Monday 19 December 2011

December 2011 Edition.

SPRINGBOK CYBER NEWSLETTER


December 2011 edition

The recent death of Basil D'Oliveira has sparked much - perhaps predictable - media misinformation about the circumstances surrounding the abortive England Cricket Tour of South Africa in 1968/69. Now is therefore probably a good time to set the record straight.

D'Oliveira was undoubtedly a very decent and uncontroversial figure himself - as Graeme Hick's touching comments upon his death seem to confirm. It was just his misfortune to have been used as a puppet by those who wished to rupture sporting relations between Britain and South Africa, and thereby to help bring an end to civilised rule in South Africa.

D'Oliveira was a gifted Coloured Cricketer who represented South Africa's Coloured side (who then proudly used the Springbok title) on a tour to Kenya. He subsequently played League Cricket in England, where he was spotted by Worcestershire coaching staff who offered him a contract to play for the county. In accepting he lied significantly about his age - probably the only real offence which he personally committed.

D'Oliveira's batting was erratic; at times he could produce some truly brilliant innings's, but at other times he would be out to the most rash of shots. His bowling was only military-medium, though when conditions suited him he could be very effective. In the field he was slow and unspectacular. In short he was nowhere near Test standard.

In spite of this there started to be a media clamour for his inclusion in the England Test side. This clamour was spearheaded by the repulsive Peter Wilson of the Daily Mirror, a journalist well-known for his ultra-pessimism who never usually had a good word to say for any British sportsman or sprortswoman. In 1966 the England selectors gave in to this media pressure and selected D'Oliveira to play in the home series against the West Indies. This selection in itself was probably invalid as D'Oliveira had earlier that year been included in a Rest of the World squad to face England (though in the end he was not selected for the final XI) which should have disqualified him from playing for England for a further three years. In an era before it was common for foreign-born players to represent England D'Oliveira's selection was not very popular with England fans - not because of his colour, but because he was seen as depriving a native-born Englishman of a Test place. As a result he was often booed, including at Lords.

Throughout 1966 and 1967 D'Oliveira's performances for England were erratic, so it was therefore not surprising that he was dropped after the first Test against Australia in 1968. His dropping sparked a "conspiracy theory" by the wretched Wilson and his cronies however, who peddled the idea that the England selectors only dropped him because they didn't want him in their forthcoming 1968/69 tour of South Africa. If any "conspiracies" were involved in this whole unfortunate affair then they came to light shortly before the final Ashes Test at the Oval however. Roger Prideaux pulled out injured, and - seemingly intimidated by Wilson's clamour - the England selectors chose D'Oliveira in his place. D'Oliveira's county form that season certainly didn't justify his recall however, and his selection was made even more suspicious by the fact that he wasn't a like-for-like replacement - Prideaux being a top-order batsman, whereas D'Oliveira was a batting all-rounder. Although D'Oliveira produced the best Test innings of career in this match he was not included in the MCC (England) squad to tour South Africa which was announced shortly afterwards. This squad, however, had been made - but not announced - prior to the Oval Test and Prideaux's withdrawal. His non-inclusion, predictably, sent Wilson and his ultra-Leftist cohorts into overdrive. It was then that an even more sinister development took place, for Tom Cartwright (who it was revealed after his recent death had been a life-long hardcore Socialist) withdrew from the squad citing injury problems. Intimidated once again by the Wilson-led media hysteria - aided by now by Parliamentary pressure by his namesake's Labour administration - the England selectors caved-in to this pressure and announced D'Oliveira as Cartwright's replacement. This was even less of a like-for-like replacement however, as Cartwright was a medium-fast strike bowler!

It was here where the true controversy really began. South African Prime Minister John Vorster - who had been fully prepared to grant D'Oliveira (and any other non-White player who was selected on merit for that matter, such as Harry Latchman who many media pundits had included in their potential squads) honorary White status for the duration of the tour - made a statement that he regarded the blatantly political interference in the selection of the MCC squad to be unacceptable. The sincerity of Vorster's stance in this regard was confirmed by the subsequent granting of honorary White status to the half-Samoan Bryan Williams during the following All Blacks Rugby tour of South Africa.

These are the facts. D'Oliveira was not "banned" from touring South Africa with the England squad because of his colour or because of his South African birth. The South African government objected to his inclusion in the squad solely because of the blatant political interference in the selection of a sporting team, which they believed should have been based purely upon merit. The course of history will undoubtedly set the record straight regarding this whole sorry affair.

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SPRINGBOK CLUB NOVEMBER ACTIVITY

A sizeable contingent of Springbok Club members and supporters attended the Rhodesian Army Association's annual Service of Remembrance at Westminster last month. This proved to be not only a very moving event, but also a most encouraging occasion. Representatives were present - together with this colours - from not only the RAA but also from the Rhodesian Air Force Association, the BSAP Regimental Association, the Internal Affairs Department and several of the individual Rhodesian regimental associations. Many good and long-standing friends and supporters were met at this event, including some who we'd only previously been in contact with by correspondence.

After the solemn ceremony itself several of the Springbok Club members in attendance took part in a conducted tour through the near-by Victoria Embankment Gardens led by Springbok Club Treasurer Susan Gordon. Statues to many British heroes were honoured there, including several with Imperial African connections, such as Sir Bartle Frere and General "Chinese" Gordon.

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SPRINGBOK CLUB DECEMBER ACTIVITY

The Springbok Club will be holding a special social gathering during the evening of Thursday 22nd December in central London, at which encouraging events of the past few months will be celebrated and provisional arrangements for a most eventful 2012 will be planned. Full details about this activity will be circulated to all members and supporters very shortly.

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FUTURE SPRINGBOK CLUB EVENTS

The Springbok Club's 2012 AGM will be held in January 2012 at a location in central London. Full details will of course be notified to all fully paid-up members in due course.

During the early few months of 2012 the Springbok Club will be holding a number of events, meetings and excursions which will be orientated towards the build-up to the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. More details will of course be announced in future editions of the SCN.

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SWINTON CIRCLE NEWS

The Swinton Circle has been invited to join the Springbok Club for their special social gathering on Thursday 22nd December, and it is hoped that as many supporters as possible will be able to attend this event.

Plans are now in preparation for three most interesting Swinton Circle meetings in January, February and March 2012, and of course full details will be given in future editions of the SCN as soon as arrangements have been finalised.

Donations to the Swinton Circle can now be made via PayPal by accessing the organisation's main web-site at: www.swintoncircle.co.uk. The Swinton Circle also now has a presence on Twitter, on which news about the organisation and policy statements are periodically posted. This can be found on Twitter@SwintonCircle.

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LATEST REPORT FROM THE ZIMBABWE CONSERVATION TASK FORCE

MUGABE GIVES ELEPHANTS TO CHINA

Zimbabwe has donated 3 elephants to China. This was in appreciation for the fact that China helped President Mugabe's wife build an orphanage for 1000 children.

On the 19th May this year, President Mugabe reaffirmed the Presidential Decree, protecting the Presidential Herd of elephants. We do not know where the 3 donated elephants came from but on the one hand, the president is promising to protect the elephants, and on the other, he is giving them away - subjecting them to a long traumatic journey which they may not even survive.

INJURED HIPPO IN CHARARA

Towards the end of October, Charara residents spotted an injured hippo on the flood plain. The hippo was clearly suffering and at least 2 people reported the matter to Kariba National Parks and asked them to come and put the animal out of its misery. Four days later, National Parks had failed to respond and the hippo died. If National Parks had only responded quickly, this poor animal could have been saved a lot of pain and anguish.

TWO RHINOS KILLED IN MAZUNGA

Two rhinos were killed by poachers in the Mazunga Conservancy area of Beit Bridge. One of the poachers, Lloyd Ndou was shot by game ranchers and is now fighting for his life. His four accomplices have escaped with rhino horns worth $120,000.

ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE

We have received complaints about a Chinese owned milling company in Shamva, next door to the GMB. It is alleged that local gold miners in Umfurudzi, Shamva and Bindura take their ore to the milling company to have the gold extracted. The milling company sells 3,5 kilograms of mercury to each miner and this mercury is then used in separating the gold from the ore. After separation, the balance of the ore is dumped in a huge pile which is now approximately 15 feet high, 30 feet wide and 60 feet long and the complainants are concerned that there doesn't seem to be any evidence that the mercury is removed from the waste ore prior to dumping. The mill runs 24 hours per day and mills 4 tons of ore per hour This means that approximately 96 tons are milled and dumped per day. One miner claims that he used 700 grams of mercury to process 28 tons of ore.

The biggest concern is that when the rains come, the mercury contaminated waste ore will be washed into the Mazoe River system, poisoning the water which is a hazard both for the aquatic life and the humans in the area. Mercury is poisonous and can cause various diseases including cancer. It is believed that no Environmental Impact Assessment has been done and we are appealing to the Environmental Management Authority to please investigate the situation urgently.

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KLEINFONTEIN BOEREBELANGE KOöPERATIEF BEPERK

Kleinfontein is a community of approximately 1000 members of the Afrikaner people. We have established a settlement on property owned, controlled and managed by its members with a view to promote their identity in a safe and economically viable environment. This settlement was established in accordance with certain clauses in the South African constitution which makes provision for a form of territorial self-determination for people who share the same religious, linguistic and cultural values. The development is structured within a non-profit co-operative, is managed by mainly unpaid volunteers, is financed by its own members and consequently receives no financial assistance from the government. In view of the struggle of our people to retain our right to live in a dignified way, and government actions to impoverish our people legally by barring White persons from meaningful access to economic participation, any form of support, especially financial, will be appreciated. More than seventy White squatter camps (mainly Afrikaners) in our vicinity (Pretoria) are waging a battle to survive. The funds will be used for community upliftment programmes such as the upgrading of facilities at our home for the aged who need medical support, and our Christian primary school. Further information can be acquired at our website: www.kleinfontein.net

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OLYMPIC FEVER

At the Swinton Circle's AGM in October a motion was passed that the organisation "....should give its full support to a united Great Britain Association Football side taking part in the 2012 London Olympic Games, and should publicise our stance on this matter as widely as possible."

Since then Stuart Pierce, the Team GB manager, has stated his determination to select players from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales as well as from England, in spite of objections being raised by the NIFA, SFA and WFA. Furthermore, both the Welsh players Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale have recently been photographed proudly wearing Team GB shirts - much to the chagrin of WFA officials. The arguments of the NIFA, SFA and WFA hierarchies that a united Great Britain side competing in the Olympics would somehow damage the standing of their respective Home nations as individual entities in other Soccer competitions such as the World Cup does not stand up to examination. In Rugby Union the long-standing British Lions touring sides have not affected the ability of the individual Home Unions to compete individually in the Rugby World Cup etc., and united Great Britain Hockey sides have for long competed in the Olympics without preventing the international status of the respective Hockey Home nation sides in other competitions.

The Swinton Circle has now written to a number of national newspapers expressing our support and admiration for Stuart Pierce, Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale in this regard. It remains to be seen whether any of these letters are published.

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SEARCH SERVICE FOR THOSE SEEKING LOST CONTACTS

Find any South African, even those who have emigrated. We also search Botswana, Namibia and ex-Rhodesia/Zimbabwe.

http://www.bellemodel.biz/emails/emails.html

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MAKE YOUR OWN BILTONG AT THE FRACTION OF THE COST ....

Biltongmakers.Com has, for over 10 years, put a smile on many a South African face. No longer do they have to pay exorbitant prices for biltong that in most cases is not even to their liking!

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Please visit www.biltongmakers.com and see all they have available.

You will never be without some REAL South African Biltong again!

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FLAGS etc.

The Springbok Club/ELC now retails Union Flag lapel badges and key-rings, price £2.00 each (plus 20% p&p).

Payments should be made to "The Springbok Club" and sent to: BM SAPAT, London WC1N 3XX, UK., or via PayPal on the Springbok Club's web-site at www.springbokclub.org.uk.

Copies of S.A.Patriot-in-Exile (editions 30 to 36) are still available price R5.00 or 50p each, as well as batches of 50 copies (including copies of the original S.A.Patriot) price R80.00 or £8.00 (plus 20% for p&p.)

Payments should be made to "Patriotic Press" and sent to: BM SAPAT, London WC1N 3XX, UK.

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BOOK OFFERS

"REDNECK P.I." a romantic suspense novel by Trish Jackson.

"Twila's a redneck and proud of it. Harland's a P.I. with a target on his back and a twin brother. An explosive situation!"

Available at www.uncialpress.com in electronic format and will soon be available on Amazon in print form.

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"GOVERNMENT BY DECEPTION" by Jan Lamprecht

Details the disasters of Mugabe's Zimbabwe, and illustrates the similarities between Mugabe's rule and that of Mandela/Mbeki in South Africa. It can be ordered on-line at: www.AfricanCrisis.org

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"P.K. VAN DER BYL - AFRICAN STATESMAN" by Hannes Wessels

ISBN: 978-1-920143-49-7 / paperback / illustrated
Retail price: R250.00, Web-site price: R200.00 + postage

The narrative gives the reader an overview of the history of the White man in southern Africa with detailed emphasis on the Rhodesian story through the life and times of PK van der Byl, one of the major players in a political drama that ended in the accession to power of Robert Mugabe under the auspices of the British government. By his very nature PK was controversial and confrontational. This account is likely to give offence to some because it portrays him as bluntly as he was in real life. Much can be contested about PK van der Byl but few will dispute he was an extremely colourful character with a devilish sense of humour. This memoir covers his life with a full flourish while doing nothing to detract from the seriousness of the international political and military conflict in which he was engaged. The reader will glean new information on a highly controversial subject and emerge with a more sympathetic understanding of what PK van der Byl and his colleagues did and strove for. The human tragedy that has followed the removal from power of Ian Smith and his Rhodesian Front party will almost certainly force the reader to deal with some uncomfortable conclusions, of value to anyone sincere about grappling with the volatile and deeply troubling challenges that confront all Africans today.

This book and others of interest can be purchased from 30 Degrees South via their web-site: www.30degreessouth.co.za

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"BLUE WATCH" by Gwyn Fford-Osborne

Rhodesia, in 1975 and a bloody vicious civil war is at its height. A war between the White minority supported by the Black majority and the ZAPU and ZANU terrorist groups, supported by Zambia and Mozambique. Kensington, a small town in the farming belt has been the subject of several terrorist attacks but with only a small police force for defence, the local T.A. unit having been called up for service on the Zambia border the situation appears grim. Until Iffor Meredith turns up on a pilgrimage to meet up with his wife and son of his old army buddy, recently murdered by terrorists. A deadly ambush on the "Dix" family and his escape from a land mine attack makes Iffor determined to offer resistance of some form or other to the terrorists. His application to join the Rhodesian Army has been accepted and he sets about forming a small militia. With all the fit men already on call up, who can he recruit from. Then he's invited to a darts match at the Moth Club and meets up with the remnants of the town's Fire Brigade, the men considered too old for call up. Blue Watch.

Available from: www.diadembooks.com

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"THE SEVEN WATCHMEN" by David Ruppert

A new fascinating novel titled "The Seven Watchmen" by David Ruppert should appeal to South Africans and ex-Rhodesians. It can be ordered from Crest Publishing in South Africa at www.crestpublishing.co.za - or those abroad can buy it directly from David at rupedf72@comcast.net. It's also available on www.Amazon.com

Glenn MacAskill and Michael Bowery of Crest Publishing have also written three books each. Glenn MacAskill is ex-BSAP Special Branch and still working (as Mugabe has denied him any pension) and Michael Bowery is ex-South African Special Forces. Due to the difficulties confronting White writers in the "new" South Africa they launched Crest Publishing to self-publish their own books, and have been doing this since October 2006. Michael Bowery is author of: "Canham's Run", "The Sligo Piper" and "Kill the President", whilst Glenn MacAskill is author of: "King's Gold", "Crime Lords" and "Of Royal Blood". Special discounts to ex-servicemen, Rhodies and Springboks!

For more information, or to make an order, please contact Crest Publishing at: P.O.Box, 97910, Petervale, Transvaal, 2151, South Africa, e-mail: crestbooks@mweb.co.za, or visit the Crest Publishing web-site at: www.crestpublishing.co.za

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"THE SAINTS" - DVD versions of the book about the history of the RLI

Now available from Msasa Enterprises. Contact: msasasa@iafrica.com or UK tel.: 07732 685400.

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?

No.157 :  Miss LOUISE LEIPER of Durban

Louise Leiper was a trainee nurse at Addington Hospital, Durban, during the mid-1970s. A most beautiful young woman, she journeyed to Edinburgh where she evidently had family roots shortly after qualifying, stating that she had no intention of ever returning to South Africa. It is not known whether she fulfilled this ambition or not, but even so it would be very interesting to learn what became of her.

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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH

With 2012 now only just around the corner, it is probably a good time to have a look at the official London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games web-site. This can be accessed at:-

http://www.london2012.com/

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SAUERKRAUTS

[If anything last month's editorial regarding the German dominance of the EU stimulated more responses than even the previous month's editorial about the Rugby World Cup finals. There was a mixture of reactions both in favour and against the comments which we made, and we re-print below just four of the messages which we received.]


Sir,

Perhaps you might draw the attention of your readers to the web-site I founded in 1994 FreeNations (www.freenations.freeuk.com) and to my YouTube video already watched by over 6,000 world wide:

"The Nazis and Fascists who founded the EU, and their influence today" by Rodney Atkinson

(To avoid jerky playback, please allow the video to 'load' into your computer before viewing)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nf5KeC4dAs

This is a video based on a speech by Rodney Atkinson at a public meeting at the Houses of Parliament, London on 26th February 2008 (updated 2010).

Yours etc.,

Rodney Atkinson, Northumberland, U.K.

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Sir,

The financial situation in Europe is effecting us all, so it is of significance.

Yours etc.,

Reg Watson, Tasmania, Australia

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Sir,

Italy and Greece are in trouble because they spent more money than they earned. Other nations will follow.

If Germany had plans for world domination they would not be allowing themselves to be overrun by African immigrants the same way the rest of
Europe is.

The Germans are just a little more frugal and hardworking than the rest of Europe. But they too are facing the same sad fate.

Yours etc.,

Jim Schneider, Texas, U.S.A.

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Sir,

If I might disagree - the Morgenthau Plan would have meant mass starvation and the economic ruin of Europe. The Marshall Plan saved Western Europe from Communist takeover.

Yours etc.,

Mark Taylor, London, U.K.

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OBITUARY

CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS

Christopher Hitchens, who died last week, was one of the greatest writers in the English language and perhaps the most erudite political commentator of the last half-century.

Often portrayed as a Leftist who moved radically to the Right during his lifetime, this is probably too simplistic an interpretation. The belief in a socialist command economy does not necessarily mean that the holder does not also possess profound patriotic beliefs and great love for their own country its culture and its people. Christopher Hitchens was certainly a British patriot from his earliest journalistic days, as his full-hearted support for the rights of the Falkland Islanders during the Falklands War confirms. Perhaps however, in view of his subsequent move to the United States, where he gained international acclaim as the leading columnist in the influential magazine "Vanity Fair", it would be more accurate to term him a Western patriot, rather than specifically a British patriot. He gave passionate and superbly argued support to President George W. Bush and Tony Blair in their quest to protect the West in the War against Islamic Terror - something which put him in fierce diametric opposition to stereotype Leftists such as George Galloway, and even his own controversial brother Peter Hitchens, whose political odyssey seems to have been in exactly the opposite direction.

The strongest condemnation of Christopher Hitchens related to his atheist proselytising. Closer examination of his firmly-held beliefs in this regard shows that he was not a dogmatic Dawkinsite who believed that the universe was created by nothing, but rather he was someone who vehemently rejected the Judeo-Christian concept of God. To Hitchens a single omnipresent God who allowed so much suffering to exist was not worthy of worship.

Christopher Hitchens was totally fearless in stating his views and beliefs in an honest and forthright manner. He was also not afraid to attack a number of "sacred cows" who other journalists and writers seemed too frightened to condemn, such as President John F. Kennedy and Henry Kissinger (probably for the wrong reasons) and self-righteous do-gooders such as Diana, Princess of Wales, "Mother" Teresa and Pope John Paul II. Love him or loath him, few could surely deny Christopher Hitchen's sincerity and his journalistic and oratory talents. The world is without doubt a lesser place for his demise.

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See you again next month!