Holiday Activities For Your Kids

Here are some holiday activities for your kids, in and around the Johannesburg area, from Jozikids. For more information about these - or a range of other activities and shows - go to the Jozikids website.

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Here's a list of school holiday camps and activities on offer for your kids.

ANIMALS Carynton Stables, Muldersdrift W Rand, pony day camp, Sept 29.
National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria, Holiday Program, Sept 29-Oct 3.
Esperanza Riding School Holiday Program, Pretoria. Sept 29-Oct 3.
Chartwell Stables , Fun Days, at Chartwell, near Fourways. Sept 30, Dec 17.

ARTS/CRAFTS Rainbow week at YEESH! indoor play area in Woodmead, Sept 24-30
Make Funky Bookmarks at Smudge Art Centre in Craighall Park, Sept 23-28; Other activities Oct 30-5, 7-12, 14-19, 21-26.
Swirl Art Open Day in Bedfordview, Sept 27.

CAMPS Adventure 'n Beyond Holiday Camps at various venues, Sep 2-Oct 4, Dec 6-13, 14 -19
Gecko Valley Performing Arts Camps on Natal coast, Sept 21-30, Oct 1-5, Dec6-15, 16-23.
SA Basecamp weekend for kids at Hartbeespoort, Sept 26-28
Sugar Bay Holiday Camps on Natal coast, Sept 27- Oct 5, Dec 6-13, 13-23, 28-Jan 4, Jan 4-11.
Happy Acres Holiday Camp, Magaliesberg, Sept 27-Oct 4, Dec 6-13, 13-20, Jan 3-10.
Adventure 'n Beyond Holiday Camps, Sept 29- Oct 4, Dec 14-19.
Inkwenkwezi Junior School Holiday Camp, Magaliesberg, Sept 29-Oct 3, Dec 8-12.
Maraneman on the Vaal Adventure Holiday Camps w/ Christian Foundation, Sept 30-Oct 3.
Shepherd's Fold Pony Camps for sleepover or day programs in Elandsdrift W Rand, Sept 30-Oct 2, Dec 8-12.
BBK Trails Adventure Pony Camps in Mpumulanga Nov 30-Dec 7, Dec 7-14.
Camp Nelu Holiday Camps close to Magaliesburg, Dec 8-11, 19-23.
Kinderland Holiday Fun at Equestra, Pretoria Dec 8-12, Dec 15-19.
Chartwell Stables Pony Camp at Chartwell near Fourways, Dec 9-11

DANCE "Nutcracker" Holiday Dance Camps at Triba,Craighall Dec 8-12, Dec 15-19.

DOLPHINS Halo Gaia Holistic Tourism - Swimming with dolphins in Mozambique family retreat, Dec 4-8.

HOLIDAY FUN Enchanted Forest, holiday activities in Edenvale, Sept 29-Oct 3.
Boot Camp SA, holiday activities in Fourways, Oct 1-3.
Elf's Hill, Open Days in Chartwell Jhb, Oct 1,15,29.

SCIENCE Experilab, Holiday Program in Randburg,various classes each day from Sept 29-Oct 2.

TENNIS Tennis Holiday Clinic in Greenside & Lonehill, Sept 29-Oct 3.

TECHNOLOGY icamp Technology Workshops on Sept 29-Oct 3.

An Unusual Heritage Day

Today is HERITAGE DAY here, a public holiday. I believe that the Cape is having cool, perhaps cloudy weather, but north of the Cape we have a lovely warm day with open blue skies; ideal for outdoor celebrations and picnics.

It's something of an unusual Heritage Day for us, though. Just for today, we don't have a President; but we'll have another one tomorrow. And we have 13 'vacant' cabinet posts; crucial ones. There's not too much concern, though, because those ministers have not deserted and are still manning their posts. The circumstances leading up to this situation are well documented, so I'm not going to go into that. What I do want to say is that I feel that the behaviour of the leaders involved is worthy of our Heritage Day celebrations.

I feel that President Thabo Mbeki conducted his resignation with the utmost dignity and responsibility. Anyone, anywhere in the world, who witnessed his broadcast, would have nothing but respect for his demeanour. Even the lack of any panic on the stock exchange lends evidence to that sentiment.

With regard to the resignation of 13 cabinet members, I applaud their action. (Although there was momentary international panic when Finance Minister, Trevor Manuel, proved to be one of them, his instant reassurance to the world that he would be available to continue in that post under the new administration calmed the waters immediately.)

We knew beforehand that a number of Cabinet Ministers had already indicated that they would not be available for another term of office after next year's elections. Their resignations at this point make sense. The balance of the resignations of ministers in key posts is not an attempt at destabilization. On the contrary, all the resignations are a display of respect, both to the outgoing President and to the new administration.

The six ministers who who will not be available to continue in office have made it abundantly clear, leaving the new administration in no doubt as to a course of action. The balance of the ministers have made it clear that they would be willing to serve under the new administration, if invited to do so. This serves to clear the air. If invited to take up those posts under the new administration, there'll be no waiting for an axe to fall, and it will display a motion of mutual confidence, which is in the best interests of the new administration, the ministers concerned, and the rest of the country.

I believe that the parties involved have acted with dignity and a show of co-operation that is worthy of our Heritage Day celebrations.

Translate My Blog!

Now you can read my posts in a number of languages, by using the "translate" facility on the top right. Pity none of the other 10 South African languages are listed there, but it's a start!

Not being able to understand any of the other languages offered, I've no idea whether my posts make as much nonsense translated, but perhaps someone will let me know!

Nice feature, though, and probably even more useful on my other sites, Chicken Soup And Boerewors and SkyChamber.net

You Should Have Stayed Home, Mr. President.

It seems that President Mbeki is being "recalled from office" by the ANC. According to reports, they have decided not to allow him to complete his term of office, which would have been next year.

Whatever the ANC's reasons may be, I can't help echoing the sentiments of the leader of the ACDP, to the effect that it would be nice to have a president who spends time here at home, sorting out our own problems, instead of one who spends so much of his time out of the country, sorting out everyone else's. In a way, I can't help feeling that he was running away from our own critical domestic issues. He seemed to be on his own mission, rather than the country's.

This is a country suffering under the yoke of severe poverty and unemployment, crime levels that most civilized countries wouldn't believe possible, HIV/Aids that he seemed to shy away from, and a crumbling infrastructure. To my mind he's been like the head of the family who is so devoted to his business and its image that his own family falls apart from neglect - and he hides behind denial and hyper-activity, rather than to have to face his domestic issues realistically.

Perhaps a little dose of reality has hit home for him now. It's not easy keeping a job in South Africa, is it Mr. President? However, I've no doubt you'll find it easier to find another one than the rest of us do.

The Shame of The Wealthy in S.A.

I watch Top Billing on TV. I see the opulence and the way many people live in this country. I see the luxuries they spend their money on; the self-pampering and the all-important quest for image. Then I read a letter like the one below - and I weep:

The Danville Help Group

Good morning friends,

Thank you to everybody who always tries to alleviate the plight of those less fortunate than themselves. Thank you to everyone who contributes, even though times are getting tougher. Please know that your help is very much appreciated. It is never taken for granted.

The year is slowly nearing its end, and we will be starting with our Christmas program this week as well as with the distribution of the wish lists for 2008. It feels like yesterday that we held more than 20 Christmas functions for those people we support. What will this year bring? Will we once again be able to bring joy to the hearts of children and senior citizens? I hope and believe that we can.

I have started distributing the wish lists in last week. We should be receiving the first of the wish lists back from the end of this week - and then the laughs starts with a tear...

BLOU DAKKIES OLD AGE HOME

Uncle Hennie and uncle Sas passed away recently. The senior citizens are heartbroken about the double passing. We believe that time will bring healing for them.

GROCERIES

I have really been struggling for the past 2 weeks to accumulate enough food and clothing to distribute to everyone. The times are really tough and donations are very few.

I will be distributing the last food and groceries today - the cupboards are bare!! We will have to start selling some of the second hand clothes soon to be able to buy the basic bare necessities. Food donations are really urgently needed - every can or packet can make a huge difference!! We cannot even buy spinach from Andeon to distribute at the moment - the need is very very great! PLEASE HELP!!

Delivery address:-

286 Cliffendale avenue
Faerie Glen
Tel 012 991 3914 Sel 082 8282 551
E.mail - elecnet@mweb.co.za
Website: www.danvillehulp.co.za
PS Please call me before you leave

ANDEON PROJECT

Things are very busy at Andeon. The onions are almost ready to be harvested, and there is still a lot of spinach available. I will keep you up to date with what is happening here. Please contact Arnold directly for orders:- Arnold Cell 072 709 5490

Please help us to try and alleviate the need. It is really getting worse at a phenomenal rate as people lose their jobs and homes.

Until next time,
Elsabe

COLLECTION POINTS

CENTURION - Herman 012 665 0926

WINGATE PARK - Bernadette van der Walt, 754 Kendrew Street
Cell: 083 469 3682 after 14:00 in the week and any time over a weekend. Please phone before you leave home!!

PIERRE VAN RYNEVELD PARK - Annetjie and Danie, Tooks Corner No 1,Pierre van Ryneveld, Cell: 082 445 6453
Email: annajo@nedcor.co.za

ROOIHUISKRAAL - Werdi, Cell: 083 255 9362, Home: 012 661 8396, Email: werdi@mweb.co.za


ROOIHUISKRAAL - Elsabe Wentzel, Pelican Lane 11, Cell: 083 287 3166, Home: 012 661 5591
I am usually at home from 18:00 - please phone and let me know.

FAERIE GLEN - Elsabe Blignaut, 286 Cliffendale Avenue, Faerie Glen
Home: 012 991 3914, Cell: 082 828 2551, Email: Elecnet@mweb.co.za

SINOVILLE - Nelia van Zyl, 394 Pointsettia street, Sinoville
Home: 012 567 7329, Cell: 082 447 7847
Please call her before you deliver.

WAVERLEY - Rina Minnaar, 889 Bosloerie Str., Waverley,
Home: 012 332 1113, Cell: 082 333 5677

BRAAMFONTEIN - Marilize Panter, Cell: 083 308 6698

KRUGERSDORP - Lorette Grove, 5 Nugget Street, Wentworthpark, Krugersdorp
Cell: 083 951 7716

Bankingdetails:

Danville Hulp Projek
FNB - Brooklyn
Branchcode:- 251 345
Account No: 620 546 34128
Swiftkode: FIRNZAJJ926

Delivery address:-

286 Cliffendale rylaan
Faerie Glen
Tel 012 991 3914 Cel 082 8282 551
Email: elecnet@mweb.co.za

Website: http://www.danvillehulp.co.za

If any of you can help these people, please do.

September Events

From the desk of Jozikids, here are some September events for the family:

DANCE: Dance Workshops at Arts Alive in Newtown for advanced/professional dancers, Sept 15-18.
Rock-a-Tutu at the South African Ballet Theatre in Braamfontein from Nov 21-Dec 14.

FOOD: Choc Delight Chocolate Moulding Classes in Florida, Sept 27
Linda's Bake and Pack baking/craft courses, Westdene, Sept 13,20

GENIUS: Genius LAB Mathe-magics & Science for Wiz-Kidz at Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown, Oct 10.

HALLOWEEN: Halloween at the Johannesburg Zoo, Oct 25.

HERITAGE: Jozi Fest Celebrate our Heritage at Gold Reef City w/ music,fashion etc. Sept 24-Oct 5th.
Magaliesberg Festival at the Bekker School grounds, Sept 25.
Heritage Month at Maropeng in Hekpoort, W Rand from Sept 1-30.
Free Quad ride at Zwartkops Quad Centre in Centurion, Sept 24.

MARKETS & FAIRS: Charity Day for the Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children in Emmerentia, Sept 13.
Fun Day & mini walk at Kildrummy Pre-primary School in Paulshof, Sept 13.
Spring Morning Market at St Andrew's School for Girls in Senderwood, Sept 13.
Bryanston Organic Market Thursdays and Saturdays, Sept 11,13.
Irene Market every 2nd & last Sun of the mnth in Menlo Park, Pretoria, Sept 13, 27.
Craighall River Craft Market every 2nd Sat of month in Craighall Park, Sept 13.
blu bird Whole Food Market every Sunday in Birnam, Sept 14.
Crafter's Market at Bunny Park, last Sat of mnth in Benoni, Sept 27.
Body Mind Soul Holistic Fayre in Menlo Park, Pretoria, Sept 27,28.
Spring Fair at Earthkids Play-Patch in Kyalami, Sept 28.
Urban Market in Midrand. First Sat of mnth, Oct 4.
Crafter's Market at Bokkie Park, 1st Sat of month in Boksburg, Oct 4.
Farmer's Market at Bamboo in Melville, 1st Sat of the month, Oct 4.
Fun Day at Kensington Ridge Primary School, crafts, food and fun on Oct 11.

MUSIC: Spring Classical Concert at Linder Auditorium, in Braamfontein at WITS, Sept 14.
Sundowner Concerts at UJ Auckland Park on Mon evenings, Sept 15,22.
Tres Jolie 3rd Birthday Bash with live music and kids entertainmt in Ruimsig, Sept 19.
Drumming Circle and Firedancing, Fossil's Place in Centurion, Sept 20.

NATURE: Yebo Gogga Yebo AmaBlomma Exhibit-insects,animals,plants in Braamfontein at Wits, Sept 27-30.

SHOWS: Stargazing, at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens in Roodepoort, Sept 27.
The Sky Tonight, at the Planetarium in Braamfontein at WITS, Thurs, Fri & Sat.
South African Tattoo, at Montecasino Fourways, Sept 11-14.
Fly me to the Moon, 4D Movie now showing at Gold Reef City.

SPORT: Soccer Open Day, with Little Kickers in Linden, Sept 13.

THEATRE: The Jungle Book at the Market Theatre in Newtown, Oct 10-Dec 21.
Beauty & the Beast at the Montecasino Theatre in Fourways, Oct 2-Dec 7.
Footloose at the UJ Arts Centre in Auckland Park, Sept 10-27.
Hollywood Rocks: Music from the Movies!, Barnyard Theatre-Broadacres, Sept 2-Oct 12.
The Boys are Back in Town, Barnyard Theatre-Cresta Sept 2-Oct 12.
Bollywood Love Story: A Musical at The Market Theatre in Newtown, Sept 4-14.
Aladdin, at the National Children's Theatre in Parktown, Sept 8- Oct 18.
Little Red Riding Hood and Other Stories at the People's Theatre in Braamfontein, Sept 8- Oct 15.

TRAINS: Miniature Steam Train in Florida Open Day, Sept 21.
Various train trips, Sept 24,28.

WALKS/HIKES: Check the calender every weekend for a list of regular walks or hikes in Gauteng.
The Zoo Trot at JHB Zoo, every 2nd Sunday of the month, Sept 14th

WORKSHOPS: Life Skills 4 Kids at Triba in Craighall Park on Sept 10,11,17,18,24,25
ADHASA's Annual ADHD Seminar at WITS West Campus on Sept 13-14


For more information, visit the Jozikids website here, or e-mail them at info@jozikids.co.za

Biker Club For One!

I love motorbikes; but sort of conditionally. I love riding them - not assembling them, fixing them, racing them or even, particularly, washing them. I don't know a piston from a spark plug. (Although, being a good South African, I know that you can smash a car window more easily with a piston than with a spark plug, although if you know how, a spark plug is very effective too. But this isn't a Lifestyle post, so enough of that.)

Then there's a second catch. I'm not crazy about swearing, drinking, posing or competing - so joining a Biker's club holds little attraction.

Oh, and here's the third catch. If I did like riding with the pack, I couldn't possibly keep up with them! In fact, I wouldn't even reach the destination on the same day! All I have right now is my little 125cc Honda e-Storm!




For those not in the know, it's a very cute little bike that's ideal for daily commuting and whipping in and out of city traffic; not to mention that it hardly consumes any gas. But a Bike, it is not. More like a training bike to learn how they work in traffic.

There's no problem buzzing about in town - in fact it's a dream. Goes quite fast enough to stay out of traffic's way. But it's too light for the freeways; not a bike for a road trip.

I bought it around the beginning of the year, with the ever-rising fuel price in mind (not to mention an ever-diminishing cash flow never out of mind), after not having ridden for about 15 or 16 years! If I'd had any reservations, they disappeared within the first days. Despite city traffic, that little bike injected a surge of LIFE back into my tired veins! The thrill of biking dropped years off me in an instant. Now, 8 months later, that enjoyment hasn't diminished in the slightest.

However, now that I'm used to it again, I must confess that I'm finding it frustrating. I YEARN to open it up on the freeways, on the open road! The last bike I rode was a 750cc Honda.


The difference between the two is that with my present bike, I check the cars approaching in my rear-view mirrors. On the 750cc, I checked the cars diminishing in the rear-view mirrors.

It can be difficult to describe the sense of freedom. In a car, you're surrounded by a metal frame, in your own protected space, viewing every other car as a threat. On a bike, you feel a part of everything around you. You're one with the countryside, uninhibited by a metal cage. Even the tarmac is real ... touchable. In fact, you're aware of every pothole, every crack, every characteristic of the road surface. You're aware of everything happening on the sides of the road, and even inside the cars. You HAVE to be that alert; but somehow it's not an effort. It just seems to happen naturally. Those attributes aren't affected by the size of the bike; the joys are universal.

Okay, so I can't watch the big game grazing in the bush as I cruise the Lowveld passes; but I can watch the little field mice scampering about on the verges while I wait at a traffic light! Do you notice them from your car?

I don't regret the decision to get a bike; it was one of my better decisions.

If you've heard bad things about motorists and bikes, treat the reports with discretion. I have found our Jo'burg drivers, apart from the few idiots you'll always find, to be extremely friendly and considerate. (Bikers, reciprocate!)

If you're thinking of getting a light bike for commuting, I'd recommend that you have a look at the Honda e-Storm. It's very well put together. Despite being a small bike, Honda seems to have used the big-bike technology as faithfully on this little chap. It looks really good compared to most of it's competitors, and it handles well. It's pricing is at the entry level, competing with the Asian brands. And joy of joys, it has an LED display to tell you which gear you're in! (That's the one thing that confuses the hell out of me!)