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October 2009
CHAIRMAN’S REPORTTime travel is now possible – at least on Google Earth it is - click on the ‘clock’ icon on the top tool bar and a sliding scale from the current issue of Google Earth back to the year 2000’ish appears in the top left hand of the window. – (Thanks to Peter F for the information)
When looking, through Google, at the Marina and by going back several years it is possible to see the effects of the ‘Greening of the Marina’. When the Marina was being constructed irrigation systems were installed, by the developer, on the public open spaces. When the public spaces and roads were handed over to council, as a condition of the sub division of the land, the operation and maintenance of the systems became the council’s responsibility. In previous times up to 16 council gardeners were used to maintain these areas within the Marina.
Times have changed, and as the development of the Marina slowed down the irrigation systems were dropped from the later stages of development with the result of, green in the winter, dust in the summer. Council’s provision of gardening support also fell away; as a result the task of supporting these systems increasingly fell onto the Marina Association. Most of the watering of the Open Spaces is carried out by volunteers who, in some cases, drag out hoses and sprinklers once a week to keep the Marina looking as it was intended. Age has now overtaken parts of the original sprinkler systems and maintenance is now carried out as joint venture between MDGA Gardens Portfolio – Toni Joubert - and council Parks and Gardens, and as a last resort additional funding had been supplied by the association to ensure the existing systems continue to function.
In the Uitsig Peninsular, where no systems were installed by the developer, a well and pumping system have been installed, by council, to provide ground water for irrigation. Once the electricity power supply has been installed, by council, we should have a functioning system for Uitsig Park; we then will provide as another joint venture, over a period of time and with funds permitting, the piping and sprinklers.
The tremendous effort by the Toni and volunteers, in the organisation and physical carrying out of the work, to maintain our Open Spaces, in a manner which has always set us apart from other suburbs, is continuously increasing and any assistance would be most welcome.
Winter and the rain may hopefully be behind us and it is time for that annual request for a Marina peculiarity, ‘the cleaning of parapets,’ this is a plea which this year is of particular significance in that some members have put off the task for longer than they have done previously. Please look at your house as neighbours or visitors would see it and if the parapets/ walls need work if so please clean or paint as appropriate.
Estate Agents are pointing out that property prices in well maintained Homeowner Association areas are holding up somewhat better than other areas, during these difficult financial times.
Bob Craske
BIRD FACTS: PURPLE GALLINULE
The Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio), also known as the African Purple Swamphen, Purple Moorhen, Purple Gallinule or Purple Coot, is a large bird in the family Rallidae (rails). This s a large colourful bird with heavy red legs and almost comically large red feet. The crown, back of neck, sids, lower chest, belly and underparts are a bright bluish purple, with sides of face, throat and chest iridiscent greenish turquoise. The back is green and undertail coverts are white. The red bill and frontal shield are very conspicious. Eyes red. The species has a very loud explosive call described as a “raucous high-pitched screech, with a subdued musical tuk-tuk”. It is particularly noisy during the breeding season. It is a good swimmer, especially for a bird without webbed feet.
The Purple Swamphen breeds in warm reed beds. The male has an elaborate courtship display, holding water weeds in his bill and bowing to the female with loud chuckles.
Pairs nest in a large pad of interwoven reed flags, etc, on a mass of floating debris or amongst matted reeds slightly above water level in swamps, clumps of rushes in paddocks or long unkempt grass. Multiple females may lay in the one nest and share the incubation duties. Each bird can lay 3–6 speckled eggs, pale yellowish stone to reddish buff, blotched and spotted with reddish brown. A communal nest may contain up to 12 eggs. The incubation period is 24 days.
The Purple Swamphen prefers wet areas with high rainfall, swamps, lake edges and damp pastures. It clambers through the reeds, eating the tender shoots and vegetable-like matter. They have been known to eat eggs, ducklings, small fish and invertebrates such as snails. They will often use one foot to bring food to their mouth rather than eat it on the ground.
Spotted recently on the west side of Park Island. These birds are very shy and quite rare at Zandvlei.
Information from: en.Wikipedia.org
FLY FISHERMAN FROM THE MARINA
I started fishing in 1993 when I was three years old. My dad introduced me to fishing and I caught my first fish at Sodwana Bay. It was a ‘wave-garrick (three-spot pompano).I started flyfishing in 1996 when we holidayed with my uncle (my dad’s brother) who lived in Swaziland. I caught my first fish on fly at Cape Vidal - a small green-spot kingie.
I prefer river fishing to stillwater flyfishing. I tie my own flies and I read many books on flyfishing. My favourite book of all time is ‘Hunting Trout’ by Dr Tom Sutcliffe. My most memorable flyfishing outing to date was a two-week long trip to the Richtersveld with a bunch of grand guys from WP Flyfishing.
Achievements to date:
Boland Senior Fly-fishing team 2003
Boland Junior Fly-fishing team 2004, 2005
Western Province Senior Flyfishing Team 2006, 2007.
Gold Medal for Junior Nationals 2005
Junior Presidents team 2006, 2007
Gold Medal International Tournament against Swaziland
Gold Medal individual Junior Nationals 2004, 2007 and 2008
Gold Medal Senior Nationals 2007
Junior Protea Colours 2008, 2009
7th Place individual Worlds Flyfishing Championship 2008 -Portugal(SA Team -5th place)
2nd Place individual (Silver Medal) 2009 World Youth Flyfishing Championship -Czeck Republic.
I am currently studying towards a BSc degree at Rhodes University in Grahamstown.
The best times are those when I can come home for the holidays and fishing off our jetty or in my boat on the Marina.
Chase Nicholson
WORLD CANOE MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIPS
World Canoe Marathon Championships, Deuro River, Porto, Portugal, 16th to 20th September, 2009.South Africa sent its largest ever canoe team out of the country to participate in an international, World Championships event, when 55 paddlers, chosen at the S.A. trials on the Keurbooms River, Plettenberg Bay, in late June this year, and from the age groups U18 all the way to over 70’s, flew out of JHB’s ORT International Airport on Friday 11th September.
Included in the team were 6 paddlers from the Western Cape.
The event, held some 20 kilometres upstream from the coast and where Portugal’s second biggest city, Porto, is found, was held on the Deuro River at a place (not even a village - just a pub or two!) called Crestuma. It was, however, an ideal venue, with excellent racing waters.
Although we arrived on Saturday 12th, i.e. 4 days before the championships started, there was plenty to do w.r.t. getting ready.
The first races of the championships were for K1 - single - canoes. My event saw the organisers combine the Masters (50 - 54 years) and the Sub Grandmasters (55 - 59 years) meaning that we were a total of 42 canoes lined up at the starting pontoon - that is quite a lot of paddlers and with the exception of the Senior Men’s K1 event (24 - 34 years), our was the largest ‘pack’ to line up at the start.
And the start was hectic, as 42 canoeists, with paddlers flailing, shot away on the command and headed downstream to 5 turning buoys (1.15 km away) before heading back up-stream to the take-out jetty and the first portage (3.3 km). Approaching it in large groups meant that there was always going to be carnage there, as no-one asks for quarter and no none gets it! As the take-out jetty only can take about 6 K1’s at any one time, and then in a relaxed manner, this obviously doesn’t happen in a race, and when groups of up to 9 canoes get there at the same time, it makes for a colourful scene - the language as well! I had managed to position myself on the right slip of last years gold medallist, Melvin Swallow from Great Britain - on his left slip was Brit. Brian Greenway, last years silver medallist, so I was very happy to go into the portage with them and come out 200 m later still in contact as the second of our 5 x 4.3 km laps began.
The Brits. were stronger and got away from me on this 3rd lap and although I was able to hold station, I wasn’t really making any headway into the gap between us. I still wasn’t too perturbed, as I knew that I had a much better portage technique than them, and so would be able to hold them at bay. At least, that is what I believed until at the ‘fatal’ 4th portage (for me), when in my hurry to get back into the canoe again after the running sprint, I over-balanced and my canoe filled with water. I had to empty it, all the while realizing that they were catching up - then, when I got away from the side, I found that my rudder jammed in the ‘up’ position - the beach consisted of very coarse sand which had jammed the mechanism - and so without any steerage, it was very difficult to stay with them as we started into the final lap. The race ended with the Russian taking the bronze medal, the Kiwi coming 4th and then me - 5th overall and disgusted with my performance.
However, the Portuguese have an expression that I learnt from my Mozambican days, that sounds something like - ‘no fush mal’ (spelling!), which roughly translated means, ‘tomorrow is another day’, and so that it how I went forward into the 2nd day of racing, which was the K2 (double) event with my partner, Andre’ Rabie, a member of the Paarl Canoe Club.
Our 1st portage saw 7 canoes arrive together and it was a circus! Ahead of me (we hit the jetty lying about 5th - a crew had slipped and fallen - the rest of us literally ran over the top of them(!) to get away and break up the group. At the 2nd portage, we sprinted away from our most serious opposition, the teams from Great Britain and Spain, and found ourselves with the S.A. Masters pair and a canoe from the Czech Republic. We thereafter consistently extended our lead to eventually run out clear winners to secure the gold medal in our age category.
The South African team continued to do well, winning various colour medals in the Masters classes as well as the World Championships in the Junior Men (Brandon van der Walt of Guateng) and in the U23 Men (Brandon’s older brother, Grant van der Walt, now resident in Durban). In the senior categories, S.A. had two women in the top 10 - the same in the Senior men (4th and 10th) and in the Senior Men’s K2, after a humdinger of a race, a silver medal behind the Spanish crew.
All in all, it was a very successful World Championships for the S.A. Team, they coming 5th overall out of 41 countries. Rob Maclean
GOING ROUND THE BEND - 'VEGETATING'
Many of you will have grown up on that corny old classic:Spring is sprung, the grass iz rizz,
I wonder where the birdies izz.
We used to think it as hilarious in primary school. Less hilarious now, while I’m writing this, with no Spring in sight and the birdies ploughing up and down the canals in the pouring rain. I’m comforting myself with the thought that rain is Nature’s way of making gardeners stay indoors to do the housework, but come to think of it, that’s no comfort at all.
Moving to the Marina renewed my determination to grow our own vegetables. This had less to do with virtue than with it coinciding with the Global Recession. We had visions of having to survive by boiling up Ampie’s old veldskoene, which would have at least got rid of them, though it might have got rid of us as well.
There’s an urban story that you can grow enough in a vegetable bed the size of a door, to feed a family of four. I can’t help thinking that this must be an extremely short family – I have a nephew who can eat a cartload of fodder in one sitting. Before lunch.
Years ago I had a lovely vegetable patch in the lush soil of Newlands, the dampest place in the Peninsula, where vegetables grow like weeds. Especially courgettes. In fact, the courgettes flourished to the point that I had over thirty recipes for them; sauted, boiled, roasted with garlic, fried in batter, you name it. Until one day my daughter rebelled, declaring I’m never eating another courgette!! Admittedly by then she was looking rather green.
After digging out my herb and veggie garden here last year, I started growing courgettes (from seeds) again, in between the masses of red tomatoes (three varieties), string beans and a variety of herbs. Our friend Wesley took one look at our courgette plants, and, crowing with delight, carried off the glowing orange flowers to make an exotic dish…we were stuck with the long green things. Again.
Beverly Roos Muller
GROWING OUR BUSINESS NETWORKThe Marina Business Network keeps growing with new folk joining us at each meeting! We continue to marvel at the talent in our midst with a host of outstanding guests presenting. In June we had Mike Fielding on “Effective Communication in Business”, in August John Homewood spoke on “Stress and How to Overcome It” and in September Ian McCallum thrilled with “For the Love of Nature” a topic close to our hearts.
Ever since we launched the Marina Business Network, we have attracted interest from business people beyond the boundaries of Marina Da Gama and October will see the first Muizenberg Business Breakfast. And for stay-at-home moms with young tots we’re planning a Mom’s Group.
If you’re interested in attending or hosting any of these gatherings please email us: muiznews@i-junction.net
BIRD FACTS: AFRICAN SPOONBILL
The African Spoonbill (Platalea alba) is a wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family Threskiornithidae. This species is a widespread resident across Africa and Madagascar.The African Spoonbill occurs in marshy wetlands with some open shallow water, nesting in colonies in trees or reedbeds. Usually two to four eggs are laid.
The African Spoonbill is almost unmistakable through most of its range. The breeding bird is all white except for its red legs and face and long grey spatulate bill. It has no crest, unlike the Common Spoonbill. Immature birds lack the red face and have a yellow bill. Unlike herons, spoonbills fly with their necks outstretched.
This spoonbill feeds on various fish, molluscs and amphibians. They probe in mud sweeping their bill from side to side in search of food.
The African Spoonbill is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
Information from: en.Wikipedia.org
KIDZ CAKES
My name is Jessica and I am 9 years old. I am in Grade 3 and enjoy being homeschooled. I have lots of interests and enjoy sports. Dancing and Horseriding are my absolute favs.Earlier this year, after asking my mom and dad if I could make my own website, because my dad has his own at www.youngzrcboats.com my parents said I had to come up with an idea for the site first, before they said yes. I thought of horses at first, but decided rather to do a cake site. I have always loved baking and helping mom in the kitchen. When mom and dad said yes to the site, I was so excited. So when it came to choosing a name, mom helped me look on the web to see what choices there were, and I thought it would be a good idea to make it into a business where I could sell cakes and cupcakes. I had helped my mom make a cake for one of my friends in May and my friend was very happy with the cake. It was great.
I first published the site on 8 June and mom set me a challenge to try to get 100 visitors to the site for the month. I ended up with 111 (by the end of the day). I also got my first order in the month of June. 60 cupcakes for my cousins 21st. During the month of June, I made cupcakes for my friends to taste and sample. I aslo took some to gym, the doctor, our neighbours and dancing. The site hit 200 on 24 July, 300on 10 Aug and 400 on 7 Sept.
Elaine from the Marina asked me to bring and sell some cupcakes at the Auction, and then again at the craft market. My brothers came through to help me sell at the markets and we had great fun. So far I have made close to 20 orders. I have made cupcakes for family, neighbours, friends and even people I had not met before (from the internet). Mom helps me when we need to deliver them.
My mom has helped me to set up my own set of accounts, which I update every week to see how much money I have spent and made. I am putting all the money I make into a bank account so I can save up. I am saving for a laptop...
Jessica
PS I am doing a cake today - a treasure chest
DO IT DAY
Greater Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve (GZENR) hosts first “Do it Day” 2009: Pull it out and clean it up!“Do it Day”, a Greater Good South Africa initiative, took place this year on the 18th September 2009. Zandlvei Trust, an environmental NPO, conceived and applied for the project and GZENR hosted “Do It Day” 2009. It was the first event of its kind to be held on the reserve. The aim of “Do it Day” is to promote a culture of volunteering in South Africa and to contribute to South Africa in a meaningful way – it was not a fundraising opportunity.
Volunteers were asked to come armed with a good spirit and enthusiasm to help remove some of the litter entering the reserve, as well as clearing some invasive alien plant species like Port Jackson (Acacia saligna), Rooikrans (Acacia Cyclops) and Wild lentil (Vicia benghalensis and Vicia sativa). Protective gloves were sponsored by Greater Good South Africa and black bags were supplied by the City of Cape Town. The day started at 09:00am, and up to 55 volunteers arrived at various times during the day.
The first group to arrive was Reddam High School who brought a class of 26 volunteers, a teacher and an assistant. This group was given an introductory talk by Romeo Paulse, the Project Leader and Practical student for GZENR for the year of 2009. His talk included information on the reserve and its ecology, the flora and fauna and particularly the challenges that are presented. The next group to arrive consisted of members from Tygerberg Hospital’s Forensic Pathology department (23 volunteers) which included 11 fourth year medical students from Tygerberg Hospital and some doctors.
The group from Reddam High School was split into two groups, one group being taken to Wildwood Island under supervision of Mr. Declan Ross. This group managed to collect 12 bags of litter and other items from the water’s edge including trolleys, twelve tyres, washing machine casing, computer monitor casings and a tricycle! An indication of the extent of littering and pollution experienced in the area.
The second group from Reddam High School did alien clearing near the second lookout point in the reserve. Edward Moses (GZENR staff member) supervised the Port Jackson and Rooikrans clearing team in cutting down these aliens. Herbicide was applied to the cut stumps to prevent regrowth. At a later stage during the day, Mark Arendse (Environmental Education Officer GZENR), further supervised these volunteers and cut down the larger trees with a chainsaw.
The volunteers from Tygerberg Hospital’s Pathology department helped pulling out Vicia as it is a major invasive annual weed. The Tygerberg group was placed near the Red Data section and along the western fence (Henley Road) of the reserve and cleared ten black bags filled with Vicia. Zandvlei Nature Reserve staff assisted the volunteers and helped to show them what to do and which plants to pull. Zandvlei’s international volunteer, Corinna Keup from Germany, also assisted with supervising some of the volunteers.
At midday, all volunteers were asked to make their way to the parking area for lunch as more volunteers arrived. The group that on Wildwood Island was brought back to Zandvlei Nature Reserve with the reserve vehicle. After lunch all volunteers made their way to Zandvlei Nature Reserve’s road reserve and cleared a further 85 black bags of vicia.
Some of the volunteers could not stay for the duration of the day and at 14:00 the last group made their way to their transport vehicles. As GZENR is always looking for increased capacity for projects like this, “Do It Day” provided much appreciated assistance which contributed to environmental awareness and looking after the well-being of our ecosystem.
The volunteer groups made jokes and had a good laugh whilst tending to these duties which resulted in an inspiring, light hearted and fun filled day. GZENR aimed to build long-term relationships with members of the public and to promote awareness of the Nature Reserve.
At the end Romeo Paulse thanked all volunteers involved for their contributions in helping to clean up and sustain our environment. It is said “As far as that little candle throws its beam, so a good deed shines in this weary world”.
The contributions of all volunteers, as well as ZVT (Zandvlei Trust) and Greater Good South Africa and the staff at GZENR for co-ordinating and organising “Do It Day”, will ensure that their contributions will shine far and wide.
Romeo Paulse
Many thanks to Sharon McCallum for co-ordinating the day.
PARK ISLAND/ZANDVLEI BIRD LISTRecent interesting sightings include a Goliath Heron which has been recorded in the Zandvlei reserve for the first time.
The Black Sparrowhawk makes regular low flights into the Marina waterways looking for prey.
There have also been more frequent sightings of the Giant Kingfisher. Although they are seen in the Zandvlei Nature Reserve it appears that they are coming into the Marina area of the reserve more frequently.
It seems that the more indigenous plants are used in the gardens the more the birds are moving into the Marina area. One very useful plant is the Wild dagga or Leonotus leonurus. The nectar of this plant is irresistable to Sunbirds.
Peter Kruger
Click here to view the full bird list
BIRD FACTS: MALLARD DUCKS
The Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), probably the best-known and most recognizable of all ducks, is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and sub-tropical areas of the Northern Hemisphere.Mallard ducks are listed as an alien invader species in the South African National Scientific Programs Report No 113 (1985).
The fact that the Mallard duck is an aggressive breeder, hybridising with numerous other warerfowl species worldwide, is well documented. It crossbreeds easily with our indigenous ducks, in particular the yellow-billed duck and the off-spring is fertile. As a result, the survival of the yellow-billed duck, a protected species, is threatened.
The Mallard is 56–65 cm long, has a wingspan of 81–98 cm, and weighs 0.9–1.2kg. The breeding male is unmistakable, with a green head, black rear end and a yellowish orange (can also contain some red) bill tipped with black (as opposed to the dark brown bill in females). The female Mallard is light brown, like most female dabbling ducks. However, both the female and male Mallards have distinct purple speculum edged with white, prominent in flight or at rest.
A noisy species, the male has a nasal call, the female has a “quack” stereotypically associated with ducks.
The Mallard inhabits most wetlands, including parks, small ponds and rivers, and usually feeds by dabbling for plant food or grazing.
Mallard ducks have been domesticated and occur in a wide variety of colours including white, black, green and brown.
Information from: en.Wikipedia.org
MUIZENBERG MOONLIGHT MEANDER
About 80 people wrapped up warmly and joined Safer Together for the ninth Muizenberg Moonlight Meander on Saturday 8 August. The MMM was started in December 2008, with the idea of “taking the beach back for the community” so that people can walk in safety at night on the Saturday evening closest to full moon. Members of neighbourhood watches walk with the Meanderers.
The August Meander was the first in many months blessed with good (though chilly) weather – but Safer Together is pleased that we could keep the event going throughout the winter months. There were many regulars, also many newcomers and family groups. People came from as far as Kenilworth and Simonstown. It seems the word is spreading, and the project can only grow as the weather improves.
Join us on Saturday 3 and 31 October 18h00 - 20h00 (Contact Cape Town Tourism Muizenberg for info - 021 787 9140). Walk starts at 18h30, accompanied by members of the Neighbourhood Watch Association.
Our table is in front of Knead.
Candles are available for a minimum donation of R5, but please bring your own candle holder. Just cut the base off an empty 2 litre plastic cold drink bottle!
All money raised in October will go towards the purchase of radios for the Muizenberg Precinct Neighbourhood Watch Association.
In aid of the SAFER TOGETHER Community Safety Fund. Please support the people who support SAFER TOGETHER
Knead donates pizzas and bread to the Safer Together work groups and offers a discount on all pizzas bought on the evening of the Moonlight Meander.
Empire Café’s legendary croissants and breakfast early each morning. Open Thursday and Friday evenings. And a percentage of the sales of special burgers will be given to Safer Together.
Nero’s will support Safer Together by paying over, monthly, to Safer Together, 10% of all bills paid by customers who identify themselves as Safer Together supporters and sign NERO’S Sponsor Book.
Liz Linsell and Margaret Dugmore
LOCAL IS INDEED LEKKERSpring has sprung and despite the still frequent ‘wet fronts’ crossing the peninsula Marina residents are inspecting their homes with intent to do some ‘spring cleaning’.
ur phone has been ringing on a more regular basis as the demand for painters, carpenters, handymen, cleaners, domestics and gardeners etc has grown.
Perhaps the most encouraging sign has been the relationships we have forged with new and established business in the area this past couple of months, while assisting them with their staffing needs. They include our new BP garage [forecourt attendents and cashiers], the new Capricorn Square KFC [they have selected 9 of our candidates for further training for the new premises], a new business in Capricorn Science Technolgy Park have employed 20 welders and metal workers and Sunfactor have given permanent positions to 7 young women. The BOSSIES programme facilitated by Neil Major to landscape urban areas are employing 11 young, relatively unskilled young men on a casual basis planting out and landscaping the central reserve of the M3 Constantia.
In addition we have had a number of young candidates with matric and computer skills be accepted by Woolworths to be deployed in the Southern Suburbs over the festive season. A number of young people also applied to be assessed by False Bay College to be accepted for a variety of courses next year some with bursary options.
Michael Thomas [see advert] and Elvis Lukisi are both local registered builders who have won tenders to build the new Etafini Centre in Capricorn Village for the NGO of that name.
Our congratulations go to Boyce Tafeni from Capricorn Village, he has just been awarded ‘Employee of the Year’ at Catwalk Cosmetics in Capricorn Park. Boyce is 22 years old and was placed by us at Catwalk a year ago in a permanent position as a cleaner.
Jongikhaya Tshanga-tshanga was voted one of our most popular candidates this month. He has permanent employment as a groundsman at Park Quay which he thoroughly enjoys. He learnt about gardening and landscaping from Neil Major assisting with past BOSSIES projects and also became one of our most sought after casual gardeners in the Marina over the past few years.
Capricorn LINK is now 6 years old and we would like to share some of our success stories with you in upcoming issues and on the website. Please help us by creating local job and skills training opportunities.
Thank you to our sponsors, Zukile Nelani, our office administrator and all our dedicated volunteers.
Cherry Giljam
VRYGROND YOUNG STARS SOCCER TEAMS
Vrygrond Young Stars was founded and is managed by Kelvin Kamanga and Zukile Nelani to play under the SAFA League in Grassy Park in 2007. The first year saw them overcoming many financial, administrative and training hurdles. They persevered, and this 2009 season they have been very successful. They are especially proud of the acheivements of the under 13’s and under 15’s who have finished the season at the top of the league.Zukile would like to thank Sharon McCallum and her sister Anne for their incredible support of the project. To them and any other folks who have contributed to the success of the team, one day you will see these youngsters on television playing in the big teams!
If anyone is interested in supporting the team at any level please contact: Zukile 073 2797065 or Sharon 021 788 8592
WHOA! BACKUP THERE A MOMENT BUDDY...I often get called when it is too late. The computer has crashed, a power surge has destroyed the system or other such calamity. The first question I normally receive after telling the client their hard drive is beyond repair is “Have I lost my data?”
We are all guilty of not backing up important information regularly. Often people think it’s just a home computer and the data is not that important. But what about those emails? The pictures attached to them? Your address book? Your documents and all the pictures you have downloaded from your camera?
Even if you are backing up are you aware what is being backed up and what is not? Is the data verified? How often is the data backed up? What type of backup is performed (Full or incremental)? Are you aware that even with a backup you will still have to re-install every program on your PC, do you have all the disks?
Other than the information on your PC we need to keep track of so many other pieces of info, especially log-in details for the many services, most of which is often entered once and then forgotten. Do you know the log-in details for your ISP, Router, eMail, Skype, MSN, Facebook, Gmail, etc?
WHAT TO DO:
Software:Start by collecting all your software disks (including those that came with the PC or Notebook). This should include a disk for your computer and the “insides”, the printer and any peripherals attached to your computer, the software installed (Office suites, Picture Editing) and the Operating System disk. Keep them in a ziplock bag and update if any hardware changes.
Usernames & Passwords:Get a notebook, find and write down the following:
Internet - Username and password (often the username may be the first part of your email address). Include the dial-up number if you use a modem. If you use ADSL include the IP Address of the Router, the router administrative login details and if applicable the wireless security key and acces point name.
eMail - Username, password, pop server, smtp server.
Web Sites - URL, Username and passwords. DO NOT INCLUDE BANKING OR FINANCIAL SITES
Choose and setup a backup system. For me the best methods require the least user input after the initial configuration and I would advise getting a professional’s advice here if you haven’t already as there are numerous methods and finding the one most suitable to your need as well as the implementation thereof is critical.
Daryl Meyer
TRIBUTE TO HYLTON ACKERMANMarina resident since 1980 Hylton Ackerman died at home aged 62 early September 2009.
He will be remembered as the outstanding left-handed batsman, who was capped for SA Schools Cricket at just 14 years of age, who made more than 12,000 first class runs with 20 centuries and as captain of Western Province Cricket team in the 1970’s. He had an unrivalled passion for the game, was a pioneer of cricket development in South Africa and had an amazing ability to identify and coach developing young players.
Proud moments for Ackerman came when his youngest son Hylton Deon [HD] captained Western Province and represented the Proteas in four Test Matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He is following in his father’s footsteps.
But what of his family and their life here in the Marina?
Hylton was born in Johannesburg while Dawn came from Zambia.He and his wife lived at 106 Eastlake Island Way for 29 years. In the beginning Hylton travelled for 4 months of the year coaching cricket while Dawn, together with the late Edith Lewis, established a Garden Service to assist Marina residents. This service she later extended to Simon’s Town and Rondebosch. Dawn also became a street rep, a position she held for 25 years. She will be remembered for her passion in upholding Marina Standards and beautifying the Marina POS. In 1999 Dawn sold her business to enable her to join Hylton on his many travels.
Dawn reports that Hylton was ‘not a water person’. After a good party with friends he apparently capsized their boat and never again ventured out on the waterways! Rather hilarious, especially since Dawn had represented Rhodesia at swimming and never needed an invitation to be out on the water! He did, however, enjoy the watery vistas of the Marina from the safety of their patio and used to keep the ducks and geese at bay with his ‘catty’. One day, he was horrified when he connected his ‘target’, running to hide in the laundry while Dawn investigated the demise of the unfortunate, but unhurt, bird.
Hylton was a romantic at heart. Dawn would, from time to time put together a picnic, which was shared by them in the middle of the night in their bedroom. Hylton also liked to compose his own words to well known songs and sing them to Dawn. They had been married for 39 happy years and nurtured 3 children, who now live in London, Johannesburg and Durban respectively. Sadly we will also lose Dawn from the Marina as she has decided to relocate closer to her children.
His supporters and admirers travelled from all over the world to attend his Memorial Service. He was a very special man.
As told by Dawn Ackerman to Joyce Brandt
DEAR ART LOVERS AND HUMANITARIAN SPIRITS OF MARINA DA GAMA
I invite you all to come and visit the unique little Greeff Road of Hope Art gallery, where we showcase only the work of selected emerging artists in the old distillery of the Alphen Hotel in Constantia. I “mind” this little gallery so have the pleasure of spending my afternoons in the grounds of the charming, historical Alphen Estate with its Cape Dutch thatched roofs, thick white walls, green doors and deep sash windows. Its been a cold Cape winter but at the gallery, amongst the vibrant oils, acrylics, watercolours and mixed media collages, its always warm and sunshiny.
There are Sandy Esau’s people going about their lives - some dancing, some working, some trailing home on little donkey carts. One special little oil on board captures cold people huddled together outside around a glowing drum of fire.
In George Meyer’s artistic world skies are always a “hot” blue, the cottages have bright red roofs and there are always a couple of “hoenders” scratching around. Happy, cheerful, homely, delightful work - no deep inscrutable hidden meanings - just sunny skies and an uncomplicated wide-open response to his world.
Perhaps the most heartwarming aspect of being at the gallery for me is getting to know the artists - gentle, sensitive spirits whose urge is to express their worlds in colour on canvas but whose need is to feed, clothe and educate families. None of the work in stock is on consignment. It has been bought by our curator who has worked with these emerging artists for many years and can identify work which is developing investment potential. This outreach system helps the artists to support their families and enables them to concentrate on developing their ability.
Most of the artists are from the Western Cape – Sandy from Darling, George from Wellington and Fareed Rossier, who now lives in Mitchells Plain actually grew up in District 6. He writes poignantly about his family’s eviction from District 6 in 1980, saying “I felt the burn in my brain and heart”. His soft, almost wistful, watercolours of District 6 buildings are painted from memory supported by old photos for architectural detail.
And then, in a style all his own, we have the confident, broad brush strokes of our Zimbabwian artist, Tendai Nhavira, who works in clear limes and yellows and apple greens and turquoises . A charming, gentle man who lives outside Harare and supports an extended family from his work.
But there are more artists and more works to see and more stories to tell.
Please come and visit and let a soul-refreshing Cape Town afternoon melt away. If you should feel moved to invest, know that you are helping to support a family whilst encouraging a sensitive artistic fellow human to “emerge”
Gallery hours are 2 to 5pm Tuesday to Friday and 12 to 2pm on Saturday. There is ample safe and secure parking. You are welcome to phone me on 083 709 4105 if you would like to arrange a small group visit at a special time, or e-mail me on June.orsmond@telkomsa.net. Also please e-mail me if you would like to receive the gallery newsletter which is being developed.
June Orsmond
LETTERSJust to put your ‘minds at rest’.
Everyday my Jack Russell waits with a towel by the door to go in the water and for me to go on the pedalo. He jumps in even trying to undo the rope.
I go out with him in the pedalo and he eventually jumps in the water and holds on to a rope. He would go round and round the Marina forever if he had his way. A day doesnt go by when I feel guilty if the weather does not permit him to go out. He still waits for me to take him come hail storms whatever.
People who know me think this dog is wonderful but I have heard a few people saying its cruel. I think they think I have the rope round the dogs neck.
Kind regards
Allison Wilkinson
We are offered a very generous service by the local authorities in Marina Da Gama, in an endeavour to encourage all households to recycle.
Not only do they collect the recycling once a week but we are also provided with yellow bags for this purpose.
I am appalled by the number of residents who do not recycle and use the “free” bags for their general household refuse.
Regards
Cheryl Barratt
ED'S LETTERSpring is a time of renewal and we, in the Marina, are most fortunate to enjoy a grandstand view as life unfolds in all its glory.
From both an environmental and social perspective new growth and development needs to be nurtured in the correct environment. Through the declaration of the GZENR and the rehabilitation of Park Island and Wildwood Island, the landscaping of our POS and through nurturing our own gardens with integrity we have created an environment that has enabled the existing fauna to thrive while attracting many newcomers to the area. There is hardly a week that passes without some new ‘sighting’ been made. Perhaps the most exciting this year have been the Spotted Genet, Caracal and regular sightings and visits from Cape Clawless Otters. [also note the article on birds in the Marina].
Well illustrated in this issue is how our unique environment creates abundant opportunity to explore and enjoy a wide range of recreational activity whatever one’s age. It also promotes social interaction. Have you noticed what a ‘can do’, creative, competent and ‘concerned for the welfare of others’ group of folks you all are?
The ‘Marina News’ has been a small expression of ‘life’ in the Marina from the early 1990’s and I have been priveleged to have been part of it from 1999. I assisted Brian Gannon until 2005 when Kim took over the production, with both of us as editors. New commitments and change will make this my last issue. I will miss the laughs and the ‘stories’ brought alive by your contributions. Your friendship I will always cherish.
Kim and Cherry
kim@kedesign.co.za cherrygiljam@gmail.com
COUNCILLOR CORNER: THE DILEMMA OF SPRINGDo you see a carpet of many colours or an untidy park? When walking our dog, I’ve marvelled at nature’s profusion. When driving in The Row I see the overgrown grass in Zandvlei Park. According to Chantal Hanslo, the Director of City Parks, the high winter rainfall interspersed with periods of warm weather has promoted the germination and rapid growth of grass and weeds as well as annual spring flowers.
This sometimes causes a dilemma - should the areas be mowed or should the wild flowers be left untouched and not mowed until the seeds have ripened and dropped? Unfortunately, mowing apparently results in the grass eventually dominating the flowers. In the past, the Department curtailed the mowing of certain areas, such as the lawns at St James beach, during the flowering period to allow them to bloom and shed their seeds.
Chantal says that the Parks department have decided to make mowing the priority this year. Additional hours will be worked by staff or contractors to limit or reduce any mowing backlogs, and residents are urged to be patient. Concerns about uncut grass in parks can be directed to the C3 Notification system (details below).
Some wild flower areas have been identified and signposted, and will only be and mowed at a later date. In addition, there are many recognised biodiversity areas, nature sensitive areas and other open areas throughout the city where spring flowers can be seen.
The C3 system for reporting service delivery complaints or queries is now in operation.
For most problems please call 0860103089 or email contact.us@capetown.gov.za. Electricity problems should be reported to 0860 220 440 or emailed to FaultReporting.Centre@capetown.gov.za.
Your complaint will be logged and a reference number given for tracking purposes. Try it - it is working well.
Cllr Demetri Qually
Demetri.Qually@capetown.gov.za
083 629 1326