoticed.

Aspecial appreciation goes out to KODA Multipurpose Community Development Association volunteers, the steering committee, Dawid Kruiper Municipality, Radio Riverside 98.2 FM, MasakhaneArts Center, Kasie Culture, Kingmen Logistics, Jeudfra Funeral services, Hadeda News Live ,All our followers and supporters, the youth, Key of David International Ministries, and p.t.y.o projects.The event would not have been possible without your support.

Furthermore, we are thrilled to announce that the #FreedomWeekendBazaar was a great success, and we feel proud of the impact it had on our community. We couldn't have achieved this without everyone's support and contributions.

Thank you once again for supporting Koda in our efforts to create unforgettable experiences for our community. We look forward to future events, and the opportunity to work with you all again.

Sincerely,

Koda

Mr FJ Booysen, our Treasurer. FJ Booysen Treasurer

Accredited Training Centre

Birding

This month we turn our attention to one of the smaller birds that is commonly found in the dry thornveld savannah of the Northern Cape and other parts of southernAfrica.

The scaly-feathered weaver Sporopipes squamifrons (or scaly-feathered finch, as it was previously called) is only 10 cm to 11 cm in length and weighs around 10 g to 12 g.

It has a characteristic black and white scaled forehead, a pinkish bill and two malar stripes running down its throat.These black stripes give the bird its aptly derivedAfrikaans name: “baardmannetjie”.

Males and females look identical and they usually occur in small groups of up to 10 to 12 birds. Baardmannetjies can be frequently seen sitting on fences along gravel roads, but they also occur in gardens and farmyards.

It is a near-endemic species to SouthernAfrica, meaning that

its range only marginally extends beyond the borders of SouthernAfrica into southwesternAngola.They are one of the top five most common species in the Mokala National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP).

Their diet consists primarily of grass seeds, but they will also indulge in insects, including termites. Like most seedeaters, these birds will nourish their chicks with an insect-rich diet for rapid development before they leave the nest.

They are often seen actively feeding on the ground in small groups, hopping around energetically and taking flight as soon as they are disturbed. They usually do not fly too far before settling on a fence or small thorn tree.

The species builds one of the most commonly seen nests in the dry thornveld landscapes of the Northern Cape, a hollow ball of dry grass stems with a spoutlike entrance tunnel on the side, about 8 cm in length.Asingle nest is constructed in small

thorn bushes and adjacent bushes have multiple nests belonging to other pairs.They lay, on average, four pale-greenish eggs and the chicks take up to 18 days to grow before leaving the nest.

So, if you are driving around the Northern Cape thornveld and come across a group of small, brownish birds feeding on the side of the road or see a flock of small birds fly into a small thornbush, they will more than

likely be “baardmannetjies”.

– Dr Doug Harebottle, chair of the Gariep Bird Club

Contact the club at birdclubgariep@gmail.com.Noordkaap Bulletin

Column: ‘baardmannetjie’ A Beauty

Eerste vir STAAL

Prime offers two products: one is marketed as a “hydration” drink, the other as an “energy” drink. Image: drinkprime.com

Prime offers two products: one is marketed as a “hydration” drink, the other as an “energy” drink.

The latter comes with a warning it’s not suitable for people under 18 years of age, or pregnant or lactating women.

But both drinks may pose problems to under-18s and women who are pregnant or lactating.

What’s in Prime Energy?

Prime Energy contains 200 milligrams of caffeine per can, which is equivalent to about two to three instant coffees.

Despite its name, Prime Energy drink contains only about 40 kilojoules from carbohydrates, which is one of our body’s key sources of energy

The “energy” in Prime Energy refers to the caffeine, which makes you feel more alert and lessens the perceived effort involved in any work you do.

Caffeine does provide performance benefits for athletes aged over 18. However, given the high quantities in the drinks, there may be better ways to get caffeine in more appropriate doses.

Caffeine is a concern during pregnancy

Health guidelines recommend limiting caffeine intake during pregnancy and while breastfeeding to below 200mg a

Budding “little Del Boy” makes tasty profit by re-selling EMPTY bottles of Prime energy drink

Theoretically, this drink alone, with 200mg of caffeine per can, should be fine.

But practically, diets include many other sources of caffeine including coffee, tea, chocolate and cola drinks.

Consumption of these alongside the energy drinks would increase the intake for pregnant women above this safety threshold.

Why is caffeine a problem for fetuses and babies?

Caffeine can cross the placenta into the growing fetus’s bloodstream. Fetuses can’t break down the caffeine, so it remains in their circulation.

As the pregnancy proceeds, the mother becomes slower at clearing caffeine from her metabolism.This potentially exposes the fetus to caffeine for longer

Studies have shown a high intake of caffeine is associated with growth restriction, reduced birth weight, preterm birth and stillbirth. Some experts argue there is no safe limit of caffeine intake during pregnancy

With breastfeeding, caffeine passes into the breast milk.

It remains in the baby’s circulation, as they’re unable to

metabolise it. Evidence shows that caffeine may make babies more colicky, irritable and less likely to sleep.

What about in kids?

Children also have a limited ability to break down caffeine. Combined with their lighter body mass, a caffeine-based drink will have a more pronounced effect.

As such, safe caffeine levels are determined on a weight basis: 3mg per kg of body weight per day

For example, children aged 9 to 13 years, who weigh no more than 40kg, should have no more than 120mg of caffeine per day

Those aged between 14 to 17 years who weigh less than 60kg should have no more than 180mg per day

Studies have shown higher intakes increase the risk of heart problems, such as heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath and fainting.

This may reflect underlying heart rhythm problems, which have in some case ended up with children and teenagers presenting to hospital emergency departments.

What about Prime Hydrate, which doesn’t contain caffeine?

This drink contains branch chain amino acids, or BCAA, which the supplements industry promotes as helping gain muscle bulk. There are three BCAA: valine, leucine and isoleucine.

However, there is no evidence they provide any benefit.As such, theAustralian Institute of Sport has concluded they are not an effective supplement for athletes.

Supplements in general are not recommended in children or pregnant women as they have not been tested in these groups.

There is also concern about the impact of BCAAand how they may impact the growth of the fetus.Ascientific animal study has shown altered patterns of growth with fetal mice.

No human studies have examined BCAAand fetal growth, so that research needs to be done before recommendations can be given to pregnant women.

They should avoid these ingredients in the absence of evidence.

Similarly, there has been no testing of these supplements in children under 18 years, so there is no guarantee of their safety

What does the science say about BCAA?

Scientists have been investigating how BCAAaffect adults.

Circulating BCAAcan affect carbohydrate metabolism in the muscle and therefore can change insulin sensitivity

BCAAare elevated in adults with diet-induced obesity and are associated with increased future risk of type 2 diabetes, even when scientists account for other baseline risk factors.

U.K.Aldi Stores Selling PRIME drink by Logan Paul Causes Frantic Crowds

Adults with obesity and insulin resistance have been found to have higher levels of BCAA.

Emerging evidence suggests children and adolescents with obesity also have higher levels of BCAA, which may predict future insulin resistance, a risk factor for diabetes.

Performance-enhancing sport supplements are not recommended for children and adolescents, as they are still developing physically as well as refining and improving their sporting skills. However we don’t yet know if these elevated levels of BCAAin the blood are because people are overweight or obese, or if it plays a role in them becoming overweight or obese.

The bottom line is we have clear evidence that caffeine is problematic for children and women who are pregnant and lactating.And there is emerging evidence BCAAmay be also problematic.The Conversation

Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Sutherland Early Winter Crystals

Northern Cape Onion Crops Better Value

The onion growing season has been hampered by power cuts interfering with irrigation (not everyone has the capital to run their pivots from generators) and with spraying programmes, complicated by heavy rains and loaded down by escalating chemical, energy and transport costs.

Currently 10kg bags of large onions are selling for R130 to R140 (6.9 euros) at this market, and prices aren’t subsiding because onion supply, particularly of large sizes, remains limited.

The Northern Cape’s onion season is at its end and in

Limpopo the new crop, planted over February and March, will be coming in during June and July

“Until the end of last year, we regarded R80 [3.95 euros] for a 10kg bag as the ceiling. I never thought we’d see R100 for a 10kg bag but at one point prices have even reached R150 or R160 [7.9 euros],” he says.

Kom Skou SaamMet Ons in Upington