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Feb 2011
CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT...This is a short report to explain two issues which seem to be causing some confusion.
By now most Marina residents will be aware of the intiative by some members to have the Marina declared a special ratings area (SRA) This would have the effect of providing security for the whole Marina, and the cost would be borne by every property owner. This cost would be based on the municipal valuation of their property, and would be payable with their monthly rates account.
While individual members of the executive committee of the Association are of the opinion that the SRA could be advantageous to residents of the marina, particularly those residents who at present have little or no security, there are some complex issues involved: the co-existence of the Association and SRA, which must be run as a section 21 company, being one of them.
We wish to record that the SRA initiative is being managed by individual residents in their private capacity and is not an initiative of the Marina da Gama Association.
I have been asked several times recently about the arbitration process which took place in December. A small number of homeowners, who over many years have consistently refused to maintain their properties, were put forward for arbitration, in an effort to find a better, less expensive way to enforce standards, and as an alternative to taking them to court.
The outcome of the first arbitration hearings has been that one resident completed the necessary maintenance before the hearing took place, and two residents signed agreements to undertake the maintenance required over an agreed length of time. A resident who failed to appear for the hearing will be served with a notice to appear again shortly. Fines can be given by the arbitrators for noncompliance, and if this proves to be an effective way of enforcing standards we will use the process again.
Toni Joubert
PORTFOLIO: STREET REPSWith Thanks!
To all the ladies and gentlemen serving as street and area reps, thank you for all the hard work you put in delivering news items to our doors. You are most appreciated! From the Marina association.
Elaine Meyer
PORTFOLIO: SECURITYThe good news is, that the people that live around the Oudevlei road cul-de-sac have collected enough money to make the north wall adjacent to the road reserve safe. With a little bit of luck it will all be done early February.
The break-ins continue especially in the Marina Moorings area. However the people who live there have had enough of it and they got together on 28th January to make a plan that will solve the problem. Rest assured that we will keep you up to date on the progress made.
PAINTING OF OUTER BOUNDRY WALL
You might have noticed that we have started painting the outer wall and we hope to have the job done during the second half of February. We hope that the end result will please everybody.
Paul Van Heesch
PORTFOLIO: PARKS AND GARDENSFocus on Uitsig.
This is a dry and windy time in the Peninsula, and in the Marina in particular, but despite the harsh weather there are some good things happening in the open spaces in Uitsig. In a far corner of the Moorings, Sue and Jack Harwood, assisted by some local residents, are turning a public area that had been used as a dumping ground for building and garden refuse into a garden. Mountains of rubbish have been removed, a spiky hedge has been planted along the canal to discourage intruders, and until recently, they were watering with buckets lowered into the canal. There is no council water point available, but a generous resident has come to their aid and is providing water via a hose over the wall.
I was beginning to despair of preventing the park at Uitsig from deteriorating into a desert: the Council's budget for Parks and Gardens has been severely cut and they have not yet been able to provide the basic materials for a sprinkler system. However Bob Craske, aided by Paul van Heesch, has come to the rescue and has organized a temporary watering system to keep the grass alive until a permanent system can be installed. It is surprising how quickly the grass begins to revive, but it needs to be watered regularly and it is a huge area for one person to manage alone. Volunteers are urgently needed to help with the watering - the more people that help the easier the task becomes. If you have an hour to spare once a week, please contact Bob Craske or me through the office.
In Baalen Close a sprinkler system has been laid by Bob and local residents and in Brabant Close a resident has started a garden on a dry and neglected part of the public open space. The park at Marina Moorings is watered regularly by a resident, Caroline Zutphen, and she too needs help from time to time.
When people are prepared to get involved in caring for their surroundings there is so much that can be done, so a big thank you to those who are already helping, and a plea to more residents to offer their help
Toni Joubert
PARK ISLAND'S STICKERSThose who are observant may have noticed a new yellow and black sticker with a bicycle on it, displayed on houses in Park Island. These stickers identify the houses currently paying for the guard at the entrance to Park Island. During the holiday period an appeal was made to all current contributors to give an additional once off payment to cover an extra guard for the bridge between Park Island and Uitsig. Thank you to those who contributed so generously. We were ALL able to enjoy the holiday knowing that extra care was being taken with our security measures.
Out of a total number of about 222 houses there are 163 contributing monthly payments of R115 by debit order, EFT or cheque. The existing number of contributors will not be able to continue to subsidize the non-contributors indefinitely.
Help us to increase the numbers by calling Greg Meierhans on 0829900694 or by e-mailing him on greg@meierhans.co.za for a debit order form.
If there are financial constraints even a partial donation would help to increase the pool of contributors and enable us to keep future costs down.
Special thanks to Greg Meierhans who continues to monitor payments, send out emails with information and give up so much of his family time to keep the scheme up and running. He has done this so efficiently for about 3,5 years.
In 2011 let's see increased sightings of yellow and black stickers on homes in Park Island. It will benefit all of us.
Lynne Abrahamson
GOING ROUND THE BEND - SNAKES AND PLANESLet me confess right away, the title is a deliberate fib. The plurals are wrong, and no I don't mean something old-era and nasty. It's just that there was one snake, and many planes, but the title is sort of irresistible.
And, in my defense, the snake was pretty darn big.
We don't get snakes of that size back here in our Marina, so it was a bit of a shock. Ours are the smaller and sneaky sort, like puff adders who, like me and the rest of my fellow citizens, like to lie in the sun and resent any trespassers. Between you and me, if there was a stand-off between me and a puff adder on Park Island, a High Noon at the OK Reserve, I'd be the cloud of dust disappearing on the distant horizon.
You don't get into a Cool Hand Luke stare-down with a puff adder. Or a Cape Cobra and I don't mean the sports team. Or maybe them too.
But this snake was different. It took me by surprise as, from a distance, I couldn't figure out what it was. It lay on the ground like a large, inflatable slug, gleaming pale yellow in the sun, rather like a giant pool noodle that's been abandoned.
We were at Jungle Island, Miami, home of many glorious birds, animals and Miss Daisy, the albino Burmese python weighing in at 200lbs (that's just under 100kg or the size of a smallish rugby player). I was visiting my family in the USA for Thanksgiving, that special time of the year when everyone eats too much turkey without the compensation of Christmas gifts. Being Florida, it was hot, unlike the rest of the country which was digging itself out of snow and wishing they were in Florida.
So there we were, wandering around in the pretty spectacular foliage that a hot, wet climate prone to hurricanes produces, when we came upon a lawn with the yellow thingy lying on it. What's that, I asked, breaking into a trot towards it? When I turned round my family were heading rapidly in the opposite direction. Not really: it was just the look on their faces that implied that was their prefered course of action.
Miss Daisy, thankfully (it was Thanksgiving after all), had clearly ingested more than just a turkey. From her lethargic behaviour she appeared to have eaten an entire barnyard. Or maybe a paying guest.
Whatever, when the park rangers offer to take our photo holding Miss Daisy, I just couldn't resist. Though I didn't know two things at that point. One, was how heavy she is. The other is that our Big Strong Male said he'd do it on condition that I held the head. Thanks, Paul.
So there you have it, Miss Daisy and the four of us struggling to hold her up. Her head started to move at me just as the picture was taken, so that's why I'm bending sideways…my grin is deceptive, it was about to turn into a shriek. She was smooth, obliging and extremely heavy, and I'm really glad we don't have any like her in the Marina or I'd never sleep at night.
As for the planes, you don't want to know. Just think of three days in constant transit from Florida to Atlanta (delayed), Amsterdam (missed plane), Frankfurt (snowed in), Amsterdam again (more snow), Dubai (weirdly empty at 4am) and know that I'm not angling to get on another plane in a hurry. Suddenly driving with Miss Daisy seems like a better alternative.
Beverley Roos Muller
PROFILING MARINA RESIDENT - MRS DOROTHEE DELAHUNTA Marina resident for more than 27 years, the late Dennis Delahunt and his surviving widow, Dorothee, bought their home here in Eastlake Island in June 1984. Dennis, an advocate at the time, developed our first constitution along with the chairman at the time, Richard Ireland. Dorothee, pictured here with her beautiful dogs, was born in Germany and arrived in South Africa in January 1970. You may have seen them on their regular Park Island walks. She now spends her time as a Lifestyle Coach and specialises in Health and Balanced Nutrition, amongst many other interests. Currently she is offering a Weight Loss Challenge to anyone trying to lose a few kilos. It is a fun-filled 12 weeks of personal coaching with weigh-ins, measuring, weekly prizes, cash prizes and plenty more! You are most welcome to call Dorothee on 021 788 8857 or 072 949 0380
BACK TO THE FUTUREDUCKS - February 1985
At the rate they are breeding, more superduck is going to request membership of the Eastlake Association any time now and they will all be reading what is said in the newsletters. Before this happens, think about the possibilities of discouraging them from our gardens where they trample and peck at the plants, leaving quantities of green slime and white feathers. It is whispered that one resident has roast duck every Sunday, then during the week goes to a petshop to buy a replacement duckling. Good thinking but maybe we should eat free for six months then check this population.
EASTLAKE VILLAGE CENTREPets & Aquatics - Now open!!
Stockists of hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, marine, tropical, goldfish and all accessories. Call 021 709 0478
Eastlake Laundry Services
Under new management! Please call Annette for all your laundry needs on 076 152 9867.
Do feel free to discuss any additional services with regard to your laundry that you may require. Perhaps you require that we remove your curtains, launder them and re-hang, just let us know! We express our sincere appreciation to all our valued clients for your continued support.
Shabby Chic Hair
Open 1 April 2011. Mon - Fri: 8.30 to 5.30 and Sat: 8 - 3pm. Call Roz on 074 145 4656 to book an appointment. Enjoy a pensioner's Monday at 10% discount
Black chocolate confectionery
Discover the pleasure of fresh, home baked crunchies, lemon meringue pies, delicious banana loaves, cheese cakes, double chocolate brownies and more!
Leigh Fredericks on 079 782 2054 or leighblackchocolate@live.co.za
24 hour notice preferred
Sink Master
food waste disposers
Get rid of your household food waste instantly...
No more bad odours; no more bacteria producing left over's; reduce the requency of refuse collections; eliminate the food source of pets & insects; essential part of the home recycling program; safe, clean, cheap and efficient; easy to use; energy sufficient; S.A.B.S approved.
Also have water filters and spares!
Phone Krissie in the Marina at 082 321 0142.
Plum batherooms
We at Plum bathrooms offer you a wide range of plumbing supplies SABS approved, such as geysers, pipes, sanitaryware, and ECT...
If we don't have it in our store, we will find it for you.
We would like to thank the community of Marina da Gama for the valued support. Our aim is to provide good quality service to all our valued customers.
We are running a competition, spend R100 or more and stand a chance to win a brand new Geberit toilet cistern valued over R2000. Draw takes place 4 March 2011. Don't miss out!
For further information, don't hesitate to call.
Plum bathrooms on 021 788 4905
Uppercrust
7 days per week: For delicious Pizza and Pasta, a selection of evening meals and platters. Visit us at our cosy restaurant or simply phone ahead for a take-away meal, Tel 021 788 7765. Flat screen TV for news and sporting events. Hosting Frank Opperman on 5 March for a one-man show.
See main article (on the left) on this event. Join our mailing list, send your details to uppercrustem@gmail.com and receive our menu each week
Certified BodyTalk Practitioner
This revolutionary healthcare system is now available in Muizenberg and surroundings. It can literally address everything from acne to phobias, and all conditions in-between.
To find out more, contact Jacques Smit at 082 922 9043 or visit www.MuizenbergBodyTalk.com
The Red Geranium
Plant Nursery and Garden Centre. Come and visit Sidney for delightful new ideas for your gardens and sidewalks!
MARINA MINI MARTAs a kid I couldn't wait to turn 8 ½. That was my Dad's minimum age requirement for me to become the official Saturday morning cool-drink seller at his general dealer store.
Thick snow on the Boland Mountains and icy winds blowing through the town couldn't dampen my spirit. Being employed on a commission basis, I knew that it was going to be a tough job selling cool-drinks in these conditions. During the course of the five hour morning shift my Dad reprimanded me several time with a stern warning, "Do not force the customers to buy the cool-drinks. WAIT for them to come to you." My commission at the end of the shift was a shilling (10 cents), enough for a matinee movie and lots and lots of sweets.
For the next 10 years I worked every Saturday morning and Christmas holidays in the store. After completing my army service I managed the store for 4 months while my Dad recuperated from an operation.
The last 5 years I have worked on IT projects from home (I am an Eastlake Islander) and during this time the SPAR opened its doors. I really enjoyed walking to the SPAR, with my dog, to buy my daily provisions or when I just didn't feel like starting the car.
After the SPAR closed its doors I started toying with the idea of opening a "country general dealer". I was not in favour of a franchise because I felt it was too restrictive and that a personalized shop would better serve our unique area with its unique mix of people. For over 2 years I had to stand in line while various franchise groups conducted their investigations as to whether it would be a viable option or not. Not a single franchise was interested. Eventually the landlord gave me the go ahead. Unfortunately the condition of the 2 shops (especially the floors) was not up to my expected standards. I eventually cleaned and made the alterations to the 2 shops area on behalf of the landlord. Unfortunately, all these unexpected delays prevented me from opening the doors before Christmas.
Our credo is to provide quality products and services at reasonable prices that will be viable to both the customer and the Minimart.
The "normal" daily products expected from a village store are available, i.e. bread, milk, newspapers, cool drinks, sweets, airtime, electricity, etc.
Selective items of groceries, pet food, toiletries, medicine, stationery, etc., are in stock.
Feedback from the customers, especially the Marina residents, enabled us to increase our product range from 193 items to just over 309. items..
I envisage that we will keep more diverse products in future. For instance: a bit of fiberglass and resin for those annoying little holes in our boats, a couple of screws perhaps, white exterior paint (?) maybe, fishing tackle (although I am a greenie) and so on.
I am slowly (cost consideration) introducing technology into the Minimart. A printer/fax will be installed to enable the customer to request printing, copying, scanning, faxing, etc.
An ADSL line and at least one other computer will be installed to enable Internet access for the customers. The customer will also be able to plug his/her own personal computer into the network for Internet access.
The Marina Minimart & Upper Crust
After the SPAR closed Elaine Meyer opened Upper Crust (remember how small it was back then). I was impressed by Elaine's enthusiasm, positivity, organizational skills and her endless energy. I also felt that the markets and events she organized were very clever business- wise and importantly brought life to the centre, at last.
Elaine and I decided over time (Elaine, thanks for keeping my spirits up over the years) that although we are totally autonomist business entities, we can achieve much more with synergy. Thanks for all your help Elaine. I hope we'll keep this up for years to come.
In Conclusion: I am so determined to make The Marina Minimart successful for all of us, I have decided to make the Marina da Gama my whole world.
Oratio Gaigher – 021 788 2292
themarinaminimart@yahoo.com
FRANK OPPERMANWriter chokes on his Klippies and cokes August 19, 2010
By Diane de Beer
As Wally Koekemoer steps on to the stage, all the telling accoutrements, including a glaring pair of white shoes in place, the president of the Suidelikes rugby club places his brandy and coke on the podium in readiness for the speech to come at the annual prize giving.
Playwright Dana Snyman and actor Frank Opperman are on to a good thing after their Pottie Potgieter season (now on TV). They make the perfect team to tell the story of this man whose life on the surface seems right up there, but is on a downward fast-track.
He's rarin' to go as he tackles his audience, paying special attention to a particular female journalist who has been giving him a hard time in print.
The writing pinpoints the man, but it is especially the subtlety of Opperman's pitch-perfect performance that brings colour and poignancy to Wally as he steadily unravels on stage, helped considerably by the alcohol that flows rather too freely.
Opperman massages the text gently with nuanced gestures and sleight of hand, with speech patterns that deteriorate almost imperceptibly, as the playwright and performer establish the image of a man who takes shape in bold colours with every sentence he utters.
It is hysterically funny because of the accuracy of this everyman and again it is the restraint of Opperman's performance that prevents Koekemoer from slipping into caricature. It's one of the toughest things for an actor to pull off - playing drunk. But he manages the most delicate disintegration.
Guided by De Villiers, Opperman's performance is truly sublime.
MALLARDS - WHY THEY SHOULD GOINTRODUCTION
The Mallard duck is originally from the northern hemisphere. It mates easily with our indigenous ducks, in particular the yellow-billed duck (Anas undulata), and their crossbreed off-spring, are fertile. As a result, the survival of the yellow-billed duck, a protected species, is threatened.
Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) are listed as an alien invader species in the South African National Scientific Programs Report No 113 (1985). This is a Red Data book, a series of books that list both endangered species, and species that are declared invaders. Likewise alien tree species, such as Port Jackson (Acacia saligna) and Rooikrans (Acacia cyclops) are listed in Report No 85 (1984). These alien tree species pose a threat to biodiversity in South Africa and are being actively removed. For comparison, mallard ducks can be considered the Port Jackson's of the avian world.
CHARACTERISTICS
Mallard ducks have been domesticated and can occur in a wide variety of colours, including white, black, green and brown.
The following are examples of variations seen in The Marina. The are all classified as Mallards.
Some have a metallic green head and a white ring around the neck and in the males the tail feathers curl upwards.
Non-breeding plumage of males resembles that of the females, brown with darker spots and stripes.
Others can be pure white with an orange beak and legs (Dutch quacker/ domestic duck)
Or they may be black with white patches, black beak and legs
All these colour forms can interbreed with our yellow-billed ducks.
STATISTICS
Over 20 of these mallard-yellowbilled hybrids have been found in Marina da Gama , with other recent sightings from Rondevlei Nature Reserve (1997), the West Coast National Park (Ryan 1998) and Westlake Wetlands (Gibbs 2003).
The recently completed Atlas of Southern African Birds has this to say about the presence of Mallards in the Southern African Region "A localized feral resident in the southwestern Cape Province and on the Witwatersrand" (Cohen 1997).
Since the early 1980's numbers have increased in some areas. (Cohen 1997) e.g. the numbers at Zandvlei increased from a few individuals in the early 1980's to at least 250 in the early 1990's (pers. Obs.) Its hybridization with other Anas species has been documented in many parts of the world and in southern Africa it hybridizes with the yellow-billed duck (Cohen 1997).
Hybrids have been observed in the South-western and Eastern Cape Province. On the Witwatersrand the increase in the numbers of Mallards is a cause for concern, as hybridization may pose a long-term conservation threat to the genetic integrity of the yellow-billed duck" (Cohen 1997).
The fact that Mallard duck is an aggressive breeder, hybridizing with numerous other waterfowl species worldwide, is well documented.
LEGAL OBLIGATIONS
In terms of the Nature conservation Ordinance (No 19 of 1974, amended 2000), it is an offence, without a permit, to keep, transport, release, sell or donate Mallard ducks in any part of the Western Province.
Please inform your nearest nature conservation office of unauthorized keeping of Mallards or of Mallards occurring in nature.
For more information or to record sightings please contact:
CapeNature
Tel: (021) 957 5900
Rondevlei Nature Reserve
Tel: (021) 706 2404
Zandvlei Nature Reserve
Tel: (021) 701 7542
THREATS POSED BY MALLARDS AND OTHER FERAL WATERFOWL IN CAPE TOWNThere is a growing concern in South Africa about dangers posed to indigenous biota by introduced 'alien' species. Such threats include competitive displacement, hydrological interference and hybridization. The latter problem is potentially severe when hybrid offspring are fertile.
Relative to plant species, there have been few introductions of alien bird species into South Africa. The three most successful alien birds, House Sparrow, European Starling and Indian Myna have almost certainly displaced some indigenous species locally, but have not hybridized with any indigenous species.
The Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is a popular ornamental waterfowl, being attractive, tame and easy to feed and breed.
Feral populations of Mallards and their hybrids are established in several parts of South Africa, including the Cape Flats and surrounds, the Knysna area, the eastern Orange Free State and the Witwatersrand.
Mallards are completely dominant to, and known to hybridize with many other waterfowl species. The question has been raised on several occasions, as to whether more vigorous control should take place to minimize potentially damaging effects on indigenous waterfowl, either through displacement or genetic 'pollution'.
Ecological Background
Mallards inhabit a wide range of aquatic habitats. They are tolerant of man and associated disturbance and are common, urban birds in many parts of their native range. Concomitant with their wide habitat tolerance, they also have a wide diet spectrum.
Mallards have a well-earned reputation for promiscuity. They have hybridized with at least 43 other waterfowl species, and crossings with 30 of these (70%) are known to produce fertile offspring. Among wild South African species, crosses between Mallards and Yellow-billed Ducks and Egyptian Geese produce fertile offspring.
The Marina da Gama Situation
Surveys of waterfowl were made at the following water bodies: Rietvlei, Zekoevlei, Zandvlei, Rondevlei, Pricess and Little Princess Vleis, Dreyersdal Farm dam and Strandfontein Sewage works.
During a survey of the waterways at Marina da Gama, I counted 26 'white farmyard ducks' (known locally as 'Dutch Quackers'); 27 birds (18 males, 9 females) which appeared to be pure, or nearly pure Mallards; and 35 birds (24 males, 9 females, 2 of unknown sex) which were Mallard x Dutch Quacker hybrids (total = 88 birds). The only indigenous ducks recorded in the area were one pair of Cape Teals. Several of the feral ducks were paired (presumably prior to breeding). One pair was accompanied by 13 recently hatched ducklings.
On the basis of these observations it can be concluded with fair certainty that a) most, if not all, of the 'Mallards' in the Cape Town area are themselves hybrids, b) these hybrids are reproductively active and c) the ducks concentrate in areas where they are fed regularly (almost invariably in waterside residential areas).
The lack of indigenous ducks in the southern and eastern sections of Zandvlei may be due in part to the presence of Mallards, but also undoubtedly reflects a) the high level of disturbance and b) the destruction of natural riparian vegetation.
The ecological threats posed by Mallards, other than those of species displacement and hybridization, are difficult to quantify because of the opportunistic feeding and wide habitat tolerance of Mallards. At present, much of their food is provided by man, & is thus obtained from outside the vlei ecosystem. As a result, their droppings will constitute a net of nutrient input to the water body. The input of soluble inorganic salts, such as NO2, NO3 and PO4, will contribute towards eutrophication of the system. An immediate effect of such input will stimulate the algal production in the channels at Marina da Gama where the birds spend most of their time. These effects may lead to increased populations of herbivorous fishes and birds (specifically Red knobbed Coots).
The existing feral population in Cape Town could be controlled relatively easily and quickly because the birds aggregate at feeding stations. However, such control measures are likely to lead to considerable resistance from 'duck-loving' residents. In view of this, a partial control may be preferable, in which only those birds exhibiting full or partial Mallard plumage are removed. The object would be to leave only pure white 'Dutch Quackers'. It is likely that some offspring of these white ducks will have Mallard plumage characteristics. Such offspring should be removed (annually, before they have opportunity to breed). Under such a control programme, the frequency of such 'throwbacks' will gradually diminish, leaving, in time a population of white domestic ducks rearing white offspring. The initial control would involve removal of 70% of the present feral duck populations at Marina da Gama.
Fragments from report to City of Cape Town, City Planner's Department. Compiled by Dr P.A.R. Hockey, June 1989
THE BROKEN HADEDAOn Tuesday, around 7pm, leaving our house in Springer Close, to go for an evening swim, my partner and I noticed a lone hadeda energetically digging for grubs on our neighbour's lawn. Immediately we realised there was something not quite right and on closer inspection saw one wing hanging limp and dragging on the ground! Oh no!!!! Shame! A broken wing! What could we do, it was too late to take it to the World of Birds, and then would we even be able to catch it?? And that beak!
Anyhow, we decided just to leave it as it seemed to be ok eating, rather not disturb it further and try to sort it out the next day! How did this happen I wondered? A dog?
But then if it was, why would the owner not have done something? Or perhaps no one saw....?
Well, the next day arrived, Wednesday...and my partner went to work, and I got up rather late, having had a foot operation, I have given myself permission for this luxury. I had the hadeda in my mind all morning, knowing at some point I would hobble outside to look for it. A little while later my mother arrived, to pick me up, as we were going out. As I limped to the gate, I heard her voice. "The hadeda is waiting at your gate!"
And there it was, in the sun, baking in the heat coming off the tar, looking very limp and dehydrated, right outside my gate!
Why it wasn't in the shade under the tree on out neighbour's lush green lawn, is a mystery. The only possible explanation, is that it KNEW we would help it!
We shooed it inside. And now how to catch it.
Well to cut a long story short, I gently herded it into a corner, and put our big cat box right there, and voila, in it went! So willing was this poor creature!
Gabriella
CAPRICORN PRIMARY SCHOOL STAR OF 2010Well done Fiona!
Eleven year old Fiona Christians was awarded the 2010 prize for the most outstanding, the most diligent and the overall best achieving student at Capricorn Primary School.
Fiona started at Capricorn in Grade 5 last year (2010) having moved from Levana Primary School in Lavender Hill.
Capricorn Primary opened in 2009 catering for learners up to Grade 4. In 2010 the first two Grade 5 classes started and this year, 2011, they have amalgamated into one Grade 6 class with 25 learners taught, this and last year by Charlene Hendrickse.
When asked what her dream is, Fiona responded " to live out of Capricorn". She wants to become a doctor. Her favourite subject is history as she loves learning about the people who lived hundreds of years ago. And she says she is so proud of her teacher.
Her teacher, Ms Hendricks, is also very proud of Fiona, adding "When asked to do a project, Fiona produces not just a project but a 'masterpiece'. She excels in every subject and is excellent at maths." Ms Hendricks will be submitting Fiona's name for a scholarship from the K. Mason Foundation so that Fiona can choose which high school she would like to attend.
Capricorn Primary offers its pupils an extra-mural activity every Wednesday from 2-3 pm. Fiona has chosen to take Latin American dancing this year – she is an all rounder and has a wide variety of interests. She loves reading and the Famous Five is one of her favourite series – she would love one book of her own.
Fiona lives in one of the Home from Home safe houses that provides vulnerable children a family environment within their local communities. These children would otherwise be placed in institutionalised care.
Sharon McCallum
VRYGROND YOUNG STARSAt the recent indaba at Glencairn, the GWLFA changed its name to South Peninsula Local Football Association. The theme for 2011 of this newly constituted organisation is "Raising the Bar".
Zukile and Kelvin spend every afternoon coaching the youngsters from Vrygrond in an effort to keep them off the street and out of trouble after school. The big struggle is, as usual, financial - paying for transport to and from league and tournament matches, membership cards and affiliation fees to the governing organisation. Any and all assistance will be appreciated.
Contact Zukile on 073 279 7065 or Kelvin on 078 193 9521.
Banking details : Vrygrond Young Stars FC FNB account no. 62228227999
branch code 200-409.
WHY IS MY COMPUTER SO SLOOOOOW? When you bought your computer it was fast and efficient and opened the programs before you even finished clicking on the icon and now it is like rowing through treacle. Why?
Once you have established the obvious, that the computer is free of virus's, malware, spyware or adware then the next biggest culprits are lack of resources and heat.
Let us tackle the resources issue first. The main items here are Hard Drive, RAM and CPU. The hard drive stores all the data and programs on your computer in a permanent manner. The first and simplest fix is to ensure you have not run out of capacity.
Windows wants at least 10% of your hard drive capacity to be free. In Windows XP and earlier, double click on the My Computer icon, RIGHT click on the (C:) drive and click Properties. The blue portion is used and the pink unused. If your Free Space is less than 10% of the Capacity then some cleaning up needs to be done or a new drive is required. Go to the Control Panel and select Add/Remove Programs. Remove any programs you no longer use (Old printers, games no longer played, old versions of Anti-Virus software etc.)
If you computer has plenty of disk space but the light on the front of the box marked HDD still flickers insistently and you can hear the hard drive "revving" up and down all the time then it is time to Defragment. Over time the data on the hard drive becomes spread over the entire disk and the computer has to keep going back and forth to retrieve data. Defragmenting re-organizes the data. Do the same as above but click on the TOOLS tab. Click Defragment and follow the onscreen instructions.
Next we need to check what resources are being used in terms of RAM and CPU usage. For a quick indication push the CTRL, ALT and DEL keys at the same time. This starts the Task Manager . The two most important Tabs are Processes and Performance. Look at the latter first, it's a graphic display and the top graph shows the CPU usage. This should be no more than 15% when the computer is doing "nothing". To check the RAM the graph on the left shows the Page File (PF) usage. The PF usage should be no more than ¾ the Physical Memory (K). The Physical Memory is the top figure TOTAL. This is in bytes so divide by 1000 to get megabytes. A Windows XP PC needs at least 512MB to run adequately once programs are installed. Add in Skype, Anti-Virus software and background printing monitors and 1GB will be required.
When you start your computer a host of other services are started, some are required (Anti-Virus Software, network awareness, print spooler etc.), while a lot are not (Google Updater, Adobe Quickstart, QTime), the problem arises because every programmer seems to feel HIS software is important and must run in the background to make it start a few milliseconds faster if you click on the icon. So almost each time you install a program it adds to the computers start menu and then hangs around taking up resources in case you use it.
Now let us see what is hogging all those resources. Click on the Processes tab. Generally the System Idle Process will be at 90% +, any other items that are in double digits are probably culprits. Clicking on the MEM USAGE header will sort the processes into ascending order. Make a note of any big numbers. You can click on an Image Name and use the End Process button, however if you end a required service you may stop your anti-virus software from working or cause certain programs to not open. Restarting restores all the services, disabling the correct or superfluous processes will require a properly trained technician.
Now that you have checked all the above and found and fixed what you can, & the computer is still slow then the possibilities are narrowed down to either overheating or malfunctioning hardware. The following point to imminent hard drive failure:
- Knocking or ticking sounds
- Hard drive light is on permanently
- Delayed write failed error messages
- Check disk often runs when you switch computer on
- Computer freezes often
- Internal fan is always running at high pitch
- Computer freezes – often it will freeze after a certain amount of time then the time between freezing gets shorter and shorter till you leave it off for several hours.
- Strange characters or black / white blocks on the screen
- Beeping then the computer shuts down and you have to wait a while to start it.
Daryl Meyer
DataSafe Computing
CAPRICORN LINK - BUSINESS PLANThe Link, as you know, is run by volunteers(amateurs) with a part-time manager, and on a shoestring budget.
There are however other organisations in Cape Town which do similar work- still as not for profit entities- but in a much more professionally organised way.
For example "Work Now" is based in Hout Bay and has an office in Fishhoek.
"Dreamworker" has offices in Athlone, Somerset West and Hermanus.
Both of these organisations have access to significant funding, from Government and elsewhere and are able to employ full time staff to maximise job opportunities for the communities they serve.
We have been talking to Dreamworker for some months about how we might develop our job-finding service by adopting some of their business methods and systems. They have generously made available their forms and questionnaires and allowed us to sit in on interviews etc.
Their registration application form is much more detailed than anything we have used hitherto and covers many aspects of the job-seeker's life, work experience and aspirations, all of which paint a comprehensive picture, of value both to that person, a prospective employer(in distilled form) and to us.
The form needs to be completed at an interview, after the job-seeker has studied it and assembled all the supporting documents-ID, Educational reports, employment references etc.
This is a time-consuming exercise and a learning experience for both interviewer and interviewee.
We need more support for our manager, hence my appeal in the previous edition of Marina News. Ideally, we would like to employ another person on a part time basis, for 3 reasons:
Firstly, we could second Zukile to Dreamworker for some in –depth training.
Secondly, another person could deal with routine business, answer the telephone etc, whilst he was conducting interviews.
Thirdly, he would be able to take leave, without our having to close the office.
We are currently using what funds we have to refurbish the office and make it more secure. Chubb has kindly offered us a free service once we secure the premises and install an alarm system,. At that stage, we can reinstall the office equipment(removed as at risk of theft) and switch our computer to ADSL for a speedier more efficient service.
We have in mind a candidate as Zukile's part-time assistant; but would need at least R300 per week for 2 mornings work and more when Zukile is on leave etc.
If we are to move on and meet the targets in our business plan we urgently require further sponsorship from local businesses and/or residents. We are a registered NPO, so sponsors would receive the necessary certificate to claim a Section 18 tax deduction.
In addition, extra volunteers are always welcome. If you can spare one morning a week(or fortnight etc) you will find the work both challenging and rewarding. Sponsors/ Volunteers should please contact the chairman Capricorn Link (E-mail mwpather @ mweb.co.za \ tel 788/5951)
Sponsors may make electronic transfers directly to our account at Standard Bank
Branch 025609
A/c 270049096
Please ensure that you identify yourself as the source of the payment so that we can acknowledge your support and provide the tax certificate.
Capricorn Link is sad to announce that Paul West has decided to resign from the committee.
Paul is a founder member and has for the 7 years of our existence been the driving force behind much of our work. He has a number of other activities which make increasing demands on his time and feels at this moment that The Link has reached a settled state where he can step down with no regrets.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank him on your behalf for all he has done, and continues to do for this community. Our committee will be marking the occasion of his retirement with an informal coffee morning at which we can present him with a small token of our appreciation.
Paul will remain available for advice on IT and computer issues.
Well done Paul!
KIM'S NOTEWhat a bumper issue. With only this little gap to fill...
Thank you to all that have sent us pictures, stories, etc, this is what makes the newsletter a success. Our next newsletter will hopefully be coming out in April, so please do send us more!
Kim
kim@kedesign.co.za
P.S. Elaine, please save a ticket for me!
COUNCIL CORNERTo start on a political note - in the forthcoming municipal elections, you will get two votes, one for the ward candidate and one for the political party of your choice. As you may have read in the False Bay Echo, I will be seeking election as a Proportional Councillor on the DA list, and not as the ward candidate. Ward councillors have a direct responsibility for ward issues, while PR councillors can play a citywide or service portfolio interest. The number of PR councillors a party is allocated depends on the proportion of the total vote it obtains in the election.
In the 15 years I have been involved with this ward, much has happened affecting the Marina – from the improving of Prince George Drive to the present dual carriageway, now the M5, the upgrading of Vrygrond from an informal settlement, the establishment of Capricorn Industrial Park and its shopping complex, the turnaround of the degradation of Muizenberg, to more recent issues such as the Marina constitution wrangle and the still present weed harvesting problem.
Talking of that, I must once again apologise on behalf of the City for the backlog in clearing the weed. There has regrettably been a delay in the latest initiative to improve matters by transferring the function from Parks to Nature Conservation, where it will be more appropriately and tightly managed. Here, I must also appeal to all residents to adhere to their obligation to clear the weed within 2 metres of their banks. It transpires that, whether by encouragement or inducement, the current operator has been doing this unauthorised task for some while. Not only does this take extra time from his schedule, but it has also led to damage to the Kingfisher with consequent downtime.
Another issue that has been a source of controversy is the placement of security huts on municipal property, especially road verges. A council policy to regulate this is in the final stages of preparation and should come into force this year. Another safety issue that remains a problem, is improving the intersection of Oudevlei, Vrygrond and Prince George Drive. If it were within my power, I would have installed traffic lights there years ago. I have again, recently, asked Traffic Management to re-examine the intersection and the accident statistics and, at the very least, design improvements for traffic turning right into Prince George Drive, both North and South bound.
Finally, to end on a political note as well. Please ensure you are registered to vote (you can SMS 32810 to confirm) and when Election Day arrives, do go and vote – it really does matter and your vote does count.
Cllr Demetri Qually
Chairperson - South Peninsula subcouncil
DA Councillor - Ward 64
Office 021 784 2001 Fax 0865 760 582 Cell 083 629 1326
Civic Centre, Central Circle, Fish Hoek, Private Bag X1, Fish Hoek, 7974