Down the Way Where the Knights are Gay.......

Gay he is is not, neither does he promote any gaiety. But guess what? He's not a knight anymore, either! Sir Robert Mugabe appears to have been stripped of his honorary knighthood by the British. (Well done, my Lords and Ladies.)

Watch it, Bra Bobby. May your Presidency be next. I'm hoping that somebody will stuff you into a rum bottle and throw the bottle into Lake Kariba, to float around as a message to mankind for ever and ever.

More Holiday Activities for the Kids

Here are some more winter holiday activities for your kids, brought to you by Jozikids. For more information, visit their website at www.jozikids.co.za

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Now you can even check out what's up these holidays at a library near you.
LIBRARY PROGRAMS Alexandra Children's Library, puppet show, games, fire & safety for 4-14yrs Jul 3,4,8,9,10.
Blackheath Library ,craft activities for 3-9yrs, Jun 23-25,
Boskriun Library ,crafts, the zoo and waterwise for 3-12yrs Jun 26, Jul 3.
Davidsonville Library Roodepoort ,activities for 3-6yrs, Jun 23,24,25,27.
Florida Library, insects, guide dogs and waterwise for 6-12yrs, Jun 24, Jul 1,10.
Glenanda Library, Stories, games, boy/girl talk and a horror movie, Jun 24,26, Jul 3,4,8.
Murray Park Library in Belgravia, science, puzzles and stories for 9-12yrs Jun 27, Jul 8.
Olivedale Library Sandton, snakes, waterwise and storytime for 3-12yrs Jun 27, Jul 4,11.
Rhodes Park Library, storytime, crafts and fire engine demo for 3-9yrs, Jun 25, Jul 2,9.
Roodepoort Library, storytime, movie and waterwise for 3-8yrs Jun 20, July 1,11.
Rosebank Library, make puppets and storytime for 9-12yrs Jul 2.
Sandton Library ,fun activities for 6-9yrs Jun 26.
Strubensvalley Library, crafts, stories and waterwise for 2-6yrs Jun 26, July 3.
Tshepisong Library, be waterwise, reading and teentalk for 3-18yrs Jun 23,25, July 9.
Weltevreden Park Library, Puppet show, crafts, be waterwise, for 3-12yrs, Jun 25,30, Jul 2.
Wilro Park Library, be waterwise for all ages July 7.
Witpoortjie Library, be waterwise for 3- 12, July 9 .
Yeoville Library , storytelling and activities for 3-9yrs, Jun 24.

ARTS/CRAFTS Polka Dot Arts and Craft Studio,Parkhurst has 50% off 1hr art and crafts in Aug holidays.

CAMPS Chartwell Stables Pony Camps for 4-14yrs, July 1-3.

TECHNOLOGY icamp™ Technology Workshops in Roodepoort, Pta, Jhb for 7-14yrs over June/July/Aug holidays.

VARIED Daisychain Primary School Holiday Programme in for 5-12yrs, June 30-July 11.
Bob the Builder at Sandton Square with playful construction site, interactive activities, July 2-6.




JUNE EVENTS
ACTION Snow in the City for ice-skating, snow-fights and more at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, June 22.

BABY SHOW Baba Indaba the baby and parenting expo in Pretoria, June 27-29

BALLET The Selfish Giant by Ballet Bugs Theatre Co. at Wits Theatre in Braamfontein, June 17-28.

HORSE RIDING Champagne Breakfast Outride in Elandsdrift by Shepherd's Fold Stables, June 29.

MARKET Holistic Fayre in Menlo Park, Pretoria June 28,29.

MUSIC Beautiful Creatures Music with Alan Glas & Ed Jordan at Toptots concert, The Wanderers, June 22.

SHOWS Winnie the Pooh at the People's Theatre in Braamfontein, June 2-Aug 9.
Cinderella at National Children's Theatre in Parktown, June 9-July 26.
Madiba Magic at the Roodepoort theatre, May 26–June 28.
Viva Las Vegas May 27th-July 13th at Barnyard Theatre-Broadacres, Jhb.

TRAINS Tshwane Explorer Steam train trip in and around Pretoria by Friends of the Rail, Jun 29,

WORKSHOPS Parent Workshops Nuts and Bolts/ Big Kids Fun by Nikki Bush in Douglasdale, June 19,24,25.

Winter Holiday Ideas from Jozikids

For more information and links to relevent sites, click on this link to the Jozikids site.

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMS

ARTS/CRAFTS Lets Party for craft making workshops in Roodepoort,June 23-27; June 30-July 4; July 7-11
Smudge Art Centre for craft workshops, May 27-June 1, 3-8, 10-15, 17-22.
Kids Art Workshops by Spine Art in Weltevreden Park, June 3,10, 17, 24.
Scribble and Splot Art Classes in Fourways, June 7,27; July 1,4,19.

ANIMALS Esperanza Riding School Holiday Program in Mooiplaats, Pretoria June 23-7
Montecasino Bird Garden Holiday Program in Fourways June 23-July 11.
Holiday Pony Camp at Shepherd's Fold Stables in Elandsdrift, Jhb, July 1-3.

COOKING Ushef Cooking School in Olivedale, Sandton. Jun 25,27,Jul 2,4,9,11
DANCE The Holiday Dance Workshop by Kim Field Dance Academy in Fourway for hip hop, breakdance, tap, acrobatics and more June 23-27, 30-July 4, 7-11.
TENNIS International Tennis Academy in Parkview/Melville, Mini Tennis (3-6yrs) 2hr session or 1/2dy(from 6yrs) 4hrs. June 30-July 4, 7-11.
TEENAGERS Life Empowering & Creativity Workshops for Teenagers in Petervale, Bryanston, July 7-11.
VARIETY Camp Ilanga Day Camp at Kidzville Party Venue in Kempton Park, 30 June-11 July.
Hedgehog Lane in Bryanston for daily fun activities, June 23-July 11.
Jozi's Winter Circus at Gold Reef City June 21-July 12.
Playdays @ Elf's Hill in Chartwell, June 4, 18; July 2,9 30.


HOLIDAY CAMPS
Gecko Valley Performing Arts Camp, Vaal River, June 23-9, 28-July 4, 5-11.
Adventure n Beyond, Krugersdorp, June 22-27.
Bushtrail Holiday Camp in the Magaliesburg, June 21-28; June 28-July 5.
Happy Acres Holiday Camp, in the Magaliesburg, June 21-28; June 28-July 5.
Camp Nelu Holiday Camp, in Nooitgedacht, West Rand, June 21-28; June 28-July 2.
Imbila Edu-Adventures just outside Bronkhorstspruit June 24-29.


FAMILY HOLIDAYS OUTSIDE GAUTENG
ACCOMMOD. SA-Venues.com lists family friendly accomodation nationwide.
Dolphin EnCounters in Mozambique has June holiday special offers.
Coral Tree Guest House in Port Elizabeth offers a free city tour.

SAFETY 4 A Kid products for putting your child's safety first while on holiday or anytime.
Safety For Baby SA "My First Friendly Harness” is a harness & backpack to keep your child safe.




UPCOMING EVENTS
BOOKS Book Fair Joburg public library book sale for great deals at Marks Park in Emmerentia, June 1

BREAKFASTS E Rand Baby & Toddler Morning w/ Sam Cowan, fashion show, breakfast, Benoni Lake Club, June 7.
Champagne Breakfast Outride in Elandsdrift by Shepherd's Fold Stables, June 29.

DANCE The Selfish Giant by Ballet Bugs Theatre Company at Wits Theatre in Braamfontein, June 17-28.

MARKETS Craft Day at Bryanston Organic Market June 14.
Holistic Fayre in Blairgowrie May31-June 1, Boksburg June 7,8.
Irene Market in Pretoria, May 31

MUSIC Philippe Graffin's Violin Fairy at UJ in Auckland Park, specially for kids, June 9.
Beautiful Creatures Music with Alan Glas & Ed Jordan at Toptots concert, The Wanderers, June 22.
THEATRE/SHOWS Winnie the Pooh at the People's Theatre in Braamfontein, June 2-Aug 9.
Cinderella at National Children's Theatre in Parktown, June 9-July 26.
Madiba Magic at the Roodepoort theatre, May 26–June 28.
Creative Puppets Holiday Program with String Puppets in Randburg, June 28, July 5,12,19..

TRAINS Tshwane Explorer Steam train trip in and around Pretoria by Friends of the Rail, Jun 16, 29,

WALKS/HIKES Alberts Farm and Melville Koppies Central walks Jun 1, 8, 15

Regards
The Jozikids Team
info@jozikids.co.za
011 482 4310
www.jozikids.co.za

Antarctica's Long Night

A New Zealand newspaper reported that one of the last shipments to a USA research base in Antarctica, before the onset of the dark winter, contained 16 500 condoms.

Talk about being frozen stiff ....

Probably keeps them dry and protected from frostbite. Hang in there, guys, spring will come again.

Jozikids - June Events

From the Jozikids team:

Since we don't want to overload you with too much information this week, this newsletter will ONLY focus on our June events calender which now also includes 2 new ongoing categories:

Party venue open days
Library storytime
We are in the process of expanding our coverage of libraries that provide storytime and other services for children in Gauteng, firstly to the East Rand and then, Pretoria. We will add new ones as we find them.

The party venues mentioned below open their doors to the public at an extremely affordable rate for a couple of hours a week.

If you are planning holiday activities for your children please don't forget to make use of our Winter Holiday (1) and (2) newsletters.



JUNE EVENTS
FATHERS DAY Boat Cruise and Buffet on the banks of the Vaal River at Stonehaven on the Vaal, June 15.
Alberts Farm and Melville Koppies Central walks Jun 15.
Walk at The Wilds with TJ in Houghton for the family with a picnic on June 15th.
Magaliesburg Express, a diesel hauled train ride from Jhb to the Magaliesburg June 15.
Zwartkops Quad Centre in Centurion, 2 free rides for dad on June 15.

ACTION Wild Cave Adventures go abseiling any Sunday in the Cradle of Humankind area below Krugersdorp.

ARTS & CRAFTS Make backpacks and handbags at Smudge Art Centre in Craighall Park, June 10-15.

BREAKFASTS Champagne Breakfast Outride in Elandsdrift by Shepherd's Fold Stables, June 29.

DANCE The Selfish Giant by Ballet Bugs Theatre Co. at Wits Theatre in Braamfontein, June 17-28.

LIBRARY STORYTIME On Mondays in Parkview, Phiri(Soweto) and Westbury.
On Tuesdays in Geluksdal East(E Rand) and Davidsonville(Roodepoort).
On Wednesdays in Emmarentia, Linden, Phiri, Sandton, Rosebank and Randburg.
On Thursdays in Rivonia, Weltevreden Pk and Westbury(Jhb) and Birchleigh North (E Rand).
On Fridays in Olivedale, Roodepoort and Phiri.

MARKETS Craft Day at Bryanston Organic Market June 14.

MUSIC Beautiful Creatures Music with Alan Glas & Ed Jordan at Toptots concert, The Wanderers, June 22.
PARTY VENUE OPEN DAYS Jungle Tots in Midrand on Mon, Wed, Fri from 1-5pm.
Drakes Party Farmyard in Linbro Park on Mon, Wed from 9am-5pm.
Earth Kids Play Patchin Kyalami on Tues, Wed, Thurs from 2-5pm.
Tumbleweeds in Chartwell on Tues from 12am-5pm.
Kinglets and Queenies in Ruimsig on Wed from 12am-5pm, booking essential.

SHOWS Mummenschanz at the State Theatre in Pta, June 11-15.
Winnie the Pooh at the People's Theatre in Braamfontein, June 2-Aug 9.
Cinderella at National Children's Theatre in Parktown, June 9-July 26.
Madiba Magic at the Roodepoort theatre, May 26–June 28.
The Little Mermaid June 25-28 at Barnyard Theatre-Menlo Park, Pta.
Viva Las Vegas May 27th-July 13th at Barnyard Theatre-Broadacres, Jhb.

TRAINS Tshwane Explorer Steam train trip in and around Pretoria by Friends of the Rail, Jun 16, 29,

WORKSHOPS Parent Workshops Nuts and Bolts/ Big Kids Fun by Nikki Bush in Douglasdale, June 19,24,25.

Please be sure to check the expiry date of any special deals mentioned in these newsletters on the site. If they no longer appear, they are no longer valid.

We welcome your feedback. If there's something we have missed, please email us with your suggestions. Meanwhile, please share this with your friends and encourage them to sign up for the FREE newsletter.

Regards
The Jozikids Team
info@jozikids.co.za
011 482 4310
www.jozikids.co.za

Naked man causes commotion in Bloemfontein

Okay, that was the headline of an article in today's Mail & Guardian - but this is one instance where I feel that I would be robbing the paper by even trying to relay the story or comment on it! Here's the link to the article - you have to see it in the original form!

The Unshakable.

Our unshakable President ...Thank you, Zapiro, for reminding us that some things, at least, are consistent here.

....(Cartoon by Zapiro © JONATHAN SHAPIRO. 30-5-2008)

Jozikids - Help Xenophobia Victims

Jozikids would like to add its voice to those expressing outrage at the recent outbreaks of violence against innocent people in our country.

We have created a link on the Jozikids homepage called Help xenophobia victims designed to make it easy for you to find ways of helping the 1000s of families rendered homeless and desperate. If you click on the link you will find a list of organisations in Gauteng that are collecting donations, asking for volunteers and helping to coordinate these relief efforts. The organisations are arranged by area, each with their own contact details, email and website addresses. There is a JUMP TO menu where you can click on the area that interests you.

So far we have just over 30 organisations listed on our site but are aware that there are many more out there. Please contact us if you know of any others we can add to this list.

Meanwhile, please share this with your friends and encourage them to sign up for this FREE Jozikids newsletter.

Regards
The Jozikids Team
info@jozikids.co.za
011 482 4310
www.jozikids.co.za

Making Provision?

This morning's Mail & Guardian reports that three ATMs were blown up in Gauteng in the early hours of this morning - one in Strijdom Park, Randburg, another in Attridgeville and the third in Orange Farm:

"Three ATMs blown up in Gauteng
Johannesburg, South Africa
30 May 2008 09:05

In a series of three ATM bombings in less than half a day in Gauteng, gangs of robbers on Friday morning made off with undisclosed sums of cash." (Read the full story ...)

I guess they're saving up for Eskom's proposed 53% electricity price hike....? They can't borrow at the new interest rates .... and they weren't after foreign currency...

Xenophobia - The Message

I'll lay this subject to rest now. The country is reeling from the event and calls against the xenophobia are being made on every level - from government, to celebrities, to community service ads. From the people who "have".

But I have a closing message to our President: This was not about xenophobia. This is about a huge section of the population who are desperate and are striking out in their desperation. You and your government have failed this land in terms of service delivery to the poor. Instead of helping the poor, they are getting poorer and beyond hope - and their numbers are increasing rapidly. Your weak leadership in the Zimbabwean crisis did nothing to help to stabilize the sub-continent, or to build confidence in you. We, the common folk of the nation, have no idea of what you're doing. There is little visible leadership from you.

Beware. When the people stop lashing out at foreigners, they will lash out elsewhere. They are angry and have little to lose. The xenophobia must be stopped, as we all agree, but that is a symptom. You will not have solved the problem.

It's time to identify and install the right people in the right posts, who place the salvation of this land and our people above their personal political ambitions; or their idealistic visions conceived in comfortable studies. And it needs to be done fast - while the country is still governable.

The Saga Continues ...

Reports indicate that the xenophobic attacks appear to be abating, although there are still outbursts in some areas. The death toll is reported to be 42. Estimates of the number of people displaced vary from about 16,000 to about 20,000.

Two of the quotes reported in today's Mail & Guardian, by people in Alexandra, speak volumes about what we can expect in the future:

'Alexandra resident Resident Florah Khwerana said: "People are tired, this is not going to stop now."

She said the government and dignitaries who visited the township in the wake of the violence and condemned the violence were making the situation worse.

"They are living the good life ... they don't know how we live. It's like the government is against its own people and this is making us more angry," she said.

Khwerana said residents were very angry.

"How can everyone provide food at the police station for them and here there are our own people hungry. They don't provide for their own." '

And ...

'A man identified himself as "Zest" said the idea that foreigners took jobs belonging to South Africans was "ridiculous".

"I don't agree. South Africans are hopeless in that way ... when they [foreigners] are gone, who are they going to blame for not having jobs?" he said.

He said there were too many foreigners, but this was the government's fault.

"Why couldn't South Africa build refugee camps? Instead they're here," he said.

"There is too many of them, they have turned the [Johannesburg] CBD into a refugee camp. You walk around and you don't even hear one of the languages you speak." ' - Mail & Guardian, 23rd May, 2008.


Whether the number of foreigners in the country has a significant impact on the general state of poverty or not, they are not the initial cause of the poverty. The people are angry and the proverbial pot has boiled over. All the talking in the world by Government will not rescue the situation. Those talking are seen to be the wealthy, who do not have to suffer the daily misfortunes of the suffering. They cannot be seen to have genuine empathy. Government has a dismal record of empty words and insufficient delivery. Spending fortunes on one investigative commission after another is simply seen to be money misdirected.

What a sad state of affairs with which to celebrate the 90th birthday of that giant of a man, Nelson Mandela. What kind of a sad image is conjured up of his successors - indecisive, inefficient, unreliable little people scampering about ineffectively in the shadow of his legend?

Xenophobia

Xenophobia - the fear of foreigners - has been bottled up and building up pressure in this country for quite some time. Tragically, it has erupted into uncontrolled violence in the Johannesburg area over the past three or four nights, shattering the lives of already-battered Zimbabwean nationals.

By this morning's count, five people had already lost their lives, with another 50 injured. It started in Alexandra, very near to where I live, and has spread to the rest of the city. Mobs of people, reportedly mainly Zulus, target Zimbabwe nationals, beat them up, steal their belongings and set fire to their shacks. Zimbabweans are fleeing in terror and seeking shelter in police stations.

Shortages of jobs in this country have resulted in a huge influx of South Africans to the Johannesburg vicinity - the so-called "rich" area - in search of work. However, about a third of the population in this area is now unemployed. (I know that first hand - I've been searching for employment for over a year now.)

Therefore, when Zimbabweans flock across the border to this country to escape the abject poverty and brutality in their own country and to seek a livelihood here, a section of the local population resents them for the added burden they place on the local job market, be it in the formal or in the informal sector.

One can understand the fears and resentment of the locals - too many of whom cannot put food on the table - but for anyone who knows the reality of Zimbabwe, one must cry for the Zimbabwean people.

The question burning inside me is: Why is that (in my opinion) menace to humanity, Robert Mugabe, allowed to terrorize the Zimbabwe electorate ahead of a presidential run-off, when he should be in The Hague answering charges of crimes against humanity? And how can the South African President still maintain that it is an internal Zimbabwean affair? I'm not sure what Mbeki is doing about the Zimbabwe crisis, but that which is apparent to me prompts me to think of that old saying: "If you're going to lead, lead. If you're going to follow, follow. If you're not going to do either, then get out of the way."

Jozikids - Toys, Books or Gifts for Children

For more on these, or to link to the sites mentioned, go to www.jozikids.co.za

Do you need ideas about where to find quality toys, books or gifts for children that will not break after a few weeks? There are several categories on the site that list companies that do just this. This issue will direct you to some of them.

TOYS
You will find the following companies listed in a section on the site called to shop-toys

NEW Eco Kids Toy Shop in Bryanston, specialises in Waldorf toys, wooden and metal. No Plastic.
Educational Toy Centre in Highlands North for educational games and toys that help stimulate learning.
Green Living have educational & play eco-friendly wooden toys for babies and toddlers.
Greenbusters in Greenside for imported wooden toys, educ. games, craft-making accessories.
Habitot is an online toyshop with wooden and other quality toys on offer.
Ladder of Learning in Fourways has educational toys, books, games and puzzles.
Parkview Toys and Ballet has a range of educational, fantasy, craft-related toys and more.
Polly Potter in Parkhurst specializes in imported and unique toys not available on the mass market.
Smile Education Gillytots teams in Gauteng offer educ. toys and support products for kids & parents.
Think Toys shops in Gauteng offer high quality toys plus books, music and audiobooks.
Time Out Toys is an online store offering high quality, durable and unique educational toys.
the African Toyshop in Milpark & Parkhurst with crafted toys sourced from 14 African countries.
Toddlers Warehouse in Kempton Park has wooden educ toys, rocking horses, wooden puzzles etc.

USED Charlie Buckets Toy Exchange and The Playpen and Toyden in Blairgowrie are where your child can exchange their quality old toys for new ones. Their selection includes toys, games, puzzles, fantasy play, books, construction games etc.
www.mybabybuys.co.za for buying and selling any baby goods online for free!!!

CONSTRUCT Fischertechnik for imported German, quality construction toys. Aspirant technicians design construction sets that are very close to reality or build cars, robots, carousels and more.

SCIENCE Experilab in Boksburg and Fountainebleau in Randburg offer a range of science and technology toys.

CRAFTS The Fun Box is a craft activity box for kids from 3yrs.

BOOKS
The following companies can be found in a section on the site called to read-books. Several of the toy shops mentioned above also stock books.

Books for All Ages and Topic for children's books, audiobooks, activity packs, teacher /parent resource books, cook books, gift packs, fiction titles for all ages plus educational workbooks.
Reader's Paradise Bookstore for activity, ladybird, princess Disney books, classics and more.
The Brainfood Company for activity books in several languages, career guides, readers and more.

CDs/DVDs
You will find the companies mentioned here listed in a section on the site called to shop-CD/DVDs

MUSIC Beautiful Creatures featuring Ed Jordan, Alan Glass and a host of great South African artists.
Be Sharp Beetles is a music education program for kids from 0-8yrs. They produce their own CDs.
Under African Skies produced by African Cream Music is a collection of African Folktales to music.
Des and Dawn Lindberg have several CDs including "The Singing Times Tables", "Unicorns, Spiders and Dragons' Tales" and "How did I begin".

COMPUTER Experilab in Fuzz and Ditto "In the Game Reserve" and "At the Sea" are locally produced, relevant educational CD's for kids from 4 yrs.

PREVIOUS JOZIKID'S NEWSLETTERS
You can now access all back copies of our newsletters by logging onto the site with your username and password. On your profile page you will find a special section for accessing archived newsletters which you can then either view or email to yourself or others. Contact us if you need help to find your username and password.

Regards
The Jozikids Team
info@jozikids.co.za
011 482 4310
www.jozikids.co.za

Phone Overseas for Less

Worldchat enables you to get in touch with loved ones and friends all over the world at very low costs. You can connect to over 260 counties worldwide.
Airtime can be used in South Africa, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries.

International Pre-Paid Calling Cards are available in R25, R50, R100 & R200 denominations to suit everyone's pocket. These cards allow you access to all Worldchat international destinations at the lowest prices!

Mother's Day

Flowers for Mom on Mother's Day?



Or, here's a plan: Sign her up at Bid or Buy, then between now and Father's Day, she'll be able to clean out the garage and have money to buy your Father's Day gift, acting entirely intuitively on your less than subtle hints from scanning the auctions!



Or, of course, you could do both.

Either way, make it a special one. She's worth it.

Jozikids - Day Outings

From the Jozikids newsdesk. If you need more details, please click on the link to their site:

Do you need ideas about what to do with your family on Mother's Day or any other day? Let's take a look at where you can find a range of possibilities on Jozikids. We'll start with Mother's Day events, then a couple of upcoming shows and finally a guide to the section on Jozikids devoted to day outings called to go.

For those of you interested in accessing back copies of our newsletters, we have provided you with links to them at the very end.


MOTHER'S DAY EVENTS
ACTION Wilro Cycle Challenge for the more athletic at Maropeng in Hekpoort, Cradle of Mankind.
Wild Cave Adventures for abseiling into a wild cavern in small groups near Cradle of Mankind.

CRAFTS Smudge Art Centre in Craighall Park, has tea and cake for mum, while the kids make hand puppets.

FOOD Indulgence in Northcliff has lamb on the spit with live music. Kids under 8yrs eat for free.
Fossil Family Kitchen in Pretoria has a Sunday Roast.
Zwartkops Quad Centre in Centurion has a champagne breakfast including 5 laps on a quad bike.

MUSIC Johannesburg Zoo Picnic to the sounds of the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra.
TRAINS Bela Bela Steam Train Ride with Friends of the Rail from Paul Kruger Station, Pretoria.
Magaliesburg Express is also a steam train ride leaving from Maraisburg Station, Johannesburg.
WALKS Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve guided walk in Mondeor. Spot animals while you walk.
Melville Koppies Central walk with optional guided tours. Recommended from 8 yrs.
Walk at The Wilds with TJ in Houghton, a leisurely 2hr spring snack-pack stroll.



UPCOMING SHOWS
MAY 2008 SA Ballet Theatre Open Day - Warm-up class, performances from 2 upcoming productions. May 10th
Madiba Magic at Roodepoort Theatre. May 26.


JUNE 2008 Winnie the Pooh at People's Theatre in Braamfontein. June 2-Aug 9.
Cinderella at National Children's Theatre in Parktown. June 9-July 26.
The Selfish Giant by Ballet Bugs Theatre Company at Wits Theatre in Braamfontein. June 17-28.
Beautiful Creatures Music with Alan Glas & Ed Jordan at Toptots concert, The Wanderers. June 22.



DAY OUTINGS
Indoor Action - snowboarding, ice skating, go-karting, slot car racing, ten pin bowling and playgrounds.
Outdoor Action - adventure golf, sandboarding, cycling, quadbiking, go-karting, kayaking, river rafting.
Animals - farmyards, wild animal nature reserves, bird parks, zoos, reptile park, crocodile farm, cheetah or elephant sanctuary, aquarium.
Farms - cheese, strawberry and trout fishing farms.
Horse Riding - in game reserve, pony rides, outrides and trails.
Markets - in Bryanston an organic market or East Rand craft markets.
Museums - for transport, medicine, gold mining, cultural or art history, science/technology, planetarium, humankinds origins and astrology.
Parks/Gardens - botanical gardens, nature reserves and parks.
Theme Parks, Playgrounds and Child-friendly Restaurants.

We welcome your feedback. If there's something we have missed, please email us with your suggestions. Meanwhile, please share this with your friends and encourage them to sign up for the FREE newsletter.


Regards
The Jozikids Team
info@jozikids.co.za
011 482 4310
www.jozikids.co.za

Land of Choices

South Africa is certainly a land of choices! It used to be that when a kid woke up in the morning (on a non-school day), it was a case of "What am I going to do today?" But now, there are so many choices to make!

The new early morning greeting is: "Is there 'lectricity?"

The answer is not Yes or No, because this is NOW, not five minutes ago. It's: "Hang on, I'll check .......yes, there is."

"Okay, then I'll bath now and wash my hair, 'cause I can blow dry it.... Please boil the kettle for some coffee! Oh ... how long has it been on?

"It's been on since I've been up, so you'd better hurry if you want to still use the hair drier."

"Okay ... where's the charger, where's the charger? I must charge my cell phone!"

Of course, if the answer was No, the choices are different.

"Who bathed? Is there still hot water?"
"Seems to be, but you'd better watch it carefully. Juice or milk?"
"Juice. Where's my gel? I can't wash my hair!"
"Unless you wait four hours ...."
"Decisions, decisions......"

Should I go to the bank, or should I phone first and check that they have power? CAN I phone - how's my battery? Do I use the elevator, or the staircase? If the power came on recently, chances are that I can ride. If it's been on for quite a while, too risky.

Last night, while I was watching the television news at 7pm, she nipped down to a friend's flat for a few minutes. She'd hardly left the flat when the power went off. My immediate fear was that she might be stuck in the elevator. I phoned immediately.

"Hi, where are you?"

"I've only just left you!" she said exasperated. "what do you think I'm up to? I'm rolling a joint, swigging a vodka and talking to strangers!"

"Oh, okay, Sweetie, as long as you're not in the lift ......"

Baggage losses at SAA

Today's Mail & Guardian has a report about baggage losses at South African Airways, which is rather disturbing. Apparently in the three month period of 1st December to 29th February, a staggering 7,868 items of luggage were reported missing at Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London airports.

It reminded me of an incident many, many years ago when I worked for SAA. I decided to keep a diary of my overseas flights - crews, what we did, incidents, and so on. After the very first entry (thankfully), my suitcase went missing somewhere between here and Lisbon! (The only time it happened to me, I might add, in three years.) I wasn't worried about the clothes or anything else that might have been in the bag. Just the Diary! It scared the daylights out of me that some stranger somewhere would be reading my diary. I never attempted it again!

Moral of the story? If you're travelling to S.A., don't journalise it - just Blog it!

Pinay Jade, Just For You!

Mwah! Good old South Africa, even during a power failure.
I know, I shouldn't be allowed to use a camera.... but anyway, these are part of the Drakensberg Mountain range, taken in the Royal Natal National Park.

Pipedreamer....the Man!

And I wonder why I can't quit my pipe!

That is me, more than a half century ago! My father thought that an empty little pipe was more dignified than a pacifier. I couldn't have agreed more. But quitting wouldn't be easy.

Thankfully, I wasn't a bottle baby.

Mind you, I guess that might expalin a couple of things too ......