South Africa is a nation with a long history of conflict based on religous, cultural and racial lines. The Dutch settled in Cape Town in order to dominate the vital trade routes with the east. Portuguese struggled to gain a foothold. British triumphed for a while. Boer fought against British. French fled persecution. Xhosa fled persecution. Zulu and Shona fled persecution. White controlled black. Apartheid was institutionalised racism.

Over all these years what did we actually fight each other for? Money and power. Power gave money – an ancient rule that still holds true today.

As a white South African male I stand astride and understand the apartheid and post apartheid era. A bit like the Soutpiel of old I have one foot mired in the past and one foot in the present.

Like my peers I acknowledge the injustice of the old system and suffer the injustice of the new. It seems to be an accepted fact that only white people can be justifiably labelled racist and this brings a lot of stress to my interactions with fellow South Africans. Small examples: When my dog barks at my white neighbours and white people walking in the street I feel a smidgen of pride in her protectiveness, BUT, when she barks at my black neighbours or black people walking in the street I cannot help but feel they think I am a tacit racist that encourages his dog to bark at them. Or, when approaching suspicious people in our neighbourhood – I feel no compunction in calling a spade a spade when those suspicious persons are white, BUT, am concerned of being accused a racist if I dish out the same ruthless attitude to suspicious black people.

In fact, as far as my dog is concerned I always explain her protectiveness away by saying that she is an “equal opportunity barker!”

Now dealing with my apologetic racist guilt is easy enough as I am comfortable within myself that I do treat everyone almost equally. I say almost as I apply higher standards of expected behaviour to people who cannot accuse me of being racist. This thinking, I am sure, is incorrect and unfair towards all my fellow men. But, it is a necessary survival mechanism within the climate we find ourselves. Too many people in power are quick to accuse people of being racist when it fits their nefarious agendas. The equation is simple – white people started apartheid, ergo white people are bad. The jury is still out on whether this gives the present regime license to put measures in place to strip the adherents of the former regime of wealth.

Murder has become commonplace and hardly seems to ruffle enyone’s feathers anymore, but, a good juicy racist story will instantly garner headlines with numerous column centimetres being devoted to analysis by ‘experts’ in the field of racial harmony. And, even better if that story turns the tables on any of the present regime in power.

Somewhere along the line we have lost that loving feeling (I feel like breaking into song right now!). The first five years of our democracy were wide eyed with wonder as we embraced each other’s cultures and differences and then the long hard slog to actually make a difference set in and, what did we do? We polarised everyone again. Except this time we introduced a new twist in a headlong rush for the money to go with the power and the rot started setting in.

I get the feeling that those in power expect that they are entitled to the trappings of power to the detriment of those that they should serve. Ever get the feeling that a minister is slumming it ‘with the people’ in order to get votes and not in order to actually make a difference?

Do we as a nation have to spend billions on events like the FIFA World Cup in order to become one again? Or, can that not be achieved through simple gestures of goodwill and uniting in a common goal to uplift all? Where is our next Nelson Mandela who, through simple humility and love, will lead South Africa to the promised land of harmony, ubuntu and a better life for all that we seek?

Simple question: If someone had told you 15 years ago that one of South Africa’s next presidents would be a polygamist accused of fraud and rape would you have believed them? But, we all believed that a man accused of treason and incarcerated for 27 years would become president of South Africa. What is the glaring difference between these two men? One through grace and humility has assessed the wealth and love of a grateful nation without even asking, the other appears to be grabbing and holding on to wealth whilst only giving love to lots of women.

I certainly do not want the next president of South Africa to be a rich cadre. I want to see a man of humility, a man of the people, someone with quiet steely determination, prepared to call a spade a spade and show us the benefit of uniting as one nation in order to become what we all dream. Excellence begets excellence. Be excellent at what you do and people will reward you in the long term.

Two NMMU Business Management lecturers Chantal Rootman and Prof Madele Tait are among 17 authors that contributed to a book originally written by “the father of Marketing” Phillip Kotler.

Prof Tait was asked to be the South African editor of this book that has contibuting authors from the University of Cape Town, University of Johannesburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Tshwane University of Technology and University of the Free State.

Pearson Education obtained the license to adapt the book for the South African landscape. The book is titled: “Principles of Marketing: Southern African and global perspectives”.

The book launch takes place on 15 March 2010 in Cape Town.

Chantal Rootman and Prof Madele Tait

The following four messages are from the Observatory Google Group – ostensibly set up to fight crime but now having become an electronically motivated slagging arena – get a room guys!

First Message to Obs Neighbourhood Watch List Administrator (A Google Group):

Please take my name off this list.

Many thanks,

Louise xxxxxx

Second Message – Reply from Administrator:

Instructions above included in EVERY email

Txxxxx

3rd Message:

Txxxxx, may I suggest you attempt to use the instructions to remove oneself from the list and then give us a lesson to do so.

I run a business where I employ numerous people. I have made it to just about forty years of age without electrocuting, hanging or drowning myself.

I don’t think I am completely stupid. I do, however, accept that I might be mistaken with this assumption.

Believe me, if I could take myself off this list, I fxxxxxg would.

So instead of your conceited parroting “INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE INCLUDED IN EVERY EMAIL”, rather try it for yourself, then re-subscribe and teach us less clever than yourself how to successfully unsubscribe.

Lxxxxx, I believe I have been unsuccessfully trying to take myself off this list for two or three years. You have my sympathies.

Nxxxx Cxxxxxx

4th Message:

It does work. Just make sure that it is from the address you wish to unsubscribe. If all else fails, logon onto the group here: http://groups.google.com/group/obsnw?hl=en

Txxxxx is correct to mention that these instructions with simpler wording are on the bottom of all the group emails.

Regards

Axxxxx Fxxx

5th Message – Administrator has a ‘bitch slap moment’:

Fxxxxxg bitch to Google since it is their fucking software that you can’t fxxxxxg work.

Txxxxx

Very Nice guys, very nice. Great to see the guys in Observatory working together as a team. Good Luck with the neighbourhood watch. Dankie vir die mags, hulle lyk heel mooi op my motor!

There are three sides to global warming: those that believe it and those that don’t and then the growing third side, those that believe it but don’t feel or care that they can do much about it. And these three sides are the topic of this article: Is climate change real and due to human activities, do our actions matter, and if it does, when should we start acting?

It would be nice to ask an independent person if global warming is real. Someone who has collated and rigorously synthesized all the existing evidence and who will provide an objective and impartial answer. Such a person exists in the form of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), established 20 years ago. The role of the IPCC is to review all scientific information and report on all relevant aspects of climate change. Scientists world-wide contribute without being paid to the IPCC reports. Reports undergo a rigorous review process and summary reports are accepted and approved line by line.  Their work awarded them the Nobel Peace Price in 2007, which they shared with Al Gore.

In their fourth assessment, published in 2008 to which more than 2700 scientists contributed, three main reports were published, which addresses whether climate change is real and due to human activities, what are the impacts of climate change and what response strategies exist.

The first report concluded that climate change is due to increases in greenhouse gases emitted by human activities and not because of a “natural” rise in global temperature. Findings showed that atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (see box) have not been at current levels for as far back as 650 000 years. There are many direct observations of climate change which include: eleven of the last 15 years rank amongst the warmest this century, mountain glaciers and snow cover have declined, extreme weather events are increasing and global ocean temperatures have increased. This is contributing to sea level rises because warm water expands. These changes have already begun to influence human and natural systems for example increases in deaths due to extreme weather events and reduced growing season for crops.

Particular to this article, the IPCC reports noted that behavioural and lifestyle changes helps to reduce GHG emissions. In another study, Stanford biologists found that each individual action is like a wedge; it might start out small, but as more people participate and the size of the effort grows, so does the effect of the action. Imagine if 6.5 bn people did one small action; collectively the effect is huge. And the sooner you get started the better. Published in 2007 the Stern report reviewed the economics of climate change and concluded that immediate action strongly outweighs the costs. The longer we wait, the more it will cost.

Still not convinced that small actions make a difference?

Shifting just one red meat meal per week to fruit and veggies saves more than 2000 kilometers worth of driving. Recycling 1 tin will save 95% of the energy used to make it. The recent regulation passed by Obama to change the fuel efficiency of all USA vehicles to 6.2 km/ liter will save more than 40 mn barrels of oil/ year.

Here are some tips for reducing your carbon footprint:

1. Turn the thermostat of your geyser down to 55°C and wrap a geyser blanket (available at hardware stores) around it. This action halved our electricity bill.
2. Reduce your driving speed – Driving from Cape Town to Jeffreys Bay at an average of 100km/ hr and not my usual 120km/hr, saved half a tank of fuel.
3. When you are having a cup of tea, fill the kettle for one cup of tea.
4. Switch appliances off at the wall – home appliances, like your TV uses standby power even when not switched on. (The same counts for your cell phone)
5. Eat red meat one day less a week.

For more information on the IPCC visit www.ipcc.ch

This article was written by Susan Botha, who holds a MSc in Botany from UCT and is a trained permaculturist. She co-owns Kouga Urban Harvest Edible Gardens in Jeffreys Bay with her sister Jakkie Botha. See www.urbanharvest.co.za

You can also contact Ben in Cape Town on 072 475 2977.

On 11 May, Brad Geyser, NSRI Hout Bay station commander said: “At 17h26 NSRI Hout Bay activated both of our rescue craft, MTU Nadine Gordimer and Albie Matthews to go to the assistance of the 8 metre fishing boat Cape Fear, with a crew of 5 aboard, reporting to be experiencing engine failure, 22 nautical miles South West of Cape Point, in progressively worsening sea conditions (with a cold front moving in on the area) and with fading light.

NSRI Simonstown had been monitoring the casualty fishing boats progress since 17h00 when she had reported to be experiencing engine failure after her engines were flooded after a wave swamped her engines while her crew were carrying out a minor repair to the thermostat on one of the engines.

Although the crew of 5 aboard the casualty fishing boat were in no immediate danger at 17h26 the decision was made to launch our NSRI Hout Bay rescue craft to go to their assistance as a precautionary measure due to the progressively worsening weather and the progressively worsening sea conditions.

While both of our NSRI rescue craft were heading in the direction of Cape Fear the skipper of the casualty craft reported that they had managed to get one of the motors running and they were heading (limping) towards Hout Bay.

The fishing boat Hotstuff, which was in the area of the casualty boat at the time, diverted and stood-by at Cape Fear as a precautionary measure.

Our NSRI rescue craft reached Cape Fear at Cape Point and together with the fishing boat Hotstuff we escorted Cape Fear into Hout Bay harbour and once safely in the harbour no further assistance was required.

Surprisingly sea conditions and the weather moderated considerably as this operation progressed and the last leg of the escort to Hout Bay harbour, from Cape Point, where we had rendezvoused with Cape Fear, was completed in only 1 metre swell, a 10 knot North Westerly wind and with Cape Fear motoring at a comfortable speed of 10 knots on one engine.”

The importance of having communication with family or friends when at sea was once again highlighted recently.

Earlier this month the Mossel Bay Harbour Master contacted the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) in Cape Town about a phone call that he had received from the wife of the skipper regarding an incident off the coast of Madagascar.

The skipper of the yacht had contacted his wife via his SatPhone informing her that his yacht, the Erica, had run aground off the west coast of Madagascar. He was on a life raft with the EPIRB onboard.

The MRCC Cape Town attempted to inform the MRCC Madagascar, however due to language difficulties and equipment failure in Madagascar they could not be contacted. The MRCC contacted the South African embassy in Madagascar who gave them contact details of someone at the Nossi Be yacht club who would be able to assist them in their search and rescue mission. Fortunately there were yachts in the area that immediately headed towards the life raft.

At the same time the South African Embassy staff assisted in mobilizing the Madagascar SAR authorities which dispatched a coastguard vessel to assist the yacht crew. The crew was rescued off the yacht’s life-raft which had been tied to a mangrove tree. They were met by the South African embassy staff in Nossi Be, Madagascar.

The South African registered yacht Sea Jade left St Helena Island on 4 April with one crewmember on board. It was bound for either Walvis Bay or Cape Town, depending on the weather. When the yacht was 3 days overdue for its arrival at Walvis Bay, concerned family members reported it to the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) Cape Town.

The MRCC Cape Town broadcast a Safety Net message for all shipping in the area to keep a look out for the Sea Jade.

On Wednesday the 29 April the vessel Amalia observed the Sea Jade adrift at sea 450 miles South of St Helena Island. There were no signs of life onboard.

There was no response to calls on VHF or ships whistle. Due to bad weather the Amalia could not launch a lifeboat to investigate. The MRCC Cape Town instructed the Amalia to stay on the scene until the weather improved and it was safe to board the yacht.

The Captain of the Amalia reported that they had been within 5 meters of the yacht and three attempts had been made to board had been unsuccessful due to worsening weather conditions.

The Captain abandoned further attempts to board the yacht. The crew had thrown objects against the yacht in order to provoke a response but there had been no reaction or any signs of life on the vessel.
Both vessels were rolling heavily, making any attempts to make physical contact extremely difficult and hazardous to the crew.

The Master of the AMALIA requested permission to proceed with their voyage and was released on Friday as the weather conditions was making any attempts to board the yacht extremely hazardous for the crew..

The MRCC Cape Town requested another vessel that was in the area, the bulk carrier Friendly Seas, to proceed to the yacht in the hope that the weather conditions would improve thereby allowing the boarding of the vessel to take place and allow for a search of the yacht. The Friendly Seas arrived at 9.30am on Saturday 2nd MAY. The crew managed to board the yacht and after an extensive search could not find any signs of life onboard. The vessel was released to continue on its voyage and the required navigational warnings were issued.

The family was informed of the situation and they are making arrangements to recover the yacht.

At present there are a total of 156 registered political parties in South Africa, 117 of them registered as National parties and the following local only party registrations: 6 in the Eastern Cape, 2 in the Free State, 60 for Gauteng, 2 in Mpumalanga, 1 in the Northern Cape, 5 in Limpopo, 3 in the North West and the Western Cape with 14.

I am willing to bet that you would struggle to name a maximum of 10 National Political Parties.

The IEC web site provides you with a search box to find Political parties but no easy way to get a full alphabetised list of all registered and cancelled political parties in South Africa.

After many days of data mining MyCapeTown can finally present the following alphabetised list of South African Political Parties that may appear on a ballot paper near you during the 22 April 2009 Elections.

What we find disappointing is that only 19 of the registered political parties possess web sites. Just how we as internet citizens must interpret this ‘insult’ remains to be seen:

Logo	Name and Contact Details	Web Site	Manifesto
	A Party Contact Person: Anthony Penderis Party Tel: 021 8156046 Party Fax: Postal Address:P.O. Box 1164, Somerset West, 7130
	Abolition of Income Tax and Usury Party – AITUP Contact Person: SM Goodson Party Tel: 028 2738887 Party Fax: 028 2738887 Postal Address: P. O. Box 360, Pringle Bay, 7196	Abolish Tax
	Action Labour Party of South Africa – A.L.P.S.A. Contact Person: Soobramoney Guruven Party Tel: 031 5051370 Party Fax: Postal Address: 75 Hemside Crescent, Unit 20, Caneside, Phoenix, 4051
	Adelaide Residents Association – ARA Contact Person: George De Lange Party Tel: 072 9104 910src=”elections/ Party Fax: 046 6840000 Postal Address: Bible Zone, Market Square, Adelaide, 5760
	Africa Muslim Party – AMP Contact Person: W Hassiem Party Tel: 021 975 7862 Party Fax: 021 975 7863 Postal Address: 10 Rodger Street, Valmary Park, Durbanville, 7550
	African Bond of Unity – ABU Contact Person: Mrs Cheryl Philander Party Tel: 021 3763126src=”elections/ Party Fax: Postal Address: 1 Buick Crescent, Beacon Valley, Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, 0000
	African Christian Alliance – ACA Contact Person: Mr Petrus Johannes van der Westhuizen Party Tel: 012 800 1633 Party Fax: 012 800 1633 Postal Address: P.O. Box 98134, Waterkloof Heights, Pretoria – Tshwane, 0065
	African Christian Democratic Party – ACDP Contact Person: Mr Bruce C. Harbour Party Tel: 011 869 3941 Party Fax: 011 869 3942 Postal Address: P.O. Box 2417, Durbanville, 7551	ACDP	Manifesto
	African Democratic Change – ADC Contact Person: Kontswi Daniel Mashimbye Party Tel: 015 8151579 Party Fax: Postal Address: P.O. Box 979, Giyani, 0826
	African Independent Congress – AIC Contact Person: Mr G.Z. Ntlola Party Tel: 039 7374045 Party Fax: 039 7374045 Postal Address: P.O. Box 352, Matatiele, 4730
	African National Congress – ANC Contact Person: B Hofmeyer Party Tel: 011 376 1000 Party Fax: 011 376 1124 1134 Postal Address: P.O. Box 61884, Marshalltown, 2107	ANC	Manifesto
	African National Freedom Party – ANFP Contact Person: Mr B.D. Duma Party Tel: 083 9883364 Party Fax: Postal Address: 106 Hawkins Street, Richmond, 3780
	African Nazareth Democratic Movement – ANDM Contact Person: Lindani Thokozane Hlatshwayo Party Tel: 031 5784375 Party Fax: 031 5784375 Postal Address: 37 Pressfield Place, Marbleray, 4037
	African People’s Convention – APC Contact Person: Mr Malesela Frans Ledwaba Party Tel: 011 4985535 Party Fax: 011 4985938 Postal Address: 2nd Floor Law Chambers, 20 Central Avenue, Kempton Park, 1619	APC	Manifesto
	African Reformation Party – ARP Contact Person: John Clifford Matthee Party Tel: 031 2660866 Party Fax: 086 5425704 Postal Address: P.O. Box 811, Westville, Kwazulu Natal, 3630
	Afrika Borwa Kguttlisa Botho – ABKB Contact Person: Phetelo Broese Peni Party Tel: 057 3971272 Party Fax: 057 3971272 Postal Address: 11087 Oppenheimer Park, Fonya Crescent, 9463
	Ahanang People’s Organisation – AHANANG Contact Person: Mr Jeri Kekana Party Tel: 012 8018007 Party Fax: 086 6661060 Postal Address: 17349 Rambuda Mahlaula Street, Mamelodi East, Pretoria, 0002
	Al Jama-Ah Contact Person: M.G.E. Hendricks Party Tel: 021 5314273 Party Fax: 021 5552783 Postal Address: M.G.E.Hendricks, Shop 3 St Tropez, The Island Club, Century City, 7441
	Alliance For Democracy And Prosperity – ADP Contact Person: Joseph Sadiki Party Tel: 015 307 7442 Party Fax: 015 307 7442 Postal Address: P.O. Box 672, Tzaneen, 0850
	Alliance Of Free Democrats – AFD Contact Person: Prof. Themba Sono Party Tel: 011 498 5678 Party Fax: 011 498 5637 Postal Address: Office No. 6 1ST Floor, Centre Forum Building, Cnr. Struben And Van Der Walt Street, Pretoria, 0002
	Azanian Native Socialist Congress – ANSC Contact Person: Mr Mzwanele Zulu Party Tel: 076 3852369 Party Fax: Postal Address: Room 1667, Zone 32 Joe Slovo, Langa, Cape Town, 7455
	Azanian People’s Organisation – AZAPO Contact Person: Mr Strike Thokoane Party Tel: 011 3316430 Party Fax: 011 3316433 Postal Address: P.O. Box 4230, Johannesburg, 2000	AZAPO	Manifesto
	Barkly West Task Team – B.W.T.T. Contact Person: Neo Benne Party Tel: 053 531 0018 Party Fax: 053 531 0018 Postal Address: P.O. Box 2510, Mataleng, Barkly West, 8375
	Bedford Residents’ Association – BERA Contact Person: Fikile Ngqwebo Party Tel: 046 6850990 Party Fax: Postal Address: 9 Lottering Street, Bongweni, Bedford, 5780
	Belastingbetalersvereniging Van Parys – BVP Contact Person: Frikkie Mostert Scheepers Party Tel: 056 8112195 Party Fax: 056 8172265 Postal Address: P.O. Box 422, Parys, 9585
	Black Consciousness Party – BCP Contact Person: Nkosi Potto Molala Party Tel: 012 4523811 Party Fax: 012 3461149 Postal Address: Office No. 211, Southern Life Building, 239 Pretorius Street, Pretoria, 0002
	Boerestaat Party Of S.A – B.S.P Contact Person: Mr. CJB Vermaak Party Tel: 011 762 3842 Party Fax: 011 762 3842 Postal Address: P.O. Box 4995, Luiperds Vlei, 1743
	Breedevallei Onafhanklik – BO Contact Person: Mr C Wilskut Party Tel: 023 3425758 Party Fax: 023 347 5758 Postal Address: Gasnat Street, Johnsons Park, Worcester, 6850
	Cape Party / Kaapse Party – Cape Contact Person: Alexandra Lebi Party Tel: 021 913 1360 Party Fax: 021 794 2662 Postal Address: 16 Alphan Vale Village, Parish RD, Constantia, 7848
	Christian Democratic Alliance – CDA Contact Person: Mrs Lee Botha Party Tel: 012 615 5482 Party Fax: 012 651 5482 Postal Address: P.O. Box 26186, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0007
	Christian Democratic Party – CDP Contact Person: Mr Rudi Verheijen Party Tel: 012 6515482 Party Fax: 0 0 Postal Address: P.O. Box 26186, Menlyn, 0064
	Christian Front – CF Contact Person: Mrs Denise Catherine Du Plooy Party Tel: 011 679 2155 Party Fax: 011 679 2155 Postal Address: P.O. Box 6134, Westgate, 1734
	Christen Party/Christian Party – CP Contact Person: Louis Johannes Botha Marneweck Party Tel: 017 7124644 Party Fax: 017 7121372 Postal Address: P.O. Box 403, Standerton, 2430	CP	Manifesto
	Christiana Belasting Betalers Vereniging – CBBV Contact Person: Daniel Jacobus Muller Party Tel: 053 441 2487 Party Fax: 053 441 2487 Postal Address: P.O. Box 47, Christiana, 2680
	Civic Alliance Of South Africa – CASA Contact Person: Mr Timothy Mthuthuzeli George Party Tel: 078 247 1882 Party Fax: Postal Address: 30 Blue Bell Straat, Essopville, Beaufort West, 6970
	Congress Of The People – COPE Contact Person: Mbhazima Shilowa Party Tel: 011 4476841 Party Fax: 011 4476857 Postal Address: 34-36, Fricker Road, Johannesburg, 2001	COPE	Manifesto
	Congress Movement Of The Coloured People In South Africa – CMCP Contact Person: John Mitchell Party Tel: 0 0 Party Fax: 0 0 Postal Address: 3 El Shaddai, Gelansway, Cleary Estate, Port Elizabeth, 6059
	Dabalorivuwa Patriotic Front – DPF Contact Person: TS Makhale Party Tel: 015 962 5404 Party Fax: 015 962 0891 Postal Address: P.O. Box 544, Sibasa, 0970
	Daveyton Community Peace Committee – P.C. Contact Person: M Zulu Party Tel: 011 424 5698 Party Fax: 011 424 0135 Postal Address: 60896 Turton Street X3, Daveyton, 1520
	Democratic Alliance/Demokratiese Alliansie – DA Contact Person: Mr Paul Boughey Party Tel: 021 403 3936 Party Fax: 021 403 3631 Postal Address: P.O. Box 1475, Cape Town, 8000	DA	Manifesto
	Democratic Party – DP Contact Person: Jackie Hart Party Tel: 021 465 1431 Party Fax: 021 461 5559 Postal Address: P.O. Box 1475, Cape Town, 8000
	Die Maquassi Hills / Rante Gemeenskapsvereniging Contact Person: J Van Der Plaats Party Tel: 018 596 2542 Party Fax: 018 596 2542 Postal Address: P.O. Box 340, Wolmaransstad, 2630
	Dikwankwetla Party Of South Africa – DPSA Contact Person: Moeketsi Lebesa Party Tel: 073 2296460 Party Fax: 058 7135932 Postal Address: P.O. Box 16413, Witsieshoek, 9870, 9870
	Displacees Rate-Payers Association – D.R.P.A. Contact Person: J Khumale Party Tel: 011 860 2037 Party Fax: 011 863 1499 Postal Address: 657 Buthulezi Street, Tokoza, 1426
	Ecopeace – ECOPEACE Contact Person: Alan Murphy Party Tel: 031 465 7129 Party Fax: 031 4615768 Postal Address: 449 Oliver Lea Drive, Umbilo, Durban, 4001
	Eden Forum – E.F Contact Person: Mrs Jane Magrieta Visagie-Jantjies Party Tel: 072 926 5403 Party Fax: 044 884 1445 Postal Address: 16 Muisvogelsingel, Andersonville, Pacattsdorp, 6529
	Federal African Convention – FACO Contact Person: Boginkosi Siphiwe Ngiba Party Tel: 031 3092855 Party Fax: 031 3092855 Postal Address: Private Bag X 10312, Marine Parade, 4056
	Federal Alliance – FA Contact Person: Nelia Pluddeman Party Tel: 011 828 5983 Party Fax: 011 828 5983 Postal Address: P.O. Box 767, Saxonworld, 2132
	Federal Congress – FEDCON Contact Person: Mr Mathew Shunmugam Party Tel: 034 3124167 Party Fax: 034 3124167 Postal Address: P.O. Box 23046, Newcastle, 2940
	Federation Of Democrats – FD Contact Person: Ms B Muna Party Tel: 021 403 3518 Party Fax: 021 403 3104 Postal Address: P.O. Box 15, Cape Town, 8000
	Freedom Power – FP Contact Person: Mr THEMBINKOSI MASINGA Party Tel: 012 8440109 Party Fax: 086 5158655 Postal Address: P.O. Box 15147, LYNN East, 0039
	Gemini Contact Person: Mr HJ Ackeer Party Tel: 011 945 2558 Party Fax: 011 877 3176 Postal Address: P.O. Box 116, Kliptown, 1812
	George Independent Forum – G.O.F Contact Person: Cornelius Esau Party Tel: 082 4813135 Party Fax: Postal Address: 48 Appollo Street, Parkdene, George, 6529	GOF
	God’s People’s Party – G.P.P. Contact Person: JHJ Van Rensburg Party Tel: 017 647 0056 Party Fax: 086 6938110 Postal Address: P.O. Box 1717, Bethal, Mpumalanga, 2310
	Great Kongress Of South Africa – GKSA Contact Person: Mr VB Chuturgoon Party Tel: 034 326 4832 Party Fax: 034 326 4832 Postal Address: P.O. Box 24067, Newcastle, 2940
	Greater Middelburg Residents Association – GMRA Contact Person: Mr Philemon Mokoena Party Tel: 013 242 2050 Party Fax: 013 243 4873 Postal Address: 35 ARAFAT Street, Middelburg, 1050
	Hlangani Sakhe Isizwe – HSI Contact Person: Mr Gilbert Dlamini Party Tel: 078 3320086 Party Fax: 031 5190430 Postal Address: P.O. Box 980140, Emaplazini, Inanda, 4310
	Independent Civic Organisation Of South Africa – ICOSA Contact Person: LS Dhlamini Party Tel: 083 402 5115 Party Fax: 057 215 1404 Postal Address: P.O. Box 241, Virginia, 9430
	Independent Democrats – ID Contact Person: Patricia De Lille Party Tel: 021 4033530 Party Fax: 021 4032350 Postal Address: P.O. Box 751, Cape Town, 8000	ID	Manifesto
	Independent Ratepayers Association Of SA – IRASA Contact Person: Izak David Berg Party Tel: 011 9025984 Party Fax: 011 9025529 Postal Address: P.O. Box 813, Alberton, 1450
	Inkatha Freedom Party – IFP Contact Person: P Smith Party Tel: 021 403 2996 Party Fax: 031 301 0279 Postal Address: P.O. Box 4432, Durban, 4000	IFP	Manifesto
	Jansenville Klipplaat Alliansie – JKA Contact Person: JB Van Zyl Party Tel: 049 836 0011 Party Fax: 049 836 0151 Postal Address: P.O. Box 31, Jansenville, 6265
	Kayamandi Community Alliance – KCA Contact Person: Machaul Casper Rossouw Party Tel: 042 294 0414 Party Fax: 042 295 1891 Postal Address: 1764 Charlotte Street, Graslaagte, Humansdorp, 6300
	Keep It Straight And Simple – KISS Contact Person: Ms Claire C Gaiford Party Tel: 072 7172750 Party Fax: Postal Address: P.O. Box 243, Heidelberg, 1438
	Khayalami Residents Association – K.R.A. Contact Person: M Gumede Party Tel: 011 926 0800 Party Fax: 011 926 9315 Postal Address: P.O. Box 4206, Kempton Park, 1620
	Khoisan Aboriginal And Others Movement – K.A.O.M Contact Person: Mr Jakob Davids Party Tel: 021 9881381 Party Fax: 088 9870977 Postal Address: 21 Glendale Close, Bernanndine Heights, Kraaifontein, 7570
	Khoisan United Front – KUF Contact Person: Mr Benedict Aloysius Kabab Party Tel: 021 954 4862 Party Fax: Postal Address: 251 Delft Main Road, Voorburg, Delft, 7100
	Knysna Community Forum – CX Forum Contact Person: Donald Kemoetie Party Tel: 082 302 3897 Party Fax: Postal Address: P.O. Box 1548, Knysna, 6570
	Konserwatiewe/Conservative Party – KP/CP Contact Person: Mr Peet Booysen Party Tel: 012 3476302 Party Fax: 012 3476302 Postal Address: 612 Goudsnip Street, Monument Park Ext 2, Pretoria, 0002
	Kopanang Unemployment Union Contact Person: Mr Velaphi Charlie Ntuli Party Tel: 013 983 1110 Party Fax: Postal Address: 473 Kirkvorsfontein A, P.O. Box 709, Dennilton, 1030
	Kouga 2000 – K20 Contact Person: TB Barnard Party Tel: 042 296 1305 Party Fax: Postal Address: P.O. Box 646, Jeffreys Bay, 6330
	Kouga Civic Alliance Contact Person: Michael Casper Rossouw Party Tel: 042 294 0414 Party Fax: 042 295 1891 Postal Address: 1764 Charlotte Street, Graslaagte, Humansdorp, 6300
	Kwa-Zulu Natal Transport Alliance – KZNTA Contact Person: Mr Bafana Mhlongo Party Tel: 031 309 9674 Party Fax: 031 309 9674 Postal Address: P.O. Box 14127, Austerville, 4005
	Labour Party Of South Africa – L.P Contact Person: Mr. T.J. Orren Party Tel: 053 874 3016 Party Fax: 011 472 2330 Postal Address: P.O. Box 2591, Riviera, Kimberley, 8300
	Laingsburg Gemeenskaps Party – L.P. Contact Person: Benny Kleinbooi Party Tel: 023 5511019 Party Fax: Postal Address: 12(g) Karoo Hof Flats, Swartberg Street, Laingsburg, 6900
	Liberal People’s Party Contact Person: S L Bowers Party Tel: 022 7131646 Party Fax: 022 7131646 Postal Address: P.O. Box 799, Vredenburg, 7380
	Merit Party – MP Contact Person: S Schkolne Party Tel: 041 582 3152 Party Fax: 041 583 3088 Postal Address: P.O. Box 13319, Humewood, 6013
	Middelburg Residents Organisation – MRO Contact Person: Mr Bafana Hlatshwayo Party Tel: 072 159 3919 Party Fax: 023 243 4473 Postal Address: P.O. Box 33, Mnluzi, 1053
	Minority Front – MF Contact Person: A Rajbansi Party Tel: 031 404 1993 Party Fax: 031 404 9059 Postal Address: 76 Trisula Avenue, Arena Park, Chatsworth, 4037	MF	Manifesto
	Mitchell’s Plain Independent Party – MPIP Contact Person: Cee Jay Williams Party Tel: 021 374 4485 Party Fax: 021 374 4485 Postal Address: 17 Blackberry Close, Westridge, Mitchells’ Plain, 4000
	Moderate Independent Party – MIP Contact Person: MJ Taylor Party Tel: 021 930 0659 Party Fax: 021 930 0659 Postal Address: Faull’s Building Room 104, 169 Voortrekker Road, Parow, 7500
	Movement Democratic Party – MDP Contact Person: Mr Jake Maseka Party Tel: 012 7031337 Party Fax: 012 7033454 Postal Address: P.O. Box 9113113, Rosslyn, 0200
	Naboomspruit Belastings Vereniging – NBS BBV Contact Person: Mr OJ Scherman Party Tel: 014 743 2032 Party Fax: 014 743 2032 Postal Address: Posbus 336, Naboomspruit, 0560
	National Alliance – N A Contact Person: Mr Aubrey Plaaitjies Party Tel: 021 4033371 Party Fax: 021 4032783 Postal Address: 4 BradFord Close, Wembley Park, Kuils River, 7580
	National Christian Democratic Party – N.C.D.P Contact Person: Alfred Benjamin Modise Party Tel: 011 8383085 Party Fax: 011 8383084 Postal Address: P.O. Box 8408, Johannesburg, 2001
	National Convention Of Azania – N.C.A Contact Person: Sithembiso Reginald Kondolo Party Tel: 073 8081457 Party Fax: 047 5323664 Postal Address: Private Bag X484, Qumbu, 5180
	National Democratic Convention – NADECO Contact Person: Mrs Margaret Sheron Arnolds Party Tel: 083 958 0222 Party Fax: 086 662 0058 Postal Address: P. O. Box 4142, Durban, 4000
	National Independent Civic Organisation – NICO Contact Person: Johannes Saolomon Januarie Party Tel: 028 4252304 Party Fax: 028 4252304 Postal Address: 13 President Street, Bredasdorp, 7280
	National Party South Africa – N.P Contact Person: Juan-Duval LT Uys Party Tel: 073 6712464 Party Fax: 086 6277403 Postal Address: P.O. Box 1344, Sea Point, 8060	NP	Manifesto
	National Peoples Movement – NAPEMO Contact Person: Mr Aubrey Mbatha Party Tel: 031 3377277 Party Fax: 031 3377277 Postal Address: 62 South Sea, 119 Prince Street, Durban, 4001
	National People’s Party – NPP Contact Person: Johan Arnoldus Van Niekerk Party Tel: 021 552 1538 Party Fax: 021 555 1455 Postal Address: P.O Box 16373, Vlaeberg, 8018
	National Republican Party – NRP Contact Person: Mr Molala SC Matome Party Tel: 078 356 5588 Party Fax: 086 640 3039 Postal Address: P.O. Box 3, Srings, 1560
	National Seoposengwe Congress – NSC Contact Person: Mr Stoffel Rapula Mosebo Party Tel: 014 5926041 Party Fax: 014 5970341 Postal Address: P.O. Box 5054, Rustenburg, 0300
	National Success Party Contact Person: MV Tshabalala Party Tel: 017 712 1289 Party Fax: 017 712 2080 Postal Address: P.O. Box 955, Standeron, 2430
	New Vision Party – NVP Contact Person: Mr Mosima Meline Bopape Party Tel: 083 681 7417 Party Fax: Postal Address: P.O. Box 426, Lebowakgomo, 0737
	Onafhanklike Munisipale Kiesersforumm – OMK Contact Person: JW Fourie Party Tel: 014 736 4592 Party Fax: 017 736 4599 Postal Address: P.O. Box 1187, Bela Bela, 0480
	Operation Khanyisa Movement – OKM Contact Person: Godfrey Matsepe Party Tel: 011 938 5922 Party Fax: 011 938 9907 Postal Address: 924 Zone 1, Diepkloof, Soweto, 1864
	Oudtshoorn Civic Association – O.C.A. Contact Person: Mr BA Pannas Party Tel: 083 618 2839 Party Fax: 044 272 7328 Postal Address: 15 Hennis Street, Coldridge View, Oudtshoorn, 6620
	Oudtshoorn Eerste Contact Person: Mr Winston Coerecius Party Tel: 044 272 4346 Party Fax: 044 279 2463 Postal Address: 66 Jubilee Street, Oudtshoorn, 6625
	Pan Africanist Congress Of Azania – PAC Contact Person: Mbuyiswa Gantso Party Tel: 011 8389380 Party Fax: 011 8389384 Postal Address: P.O. Box 6010, Johannesburg, 2000	PAC	Manifesto
	Pan Africanist Movement – PAM Contact Person: Nomvula Lee-Ann Tabata Party Tel: 078 2020406 Party Fax: 040 6093444 Postal Address: 2 Kingsgate Flat, St James Road, Southernwood, East London, 5201
	Peace And Development Party – PDP Contact Person: Mphakamiseni Meshack Shandu Party Tel: 035 870 3978 Party Fax: 035 870 3978 Postal Address: P.O. Box 180, Ulundi, 3838
	Peace And Justice Congress – PJC Contact Person: Muhammed Rashad Khan Party Tel: 021 4623171 Party Fax: 021 4622460 Postal Address: 1st Floor, Herald Gie Building, 8 Darling Street, Cape Town, 8001	PJC	Manifesto
	Peace And Progress Party – PPP Contact Person: Andile Bennett Sikhotha Party Tel: 083 6055965 Party Fax: Postal Address: 16108 Dyala Crescent, Section 2 Browns Farm, Phillippi, 7785
	People’s African Party – P.A.P Contact Person: Mr Shaheed Noor Party Tel: 021 683 9374 Party Fax: 021 683 9373 Postal Address: 134 Milner Road, Claremont, Cape Town, 7708
	People’s Democratic Movement – PDM Contact Person: Christopher John Grootboom Party Tel: 023 6265859 Party Fax: 023 6261151 Postal Address: P.O. Box 629, Robertson, 6705
	People’s Revolutionary Congress – P.R.C Contact Person: Mr RK Douglas Party Tel: 011 4746512 Party Fax: 086 6725563 Postal Address: P.O. Box 90126, Bertsham, 2013
	Peoples Alliance – PAL Contact Person: Victor Gordon Jacobs Party Tel: 011 6833214 Party Fax: 086 6567947 Postal Address: 120 Tramway Street, Turfontein, Johannesburg, 2190
	Phumelela Ratepayers’ Association Contact Person: Pieter Stephanus Bergh Party Tel: 058 9131554 Party Fax: 058 9131100 Postal Address: P.O. Box 303, Vrede, 9835
	Ratepayers Residents And Property Owners Association – BIG Contact Person: P.A Rautenbach Party Tel: 012 253 2687 Party Fax: 012 253 0308 Postal Address: P.O Box 174, Ifafi, 0260
	Regte Demokratiese Party – RDP Contact Person: Mr DJ Bodenstein Party Tel: 083 9564970 Party Fax: 086 6533490 Postal Address: P.O. Box 64, Hartebeespoort, 0216
	Regte Party/Right Party – RP Contact Person: GLK Sinclair Party Tel: 011 609 6217 Party Fax: 011 609 6217 Postal Address: P.O. Box 651, Edenvale, 1610
	Royal Loyal Progress – RLP Contact Person: Dudu Melta Sibiya Party Tel: 03431 23762 Party Fax: 034 315 3410 Postal Address: P.O. Box 14272, Madadeni, 2951
	Simunye In Christ Organisation – SIMUNYE Contact Person: NR Mogudi Party Tel: 011 738 9286 Party Fax: 011 738 9286 Postal Address: P.O. Box 70170, Tsakane, 1548
	Sindawonye Progressive Party – SPP Contact Person: RQ Mtsweni Party Tel: 013 945 7002 Party Fax: 013 963 0049 Postal Address: P.O. Box 291, Kwa-Mhlanga, 1022
	Social Democratic Front – S.D.F Contact Person: Mr Madlakane Labuschagne Party Tel: 021 9048334 Party Fax: 021 9048334 Postal Address: 21 Franschoek Street, Greenfields, Blackheath, 7580
	Social Democratic Party – SDP Contact Person: Mr Bernard Jackson Party Tel: 021 701 2197 Party Fax: Postal Address: P.O Box 298, Cape Town, 8000
	South African Business Party – SABP Contact Person: Ms Clarodene Last Party Tel: 021 852 4444 Party Fax: 021 852 8005 Postal Address: P.O. Box 1138, Somerset West, Western Cape, 7129
	South African Communist Party – SACP Contact Person: Mrs. S Zungu Party Tel: 011 339 3621 Party Fax: 011 339 4244 Postal Address: P.O. Box 1027, Johannesburg, 2000
	South African Democratic Congress – SADECO Contact Person: Mr SH Kennedy Party Tel: 031 2632650 Party Fax: 031 2632652 Postal Address: P.O. Box 1706, New Germany, KZN, 3610
	South African National Councils Organisation – SANACO Contact Person: Innocentia Mazibuko-Madalani Party Tel: 011 4804938 Party Fax: 011 6426011 Postal Address: 13406 Mokotatsie Street, Zone 8, Meadowlands, 1852
	South African Political Alliance – SAFPA Contact Person: I Bester Party Tel: 022 713 1646 Party Fax: 022 713 1646 Postal Address: P.O. Box 799, Vredenburg, 7380
	South African Political Party – SAPP Contact Person: Mr MS Mokitimi Party Tel: 018 384 2207 Party Fax: 018 384 2207 Postal Address: P.O. Box 3755, Mmabatho
	The Employment Movement Of South Africa – EMSA Contact Person: M Reitz Party Tel: 021 794 0307 Party Fax: 021 794 0307 Postal Address: No 29., Klein Constantia Road, Constantia, 7806
	The Green Party Of South Africa – GPGP Contact Person: J Sole Party Tel: 021 789 1391 Party Fax: 021 789 1143 Postal Address: P.O. Box 114, Noordhoek, 7985
	The Real Congress – TRC Contact Person: Mr Buti Msimanga Party Tel: 011 4211312 Party Fax: 011 4211312 Postal Address: No. 4 Barclay Road, Dunnotar, Nigel, 1490
	The Socialist Party Of Azania – SOPA Contact Person: LT Mabasa Party Tel: 011 337 0587 Party Fax: 011 403 4053 Postal Address: P.O. Box 11039, Johannesburg, 2000
	The South African Region Of Independent Churches – SARIC Contact Person: EM Khanyile Party Tel: 031 305 6240 Party Fax: 031 307 2149 Postal Address: P.O. Box 5447, Durban, 4000
	Truly Alliance – TA Contact Person: Mr Mahomed Faruk Adam Party Tel: 031 5053309 Party Fax: 031 5053307 Postal Address: 388 Palmview Drive, Palmview, Phoenix, 4068
	Ubumbano Lwesizwe Independent Residence Association – ULIRA Contact Person: Sibani Robert Mdletshe Party Tel: 032 4542796 Party Fax: Postal Address: P.O. Box 9202, Sundumbili, 4491
	Umhlaba Uhlangene People’s United Nations – U.U.P.U.N Contact Person: Mrs Elizabeth Motleleng Party Tel: 072 326 4078 Party Fax: Postal Address: 301 Mpilisweni Section, Thokoza, 1426
	Unemployed People’s Party - UPP Contact Person: Mr Plaatjie Mashego Party Tel: 011 9063634 Party Fax: Postal Address: 1524 Dikgwading Street, Rockville Extension 2, Vosloorus, 1475
	Unemployment Labour Alliance – ULA Contact Person: PR Leeuw Party Tel: 058 713 5259 Party Fax: 058 713 3588 Postal Address: P.O. Box 18355, Witsieshoek, 9870
	United Christian Democratic Party – UCDP Contact Person: IR Mahuwa Party Tel: 018 381 5691 Party Fax: 018 387 3591 Postal Address: P.O. Box 3010, Mmbatho, 2735	UCDP	Manifesto
	United Citizen Forum Of South Africa – UCFSA Contact Person: Sengivee Naick Party Tel: 073 1462774 Party Fax: Postal Address: P.O. Box 1482, Lenasia, 1820
	United Democratic Movement – UDM Contact Person: Mr H Nobongoza Party Tel: 012 321 0010 Party Fax: 012 321 0014 Postal Address: P.O. Box 26290, Arcadia, 0007	UDM	Manifesto
	United Front – U.F. Contact Person: TD Hlatshwayo Party Tel: 011 331 0404 1110 Party Fax: 011 331 3240 Postal Address: 17th Floor Kine Centre, 141 Commissioner Street, Johannesburg, 2001
	United Independent Front – UIF Contact Person: Mr Mzwandile Manjiya Party Tel: 021 4871834 Party Fax: 082 3462680 Postal Address: P.O.Box 648, Cape Town, 8001
	United Moral Movement For The Advancement Of All – UMMA Contact Person: Mahmoud Mouneimne Party Tel: 021 557 2598 Party Fax: 021 557 0268 Postal Address: P.O. Box 65, Howard Place, 7441
	United Party Of South Africa – UPSA Contact Person: Mr Raymond C Stemmet Party Tel: 021 9307675 Party Fax: 021 9300274 Postal Address: P.O. Box 10222, Belhar, Cape Town, 7507
	Universal Party – U.P. Contact Person: Martin Matheus Fienies Party Tel: Party Fax: 021 3715552 Postal Address: 20 Park Road, Montclair Mitchell’s Plain, 7785
	Value Education Nationalism Democracy In Africa – V.E.N.D.A Contact Person: Mr DA Mathivha (Seremane) Party Tel: 073 380 7540 Party Fax: 015 962 1712 Postal Address: P.O. Box 431, Shayandima, 0945
	Vryheidsfront Plus – VF Plus Contact Person: PD Uys Party Tel: 012 665 0564 Party Fax: 086 654 3289 Postal Address: P.O. Box 74693, Lynnwood Ridge, 0040	VF Plus	Manifesto
	Western Cape Community – WCC Contact Person: Norman K Steyn Party Tel: 023 6152078 Party Fax: 023 6152076TSH – Tshwane Metro [Pretoria]
	Women Forward – WF Contact Person: Ms Nana Ngobese Party Tel: 033 3456151 Party Fax: 033 3456361 Postal Address: P.O. Box 22170, Mayors Walk, Pieternaritzburg, 3208
	Workers International Vanguard League – WIVL Contact Person: S Mahomed Party Tel: 021 4476777 Party Fax: 088 2144767 Postal Address: 1st Floor, Community House, 41 Salt River, Salt River, 7925	WIVL	Manifesto
	Workers Party – WP Contact Person: TTD Hlatshwayo Party Tel: 011 331 0455 Party Fax: 011 331 1481 Postal Address: P.O. Box 6455, Johannesburg, 2000
	World Solidarity Movement – WSM Contact Person: Bernardo Van Heerden-Baez Party Tel: 012 998 2317 Party Fax: 012 348 1562 Postal Address: Suite 59, Private Bag X2005, Menlyn, 0036
	Ximoko Party – XP Contact Person: AM Mabunda Party Tel: 01581 23718 Party Fax: 01581 21454 Postal Address: P.O. Box 5202, Giyani, 0826

Mark Burton, NSRI Gordon’s Bay Station Commander said: “Fires raging along the slopes of Gordon’s Bay resulted in NSRI Gordon’s Bay volunteers stepping in to assist the Fire and Rescue Services and the Emergency Services to evacuate homes and to assist Emergency Medical Services in providing medical care to residents and Firemen suffering smoke inhalation and smoke and fire related symptoms and injuries.

“The NSRI rescue base in Gordon’s Bay has been opened as a refreshment centre for Emergency workers and as one of the medical posts to assist the Emergency Medical Services dealing with a number of Fire related injuries and illnesses.

“Netcare 911 Ambulance Services paramedics are assisting NSRI volunteers at the NSRI rescue base to deal with medical emergencies and medical related treatments as necessary.

“An NSRI volunteer has been posted to the JOCC (Joint Operations Control Centre) to provide instructions to NSRI volunteers via Radio Communications directly from the Joint Operations Commander of the Fire and Rescue Services in order that the NSRI volunteers can be deployed to assist with any requirements to assist and where necessary alleviate emergency crews dealing with this fire emergency.

Nawahlodien Panday, NSRI Strandfontein Station Commander said: “At 16h48 NSRI Strandfontein were activated by the National Ports Authority to respond to Macassar Beach following reports of a drowning in progress.

“We launched our rescue craft I&J Rescuer while NSRI volunteers responded directly to the beach and the Metro Ambulance and Rescue Services and the SA Police Services responded to join SA Lifesaving lifeguards who were on the scene.

“On arrival on-scene it was determined that a male child was safely on the beach after getting into difficulty in the surf and he required no medical attention.

“While in attendance at the scene it was reported, from further down the same beach, that another drowning incident was taking place.

“Lifeguards swam out and brought a male, aged 44, who was found floating lifeless in the surf, onto the beach and together with the Metro paramedics Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) efforts were commenced on the man, who was pulse less and not breathing but after all efforts to revive the man were exhausted he was declared dead.

“Police are investigating the drowning and the deceased mans name will only be released once his next of kin are informed.”

On 1 December at 14h40 NSRI Gordons Bay launched their rescue craft Sanlam Rescuer following a telephonic request to the National Ports Authority from a man claiming only to be drifting on his boat without engine power somewhere off-shore of Rooi Els, between Gordons Bay and Betty’s Bay.

No further information was divulged before the man hung up and attempts to raise the man on his cell-phone went unanswered.

A search throughout the afternoon by NSRI volunteers aboard Sanlam Rescuer and Police revealed no sign of the man on his boat and no sign of any vessel in any kind of difficulty.

It is suspected that this was a false alarm with malicious intent.

On 1 December at 17h05 NSRI Melkbosstrand prepared to launch their rescue craft Spirit of Rotary – Blouberg following reports of a 13 year old male and a 14 year old male trapped in between the surfline on an inflatable dinghy and being battered by waves and at risk of being swept out to sea.

As the rescue craft was being launched from the NSRI Melkbosstrand Rescue Station both youngsters, both from Melkbosstrand, were brought to shore by an unidentified group of surfers.

The youngsters were not injured and released on-scene and NSRI rescuers are certain that they won’t venture out to sea on their inflatable dinghy soon following the obvious scare they experienced from their ordeal.

Summer holidays are here and the NSRI are urging the public to take their safety seriously in and around water, on the coast and inland.

The NSRI urge people living along the coast and holiday makers visiting the coast to find out and store their nearest NSRI Sea Rescue Emergency telephone number in their phones.

These local NSRI Sea Rescue Emergency phone numbers can be obtained from NSRI’s Head Office in Cape Town during office hours at (021) 4344011. (Note that this number is not an emergency number but your nearest local NSRI Emergency Telephone number can be obtained from 021-4344011).

One of the most important things you do this summer could be to find out what your nearest NSRI Sea Rescue Emergency phone number is.

Other National All Emergency Numbers that should always be programmed into your phone are 112 Emergency (from a cell-phone) and 10177 (from your cell-phone and from a landline). These are phone numbers used for any medical and rescue emergency.

The NSRI cannot stress enough the importance of finding out what your local NSRI Sea Rescue Emergency phone number is – especially if you live on or near the coast and if you are visiting the coast this Summer.
Delays getting through to the NSRI, especially in a drowning accident or boating accident at sea, could make the difference between life and death.

Beach Bathers:

* Swim at beaches only when and where life guards are on duty.
* Obey the lifeguards instructions and swim within the demarcated safe swimming zones flagged by lifeguards during the day. Where lifeguards detect the strongest rip-currents at the beach during the day they will shift the flag positions accordingly and warn swimmers to move to where the new flag positions are posted. This could happen 5 or 6 times during the day as rip-currents change at beaches constantly.
* Don’t swim too deep.
* Children should have responsible adult supervision at all times.
* Rip-Currents are the highest cause of drownings in South Africa. Rip-Currents are caused by the water approaching the shoreline requiring a channel (river) to get back out to sea. Rip-Currents change position along the shoreline constantly. If you are caught in a rip-current you will realize you are because suddenly and quickly you will be swept out to sea. Don’t swim against the current it will only cause exhaustion and don’t panic. Tread water by moving your arms and legs in circular movements to stay afloat. Scream for help so that people on the shore can alert the lifeguards or call the NSRI. At your first opportunity swim across the beach-line (parralel to the beach) until you are free of the rip-current and then use the incoming waves to swim to shore.
* Know about Spring Tides ( Higher and lower than normal tides caused at full-moon and at no-moon each month) – Spring Tides have a radicle effect on shore-line sea conditions and trends show that more people are swept out to sea during the Spring Tide period than at other times.
* Don’t drink alcohol and swim – many drownings appear to be as a result of alcohol consumption and bathing. Hydrate regularly, wear a hat and sunscreen and be safe.

Paddlers and wind-boarders: (Applies to the coast and inland waterways)

* Have your own telephone number, name and details stencilled on your equipment and craft.
* Let a responsible person know what time you are leaving, the route you are taking and your time of return. Stick to your planned route and check in with that person on your safe return. If you don’t return exactly on time that person should be briefed by you to phone the nearest NSRI Sea Rescue Emergency Telephone Number.
* Wear bright clothing and the correct clothing (thermal wet-suits etc).
* paint your craft and gear in bright colors and paste reflect stickers on your craft and gear. Sew reflective tape onto your clothing.
* Wear a referrees whistle around your neck and a CD-disc or small mirror around your neck which you can use to reflect the sun to approaching rescue craft or rescue helicopters.
* Carry red distress flares.
* Have communications devices, a cell-phone and/or VHF radio in watertight plastic sleeves.
* Wear your life-jacket correctly fastened at all times on water.
* Check out weather and sea conditions and don’t launch if the weather and sea conditions are adverse.
* Don’t drink alcohol and paddle or wind-board. Hydrate regularly, wear a hat and sunscreen and be safe.
* If you capsize stay with your upturned floating craft at all costs.

Boaters: (Applies to the coast and inland waterways)

* Let a responsible person know what time you are leaving, your intended route and your time of return. Stick to your plan like glue. If you don’t return exactly on time that responsible person should call their nearest NSRI Emergency Telephone Number immediately.
* Everyone on-board your boat should wear life-jackets at all times while on water on your boat.
* Everyone on-board should wear bright clothing and have reflective strips sewn onto their clothing
* Children should wear correctly fitting and correctly fastened life-jackets at all times while on water on your boat.
* Have your safety capsize-kit accessible and ready to deploy at all times – don’t store it in a hatch.
* In your safety capsize-kit have Red Distress Flares, Smoke Markers, Energy Bars and Fresh Water, Communication Devices – a VHF Radio and/or a Cell-phone in water tight plastic sleeves, a mirror or CD-disc, a referrees whistle, Emergency Blankets.
* Put reflective stickers on your boat.
* Wear warm clothing and the correct gear, and sunscreen, a hat and hydrate regularly.
* Check out weather and sea conditions and don’t launch in foul conditions or when foul conditions are forecasted.
* Don’t drink alcohol on-board on water.
* If you capsize stay with your upturned floating craft at all costs.

Anglers:

* Wear a life-jacket while fishing on the shore-line.
* Carry safety gear, communications devices, a referrees whistle, a mirror or CD-disc around your neck.
* Don’t get too close to the shores edge especially when fishing from rocks.
* Be acutely aware of High and Low tide times and the Monthly Spring Tides which affect your regular fishing spot immensely.
* Wear Bright Clothing.
* Be very careful and watch the sea and the mood of the sea closely. Every year anglers are washed off rocks, swept out to sea and drown!!
* Let a responsible person know what time you are going fishing, your fishing spot and the time you expect to return. Stick to your plan like velcro. If you don’t come home when you expected to that person should call the Nearest NSRI Emergency Telephone Number.

Swimming Pools and inland waterways:

* Children should be supervised by responsible adults in and around swimming pools at all times.
* Alcohol and water don’t mix and many swimming pool drownings appear to be as a result of irresponsible alcohol consumption and bathing.
* Dangerous games such as running around a swimming pool where the surrounding areas of the pool are wet causing slippery surfaces may result in serious or even fatal injuries at pools.
* Hydrate and wear a hat and sunscreen

Everyone should exercise extreme safety precautions in and around water at all times always.

Darius van Niekerk, NSRI Mykonos Station Commander said: “At 11h47 NSRI Mykonos were activated following reports from SA Paramedic Services attending to a patient at a beach next to Pearleys Restaurant on Langebaan Lagoon, and who confirmed that one person was still missing, suspected to have drowned, at the same location.

“SA Paramedic Services paramedics, who were having a cup of coffee at Pearleys Restaurant next to a beach by Pearleys Restaurant, on Langebaan Lagoon, had witnessed a kite-surfer rescuing a 16 year old Vredenburg male in the Lagoon, in ankle deep water next to the beach, and when the kite-surfer, a German final year medical student, Ulrich Kisser, from Munich, brought the teenager ashore he immediately began Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) efforts on the teenager.

“CPR efforts were joined by Ulrich’s girlfriend, Vanessa Mroske, also a German final year medical student, from Heidelberg, who was preparing to launch her kite-board at the time, and shortly thereafter they were joined by the SA Paramedic Services ambulance crew.

“SA Paramedic Services paramedics assisted Ulrich Kisser and Vanessa Mroske with CPR on the teenager and the resuscitation efforts on the scene were successful and the teenager was transported to a local hospital in a serious condition by the SA Paramedic Services ambulance.

“The paramedics confirmed to NSRI Mykonos that they had established that a 24 year old Vredenburg man was still missing in the Lagoon.

“It appears that both the teenager and the man had been swimming together in the Lagoon when they got into difficulty in the water.

“NSRI Mykonos volunteers launched our rescue craft Gemini Rescuer II while a private charter boat, Bugaloo, with NSRI rescuers on-board, and an NSRI crew members private rigid inflatable boat joined in a search.

“The SA Police Services and a Police Dive Unit also responded to the scene.

“During an extensive search the body of the missing man was found by Police Divers, while diving on the scene, and he was brought ashore where it was confirmed he was deceased.

“The 16 year old male is reported to be in a stable condition at a local hospital.

“The medical students from Germany who assisted are both medical interns at a Cape Town hospital and have been in Cape Town since October.

“Police are investigating the incident.”

“At 15h47 NSRI Mykonos responded to Langebaan Lagoon following reports of a 5.5 metre deck-boat capsized with 4 people on-board.

“Gemini Rescuer II was launched and on arrival on-scene we found a private boat, which had responded to a red distress flare fired from the occupants of the capsized boat, was picking up all 4 of the survivors from the water. They are Dietmar de Klerk, 56, Tienus Geldenhuys, 48, Celeste Prins, 23, and Chris van Tonder, 23, all from Langebaan.

“They had been fishing near to the island on Langebaan Lagoon when their craft capsized.

“All 4 survivors were brought ashore where SA Paramedic Services paramedics assessed them medically and found them to all be in a satisfactory condition requiring no further medical attention.

“Their boat was towed to shore by our rescue craft and the owner is arranging to have it removed for repairs.”

It is not often that someone of Christof’s eminence makes the long journey down South to blast our dancefloors. With more tracks on the hit list than most, don’t miss it.

ABSOLUM is Christof Drouillet solo project since 1996. Christof was born in Paris, France where he founded 3D Vision. Based in Ibiza, he has been involved in the music business for quite a long time, releasing his first record back in 1988 (Eighteen, MayaProd/Musidisc) in the pure New Wave style of the 80’s but seriously Electronic orientated for that time.

Producer, DJ, he started producing Psy-trance with Transwave in 1994, which was one of the most popular trance project (7 Eps and 3 albums between 1994 and 1996, on various famous English and French labels). Today, Christof is runing his artistic carreer succesfully with his solo project « Absolum » but also collaborating with other artists. He produced recently 2 tracks on the new Koxbox album released this year on Twisted Records (UK) and strikes back with Dado as famous duo Transwave. Also Synergy debut album is expected next year (collaboration with Samy CPU). His music is described as ” ..Hitek.. precision pieces of super structured, savage, searing sounds. A cranium creakin.. frenetic frenzy of hi-tonal abandonment towards total Nike meltdown…….” (Raja Ram, Tip World Records) …..Powerfull DJ sets and futuristic Hitech trance….

Projects : ABSOLUM (solo project), SYNERGY (with CPU), TRANSWAVE (with Dado Deedrah), C.R.M.B. (with Riktam, Mael & Bansi), ULTRA (with Dimitri), ABSOLUT NOISE (with Wizzy Noise), N.B.K. (with Alien Project), VIRTUAL CORP. (with Full Colordrops), ELIXIR (with Talamasca & Nomad), TIYA (with Tiya), LAGOON.

Venue: Opens on Saturday 13 December at 4PM
Directions: Forest Venue in Cape Town (Please call Alien hotline for details: 082 741 8981)

Be The Change | DONATION BOX AT DOOR: Please bring anything from a can of beans to a pair of old jeans. Alien Safari supports MyLife www.mylife.org.za

TICKETS: R1155 Pre-sale, R165 BPM Online or R180 Gate

Pre-sale tickets available from the following outlets:

*  Crystal Wizards, Observatory: 021 447 8154
*  SKA, 161 Long Street: 021 426 5025
*  Global Girl, Gardens Center: 021 461 8925
*  Call-a-Pizza, Main Road, Sea Point: 021 434 0818
*  SKA, Main Road, Kalk Bay: 021 788 7437
*  Wild Fire Piercing, Canal Walk: 021 552 8929
*  Skint Clothing, Long Beach Mall: 021 785 7777
*  Gypsy, Durbanville: 021 976 2604
*  Gypsy, Hout Bay: 021 790 1418
*  In the Mix, Cavendish: 021 674 6844
*  Trendy, Cape Gate: 021 982 1779
*  Gypsy, Stellenbosch: 021 886 7157
*  Dragon Tattoos, Somerset West: 021 852 8066
*  Funky Vibes, Hermanus: 028 312 1446

The Department of Labour has released the following new domestic labour rates for the period ended 30 November. Just a word of caution, if you are paying your domestic more than the rates below (and you are, I am sure!), then you may not DROP your domestic’s remuneration to these new wages as conditions of employment may not be changed unilaterally:

Urban Areas Minimum Wages for Domestic Workers who work MORE THAN 27 hours per week, as from 1 December 2008 to 30 November 2009:

Per Hour: R6.88
Per Week: R309.60 (a 45 hour work week)
Per Month: R1 340.95 (a 195.90 hour work month or 4.33 working weeks)

Urban Areas Minimum Wages for Domestic Workers who work LESS THAN 27 hours per week, as from 1 December 2008 to 30 November 2009:

Per Hour: R8.12
Per Week: R219.24 (illustrative amount based on 27 hours per week)
Per Month: R949.97 (illustrative amount based on 116.99 hours per month or 4.33 working weeks)

Rural Areas Minimum Wages for Domestic Workers who work MORE THAN 27 hours per week, as from 1 December 2008 to 30 November 2009:

Per Hour: R5.63
Per Week: R253.35 (a 45 hour work week)
Per Month: R1 097.40 (a 195.90 hour work month or 4.33 working weeks)

Rural Areas Minimum Wages for Domestic Workers who work LESS THAN 27 hours per week, as from 1 December 2008 to 30 November 2009:

Per Hour: R6.65
Per Week: R179.55 (illustrative amount based on 27 hours per week)
Per Month: R778.00 (illustrative amount based on 116.99 hours per month or 4.33 working weeks)

Workers must receive an annual increase of at least 8% every year on the 1st of November. The Department of Labour has a standard formula for annual domestic wage increases as follows: Previous Wage + CPIX + 2%.

Urban Areas include the following Municipal Districts:

Bergrivier Local Municipality, Breederivier Local Municipality, Buffalo City Local Municipality, Cape Agulhas Local Municipality, Cederberg Local Municipality, City of Cape Town, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, Drakenstein Local Municipality, Ekurhulen Metropolitan Municipality, Emalahleni Local Municipality, Emfuleni Local Municipality, Ethekwini Metropolitan Unicity, Gamagara Local Municipality, George Local Municipality, Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality, Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality, Kgatelopele Local Municipality, Khara Hais Local Municipality, Knysna Local Municipality, Kungwini Local Municipality, Kouga Local Municipality, Langeberg Local Municipality, Lesedi Local Municipality, Makana Local Municipality, Mangaung Local Municipality, Matzikama Local Municipality, Metsimaholo Local Municipality, Middelburg Local Municipality, Midvaal Local Municipality, Mngeni Local Municipality, Mogale Local Municipality, Mosselbaai Local Municipality, Msunduzi Local Municipality, Mtubatu Local Municipality, Nama Khoi Local Municipality, Nelson Mandela, Nokeng tsa Taemane Local Municipality, Oudtshoorn Local Municipality, Overstrand Local Municipality, Plettenbergbaai Local Municipality, Potchefstroom Local Municipality, Randfontein Local Municipality, Richtersveld Local Municipality, Saldanha Bay Local Municipality, Sol Plaatjie Local Municipality, Stellenbosch Local Municipality, Swartland Local Municipality, Swellendam Local Municipality, Theewaterskloof Local Municipality, Umdoni Local Municipality, uMhlathuze Local Municipality and Witzenberg Local Municipality.

Rural areas include ALL areas not mentioned above.

With immediate effect Muizenberg Beach has been closed due to a dead 10 metre juvenile Humpback whale found floating in waist deep water at Muizenbergs Surfers Corner appearing to have shark bite marks.

It is suspected that sharks have been feeding on the carcass.

A carcass of this nature will, according to Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) and the Department of Environmental Affairs, create a large concentration of sharks in the immediate area of the carcass.

As a precaution the beach at Muizenberg is closed and the local shark spotters and Law Enforcement Officers are on-scene advising people not to surf or swim at the beach.
As a further precaution bathers and sea users at other beaches on the False Bay Coast are advised to exercise caution.

It is not yet decided for how long the advised closure will be in effect.

MCM are on-scene investigating options to removing the carcass.