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Jaargang 3 Uitgawe 102

In hierdie uitgawe...

Vrydag, 18 Februarie 2022

Skitterende ondersteuning vir ons nooddienste

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Sepiesterre besoek Genadendal

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Words of wisdom and attitudes

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Helpende hande uit vele oorde Foto: Executive Mayor Paul Swart/Overberg FPA/FB

Support small business

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Skitterende ondersteuning vir ons nooddienste ‘n Boodskap van mnr. Paul Swart (Uitvoerende Burgermeester: Kaap Agulhas Munisipaliteit)…

Die afgelope paar dae, moes ons Overberg Distriksbrandweer sowel as die FPA, onder die leiding van Reinhardt Geldenhuys, onder uiters moeilike omstandighede ‘n vuur trotseer en blus wat nie net groot skade aan fauna en flora aangerig het nie, maar ook skade aan plase en strukture. Brandweerlede vanaf naburige munisipaliteite moes kom help om ons uitgeputte brandweerlede af te los.

Eienaars van grond in die omgewing, sowel as boere en hul plaaswerkers, het sonder om te blik of te bloos onmiddelik aan die werk gespring om die vuur te blus.

Aan almal wat ‘n hand bygesit het, wil ek namens die Kaap Agulhas Munisi-paliteit se raad, ons opregte dank betuig aan ieder en elk wat gehelp het om die vuur in die berge te blus. Julle het onbaatsugtig aan die werk gespring en ‘n amperse onmoontlike taak met ywer aangepak.

Getye/Tides Struisbaai: 15/2-21/2/2022

Aan diegene wat ondersteuning verleen het, Ivan Boshof en sy span, baie dankie dat julle ons brandweermanne bygestaan het met toebroodjies, koue water, Energade, vrugte en sjokolade. Aan die gemeenskap van Napier, ek verneem dat julle daad by die woord gevoeg het en uit alle oorde bygedra het tot die manne se welstand. Aan die besighede, julle was awesome. Words are not enough to express our gratitude for your contributions. Contributions as far as Bredasdorp. We really appreciate you.

Thank you very much. Napier has shown in this trying times that no matter our differences or our stance in life, when we collaborate, we get things done.

Foto’s: Executive Mayor Paul Swart/Overberg FPA/FB Indien jy nuus of foto’s uit jou deel van die Overberg weekliks gepubliseer wil hê in volkleur en aanlyn, kan jy ons kontak by: overdeberg2020@gmail.com *Berigte in WORD-format * Foto’s in JPEG-, BMP- of PNG-formaat 2

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Skolenuus

Na afloop van die atletiek kleurebyeenkoms by Laerskool Kleinmond is die Victrix Ludorum (Gabrielle Williams) regs en Victor Ludorum (Zandro Lategan) links, aangewys.

Foto: Laerskool Kleinmond/FB

Die matrieks van Hoërskool Bredasdorp se laaste besoekpunt aan die Featherbed Resort by die gewilde Knysna Waterfront, het op Dag 3 die kroon gespan op 'n baie suksesvolle toer. Na hul 'n bootrit, 'n pragtige staproete kuslangs en 'n middagete onder die melkhoutbome geniet het, het die BD's nog genoeg energie gehad vir saamsing. Die gidse op die veerboot was dit eens dat 2022 se matrieks 'n uitstaande groep is met goeie gees, hope entoesiasme en mooi maniere. Beslis 'n klas om te onthou!

Foto: Hoërskool Bredasdorp/FB Stuur gerus skolenuus aan ons vir gratis, volkleur en weeklikse publikasie aanlyn. overdeberg2020@gmail.com Foto’s in JPEG-format Berigte in Word-formaar OVERdeBERG

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Elza de Kock, graad 11, het die naweek aan die Western Cape Aquatics B-Champs by Generations Aquatic Centre, deelgeneem. Sy het 'n silwer medalje vir die 200 meter IM en brons medalje vir 50 meter vryslag verower. Op die foto is Elza saam met haar afrigter, Herman Oosthuizen.

Foto: Hoërskool Bredasdorp/FB

Met sport wat in volle swang terug is, is dit Hoërskool Hermanus wat baie opgewonde is oor hul nuwe span gholfspelers wat reeds teen verskeie skole die afgelope paar weke gespeel het en baie goed gevaar het. Op die foto is Attie de Vos, Rohan Swart, Maree Lourens, Julian du Toit, Bjorn Wellmann en Jurie Bezuidenhout (Kaptein).

Foto: Hoërskool Hermanus/FB 4

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Skolenuus

Met Valentynsdag het Mev. Harms se klaskamer weer net te lekker geruik van al die vars blomme. Van Hoërskool Hermanus se Interact-leerders was hard aan die werk om boksies blomme te maak wat hulle by Huis Lettie Theron gaan aflewer het.

Foto: Hoërskool Hermanus/FB

Hoërskool Swellendam se toutrekkers het deelgeneem aan die Heidelbergskou en uitstekend vertoon.

Foto’s: Hoërskool Swellendam/FB

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Skolenuus

Die Agulhas Vaardigheidskool se nuwe VRL vir 2022.

Foto: Agulhas Vaardigheidskool/FB

Hoërskool Bredasdorp se krieketspan het verlede naweek gaan meeding teen HTS Belville. Die BD's kolf eerste en teken 112 lopies in 36 boulbeurte aan. HTS Bellville teken 113/9 aan. HTS Bellville wen dus met 1 paaltjie. Juffrou Olivier het as tellinghouer opgetree.

Foto: Hoërskool Bredasdorp/FB

Die Agulhas Vaardigheidskool se twee nuwe hoofleiers vir 2022 is hoofdogter Ushandre Dreyer en hoofseun Aubrey le Roux.

Foto: Agulhas Vaardigheidskool/FB

Hoërskool Swellendam se toutrekkers het verlede naweek in die snikhete toestande op Suurbraak gaan deelneem.

Foto’s: Hoërskool Swellendam/FB

Hoërskool Bredasdorp se top 6 tennisdogters het die naweek aan die Agnes Pauw-toernooi in Moorreesburg deelgeneem. Die dogters se beste tennis is gespeel tydens hul 5-4 oorwinning teen Hugenote (Wellington).

Hul het ook goed gevaar en naelskraaps verloor teen Hermanus en Charlie Hofmeyr (Ceres) met 'n telling van 4-5.

Foto: Hoërskool Bredasdorp/FB

Stuur jou skool se nuus aan ons vir volkleur en weeklikse publikasie aanlyn. E-pos ons by: overdeberg2020@gmail.com

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Kombuiskuier

Pizzakors Bestanddele: 4 koppies koekmeel 1 pakkie kitsgis 1 teelepel sout 2 eetlepels olie 350 ml lou water Metode: Meng al die bestanddele goed saam, en knie dit om ‘n ferm deegbal te vorm. Laat die deeg rys – as dit koelerig en bewolk buite is skakel oond op 70°C en laat die deeg vir 20 – 25 minute binne-in rys. As dit mooiweer is, plaas die deeg vir 20 – 25 minute in die son. Verdeel die deeg in twee, en druk dit plat in twee diep oondpanne. Moenie die deeg te veel knie of druk nie, anders rys dit nie reg nie. Stel nou die oond op 200°C. Pak ‘n vulsel van jou keuse op die deeg, en bak vir 20 – 25 minute. Druk ‘n mes in die middel van die pizza om te toets of dit gaar is.

Moontlike vulsels: Tamatie en uiesmoor, of tamatiepasta as basis. Hoender, wors, salami, ham, spek, biltong, pepperoni, tuna. Sampioene, aspersie, olywe, artisjokke, geroosterde rooi soetrissies, uie, groenrissies, jalapenos, spinasie, kersietamaties, stampmielies, suikermielies, ertjies, avokado, pynappelstukke, swartbone, vars basiliekruid, knoffel, spruite, kappertjies. Grysneut (butternut) en bloukaas (Dis ‘n baie unieke kombinasie wat jou smaaksintuie sal laat bollemakiesie slaan). Enige of alle soorte kaas (cheddar, mozzarella, feta, parmesaan). Vir diegene wat pizza vir nagereg wil hê – i.p.v. tamatiepasta gebruik ‘n sjokolade- of karamelsmeer en kombineer dit met sjokoladeblokkies, Smarties, mini-malvalekkers, geroosterde klapper, amandelstukkies en/of piesang.

As jy ‘n lekker resep het wat jy graag met die lesers wil deel, stuur dit aan ons saam met 2 foto’s by overdeberg2020@gmail.com OVERdeBERG

Muffins-in-’n-kits Bestanddele:

1 koppie meel 1 teelepel bakpoeier ½ teelepel sout ½ koppie suiker of heuning 2 eiers ½ koppie plantolie of klapperolie of gesmelte botter 1 teelepel vanieljegeursel Metode: Verhit die oond tot 180°C. Meng al die bestanddele saam.

Skep die deeg in ‘n muffinpan, of gebruik papierkolwyntjiekoppies (dan hoef jy nie die pan na die tyd te was nie) Bak vir 17 minute.

Resepte & foto’s: RSG Resepte 7

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What a day! The Genadendal Mission Museum hosted the cast of the popular Afrikaans soap-opera Suidooster for an informal meet-and-greet on the historical square, as part of the Greyton Kia Makietie this past weekend. Thank you to all the organizers and facilitators who contributed towards the success of this weekend.

Photos: Genadendal Mission Museum/FB

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Die Bredasdorp Leeskring fokus op (ou) Afrikaanse skrywers in 2022 Letty-Ann Möller Yzelle Rabie, meer bekend as apteker, het Dinsdagoggend 15 Februarie 2022 'n besondere goeie aanbieding vir lede van Bredasdorp Leeskring oor "die grootste Suid-Afrikaanse skrywer", C.J.Langenhoven gedoen.

Gebeur daar iets in jou deel van die Overberg wat jy graag met ander wil deel? Stuur jou nuus en foto’s aan ons vir volkleur publikasie… weekliks en aanlyn.

Agter is dit v.l.n.r. Ralette du Toit, Yzelle Rabie, Rinette Pratt, Elise Giliomee, Ora Laubscher en Zabeth Human.

Voor is v.l.n.r. Alida Potgieter, Letty-Ann Möller, AnnaMarie Groenewald, Marietjie Bosman en Joey Giliomee.

Foto: Verskaf Dit is baie goed ontvang. Soos een leeskringlid dit stel, "Dankie, Yzelle… ook vir jou entoesiasme oor ons Afrikaanse skrywers en die lot van Arbeidsgenot! Jy stel 'n baie hoë standaard. Ons volg graag."

Kontak ons per e-pos by: overdeberg2020@gmail.com Alle berigte moet in WORD-formaat aangeheg word en foto’s in JPEG– of PNG–formaat.

In kort het leeskringlede by die eerste byeenkoms vanjaar gehoor dat "Sagmoedige Neelsie", soos Langhenhoven ironies na sy eie komplekse self verwys het, allesbehalwe sagmoedig was. By was kompleks, 'n kunstenaar, skerpsinnig, 'n uitstekende spreker, 'n aardse rebel, maar met sterk beginsels".

Die literatuur op die tafel was enige versamelaar van Africana se droom. Spreuke van Langenhoven het die erns én die humor van hierdie begaafde advokaat se lewenswysbeid saamgevat. Ten slotte was daar die verfrissende invalshoek van 'n nasaat van Sarah Goldblatt in 'n onlangse onthulling oor die liefdeskind van Langenhoven en Sarah. Lees gerus dan ook " Op soek na Saartjie" deur Dominique Malherbe.

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OVERBERG MARITIME HISTORY WORDS OF WISDOM AND ATTITUDES Continued from page 11 the journey. As Chamnan put it, “Not one of us could rise from the ground … in short, whatever the two Dutchmen might tell us about their habitations being but one hour’s walk away and about the desirability of getting there, not one in our company felt in himself sufficient strength or determination to undertake the walk…”.

Chamnan elaborated further by saying, “…reflecting since that time on this strange anomaly, on an effect so contrary to what one might naturally expect under the circumstances, I have been able to find neither cause for it than the one I am going to give, just as it occurred to me … as long as we were in fear of our lives, this horrible terror had such a hold upon our imaginations that it enabled us, in spite of the exhausted condition we were in, to find the strength for exceptional efforts”.

Losing a loved one leads to the loss of the will to continue living: The Captain of the Nossa Senhore de los Milagros (1686) had a son who was out of the ordinary and reported to have a most lovable nature and liked by all. Not only was he nice looking, well built and very learned for his age, but also he was always well behaved and considerate.

The boy’s love for his father was said to be noteworthy.

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When their ship was lost close to Agulhas, the Captain not only personally brought the boy to the safety of terra firma but also had his son carried by slaves until even more money could not entice them further to continue.

At that stage, the physical and dying pains felt by this first young Portuguese unintended visitor to the Overberg, was by far outweighed by the psychological pain he experienced in seeing his fatigued father trying so desperately to save him. Seeing this, the brave boy turned to the soldiers with a heart wrenching appeal to move him to a secluded place where he could more peacefully prepare to meet his Heavenly Father. In sheer agony and total heartbreak for both father and son, his wish was carried out.

The party then continued on their journey while forcing the Captain to do the same. After this, Captain Don Emanuel de Silva’s heart was shattered to the point that his inconsolable grief took its toll – he passed away after being no more than 21 days away from his son, who was his only reason for living.

Jimmy Herbert Retired lecturer: University of Stellenbosch (1977-2013) Writer & specialist in Maritime history & Archaeology More Overberg maritime history next week!

Watch this space...

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OVERBERG MARITIME HISTORY WORDS OF WISDOM AND ATTITUDES Continued from page 12 to abandon him, the latter was still boasting perfect health. However, with perfect health and all, he was unable to continue the journey on his own to legs, “because of the good life”.

Charity starts at home: After Ok-Khun Chamnan had saved a cellaret of wine (for its value as a fluid essential for survival), he realised that it would not last long if shared with all. He thus entrusted it all to a Portuguese friend of his for safekeeping and for the two of them to share.

Artist unknown (circa 1700’s)

Here Chamnan says that he quickly learned another important lesson in life, namely "how feeble in adversity are the ties of friendship and what little regard one has for the needs of others when in distress oneself”.

While all were still hopeful that water would be found, the two gladly shared with each getting a half-glass of wine per day. However, this wilful sharing only lasted for two to three days after which the Portuguese "friend" refused to keep to the agreement saying "that he would not share it even with his own father".

Adaptability is more important than strength and intellect: “It is not the strongest nor the most intelligent that survive, but rather the one that is most adaptable to change” - Charles Darwin. This quote is well illustrated in the case of the Nossa Senhore de los Milagros (1686). The third day of walking in search of safety turned out to be a sad one for the Siamese group. A second Mandarin passed away. Unlike the other survivors for five days already, these two had been unable to bring themselves to eat leaves and herbs.

This inability to adapt like the others, hastened their end.

On the eleventh day yet another Mandarin passed away.

Like the two mentioned before him, the intense distaste for the local herbs, grass, leaves and flowers prevented him from even tasting them. This too led him to succumb due to weakness and hunger.

The “cannibal” wild people: The Khoisan are believed to be the world’s oldest genetic distinguishable population of humans. In the case of the 17th and 18th century shipwrecks, most on board the ships were of the opinion that these original dwellers of the Overberg were wild barbarians and some even cannibals. This unfounded fear of these first inhabitancy areas was so overwhelming that, those on both the Zoetendaal (1673), and the Joanna (1682) rather chose to meet a watery death, completely numbed by intoxication, than face the locals.

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However, once they miraculously made it to shore, it was these locals, with man’s oldest genes (those reported to date back to “scientific Eve”) that in the end, proved to be their saviours. They not only provided the shipwreck survivors with essential and lifesaving shelter, water and food, but also informed them of the best routes to take, and often even guided and accompanied such groups all the way to the Cape.

The loss of compassion: In 1686, a Siamese survivor narrated that if a surviving straggler fell along the way, he got no more than a short prayer followed by a mumbled and embarrassed “goodbye”. For instance, on the eleventh day away from the wreck yet another Mandarin dropped down and died.

Chamnan mentions that by that time all were so busy trying to survive that these sad exposures of suffering and death just managed to “harden the hearts” to the point that often, without even a word, the party would continue moving on. As they had been following the route that the Portuguese had taken ahead of them, this group from Siam came upon many that had already been left to die.

In this manner, the latter group tells of coming accross the body of one of their half cast interpreters (born of European father and Siamese mother), who had left them and joined the leading European group, but had died on the way. Sadly, they found him kneeling on the ground while leaning with his body against a little hillock – frozen to death.

Once saved, gratefulness is followed by the dissipation of all energy:

After a month of agony and hunger and often erroneously walking in all directions of the compass, seven Siamese gentlemen were saved eventually by two Dutchmen and two Khoikhoi. When the latter brought fresh bread, cooked meat and wine into view, the totally fatigued group became uncontrollably emotional and overwhelmed with gratitude. Some cast themselves at the feet of the Dutchmen while embracing their knees and calling out “Father … Saviour … Deliverer”. Chamnan in turn knelt before them and gave each a large diamond ring.

However, once they had eaten the food and drunk the small quantity of wine they all became so extremely feeble that it was impossible for them to continue the Continued on page 10 11

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The History of the Overberg... above& below the waves OVERBERG MARITIME HISTORY WORDS OF WISDOM AND ATTITUDES A study of the historical record, covering the topic of shipwrecks along our Overberg coastline, often impresses and enlightens the student about a number of wise words and attitudes adopted during these occurrences. Here are a few examples.

Chaos versus order: When the Nossa Senhora de los Milagros stranded in 1686, the Siamese nobleman, Ok-Khun Chamnan, observed and later narrated the chaos that followed. Chamnan stated, “It would be difficult to give any idea of the terror and consternation that took possession of every mind, and were manifested by sighs, shrieks and outcries.

All were running in contrary directions, and stumbling every moment against each other. Those who had been enemies became reconciled. Some, upon their knees or prostrate on the quarter-deck, implored the assistance of the Almighty.

The outcries and confusion were such that the crew could neither hear the crash of the vessel breaking into a thousand pieces, nor the noise of the waves dashing with incredible fury against the rocks”.

waves or crushed on the rocks. They were the only ones, being only eight or so in number, that did not make it safely to shore.

The first recorded ship to sink in the Overberg, the Zoetendaal (1673), and the second, the Joanna (1682) that sank nine years later, tell a different story. In both cases the sailors were so afraid of a possible watery death or being eaten by the locals that they opted to rather plunder the liquor stores and drink themselves into a stupor. In both cases, by the time they had sobered up many hours later they found themselves, not only miraculously still alive, but also the ship, or the section of the ship that they were still on, washed to within a few metres of dry land and safety.

To wait too long and thus maybe overstay your welcome can also be extremely dangerous. The story of the Dutch ship Brederode (1785) tells of orders being given for all to abandon ship. Some hours later and by the time the pinnace (lifeboat of the time) was well on its way to shore, a number of people that had taken too long to get up to the main deck, were observed to still be aboard the ship. Sadly, the lifeboat did not turn around but carried on its journey towards Struys Bay and safety. Those left behind, twelve in number, where understandably never seen or heard of again.

Man’s greed: Although life is seen by most to be man’s most valuable asset, there are those that are easily enticed by greed to venture all for money. Most stories of Portuguese shipwreck survivors tell of noblemen being carried by slaves or others in exchange for gold and jewels. Ironically, those paid to convey were invariably not in nearly as good a state of health as the noblemen. But, as the narrator put it, the one needing transport was unable to walk “because of the good life” (being overweight and unfit).

In contrast to the above, many different reports with regard to the sinking of the British troop ship Birkenhead, make reference to the fact that the soldiers were all moved to the poop deck where they “stood in absolute silence, without even a murmur or a cry”, until the moment the ship broke up and sank. As one survivor remarked, the soldiers calmly stood back “as if ready to disembark”, while all the women and children were helped into the lifeboats with complete order and even without making a sound.

Those who were too hasty to save their lives, also lost their lives: Again in the case of the Nossa Senhore de los Milagros (1686), most of those in haste to save themselves and who had rashly leapt overboard, were engulfed in the 12

This life-sapping form of labour would occasionally be continued to the point that the hired hands were so low in energy and strength that they could barely carry their own weight. However, whenever they felt compelled to put a nobleman down the narrator tells of more gold and silver miraculously appearing out from under his clothing and being offered for further assistance. This specific story of employment came to an end at the point when those employed found themselves on the verge of death, where even their greed could not move them to continue.

Again ironically and contrary to those that had by this time used up almost all their energy and strength in a quest of greed, at the point that their employer had been placed down in the shade of a tree and they were forced Continued on page 11 OVERdeBERG