A different view on current affairs & history
The SAS did. Since their inception during WW2, the SAS has been involved in numerous audacious missions. After narrowly escaping closure at the end of the war, they established the relevance in the Iranian embassy siege and during the Falkland’s war. Currently they are deployed in Iraq, Syria and also in Libya.
Main picture: The SAS squad disguised themselves as ISIS commanders’ wives to infiltrate Raqqa
Princess Diana would have endorsed this method of clearing mines if she were still alive. Initially the only way to clear land mines fields was by hand using bayonets. The hand held mine detector came next. This meant certain death to the Engineer slowly advancing through a mine field into the emplaced machine guns. After countless deaths, more mechanised methods were adopted such as the flail tank where chains were mounted on rotating drums on an armoured vehicle. Many other techniques have subsequently been employed such as pushing rollers or using dogs. Recently a brand new technique with African origins has been developed. Tell me whether you endorse this method.
Main picture: The African pouched rat hard at work sniffing out mines
In the modern era when multiple modes of travel are available, the importance of railways is forgotten. It was the only means of rapid transport of bulk commodities and passengers over vast distances. It made industrialisation possible. Visit any industrial area and disused railway tracks are still in existence. The ease of transport for all but bulk commodities has been replaced with trucks and cars.
Main picture: Railway line from Uitenhage to Port Elizabeth
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Julius professes to be South Africa’s premier corruption buster yet he is implicated in financial imbroglios with Brett Kebble whilst a member of the ANCYL. Julius pays homage to the poor at every turn yet he himself dresses in faux Gucci style Tuxedo at an EFF party in Sandton immediately after the Manifesto launch as if his forbearance in having to dress down with his beloved poor had to be erased. Malema bemoans fraudulent leadership votes yet he himself rose in the ANCYL using those tactics.
Main picture: Members of Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) (in red) clash with security officials after being ordered out of the chamber during President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation address in Cape Town, February 12, 2015. The opening of South Africa’s parliament descended into chaos on Thursday as security officers fought with far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) lawmakers after they disrupted President Jacob Zuma’s speech.
Perhaps I am revealing my age when the latest incidents of “foot-in-mouth” disease went viral. In what can only be described as serendipity, I recalled these words in the first verse of an old classic by Peter, Paul and Mary entitled “Where have all the Flowers Gone?”
Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing?
Where have all the flowers gone, long time ago?
Where have all the flowers gone?
Young girls have picked them everyone.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Reality TV shows in which contestants lose enormous quantities of weight seem to suggest otherwise? In what can only be described as results vindicating those who are unable to lose weight, the release today in the Obesity Journal – 1st May 2016 – of the tests performed on those contestants seems to confirm the dismal performance of diets. In an article entitled The Science of Fat, Gina Kolata presents those findings.
Main picture: The most expensive artifact is the Space Station at USD 150 billion
Since the Krugersdorp Road Runners Club relocated their race from Central Krugersdorp to the Kromdraai / Sterkfontein Caves area over a decade ago, this race has definitely been one my favourite races. It is a genuine country run without the traffic flashing past at great speed. The undulating hills interspersed with game farms including a well-known lion farm provide an additional incentive to participate in this race. Again we were not disappointed as a liger was visible.
Main picture: Prior to the start, a hot air balloon silently floated over. All pictures by Margie Asprey Continue reading
Being of 1820 Settler Stock, the year 2020 looms large in my mind. The bicentennial represents a time when our family can reflect and rejoice on our time in South Africa and how much that hardy band of Settlers have contributed to South Africa’s development. Will any form of large scale celebration merely bring opprobrium to those celebrating it or will it bring mutual rejoicing as everybody shares in the commemoration? I fear the latter response.
Main picture: The Campanile was constructed between 1920 & 1922 in order to commemorate the arrival of the 1820 Settlers a centuary before
I am not referring to one’s wife. Perhaps in the not too distant future one will be able to replace them with robots but currently they are indispensable especially if one’s wife works or is invalid. I am referring to one’s maid. This blog exposes that binary condition as it recently applied in the McCleland household.
Pictures: This series of photographs is about garage doors
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I do not really recall much about Granny Dix as I was about twelve years old when she died. Notwithstanding that, I have vivid memories of her house from the stuffed animal head and a veritable herd of animal horns on the walls of the huge back veranda to the huge loquat tree in the stony back yard.
Main picture: Granny and grandpa Dix-Peek at 37 Eastbourne Road Port Elizabeth
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