Sunday 17 March 2013

March 2013 Edition.

SPRINGBOK CYBER NEWSLETTER

March 2013 edition

The whole world was of course shaken by the news that Oscar Pistorius, the most renowned paraplegic sportsman ever, had been arrested and charged with the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. At the present moment Pistorius has been released on bail and is awaiting trial, so we are therefore unable to comment or to speculate upon what actually happened, but there are several more general observations which we feel can and must be made.

Pistorius admits that he pulled the trigger which killed Steenkamp, but denies that he did this deliberately, mistaking her for a burglar hiding in the toilet when he shot through the door. Whichever case proves to be true it will still be a frightening condemnation of the situation prevailing in the “new” South African society. If he did kill her by mistake thinking that she was a burglar then it simply demonstrates the state of total paranoia which most White South Africans are now living in through fear of rampant crime in a totally lawless society, even though armed to the teeth and living behind guarded security fences. If he did shoot Steenkamp deliberately, however, then it merely confirms how low human life is valued in the “new” South Africa.

In fact the whole tragic incident illustrates yet again how South Africa has been totally transformed from an advanced first-world Western nation to a primitive third-world basket case in just a few short years. In this regard it shouldn’t be forgotten that Pistorius was born and brought up in the advanced civilized South Africa, and that this was the reason why he was able to have advanced surgery on his deformed lower legs and to be fitted with state-of-the-art prosthetics – and furthermore to receive advanced paraplegic sports training during his formative years. When this is born in mind his subsequent willingness to bear the flag of the ANC regime which has destroyed the previous civilized society which gave him so many opportunities in life seems sick in the extreme. There are those who claim that representing the “new” South Africa was his only chance of competing at a world and Paralympic level, but this is not true. He could always have used his Afrikaner ancestry to claim Dutch nationality, or even, as he received all his training during his professional career in Italy, applying for Italian citizenship – after all the large number of ex-South Africans currently playing for the Italian national Rugby side proves how easily Italy grants citizenship to those who can bring sporting glory to the country.

The whole sorry Pistorius saga has also revealed some further examples of how anarchic South African society now is. The initial detective who headed investigations, Warrant Officer Hilton Botha, is himself now under investigation for seven murders, and Pistorius’s own brother Carl is facing charges of culpable homicide. During recent months South Africa has also witnessed the mass shooting of striking mines and the sadistic dragging to death of an arrested taxi-driver behind a police van. Such incidents are of course commonplace in the lawless “new” South Africa, but alas are rarely reported in the international media because the collapsed “new” South Africa is no longer considered newsworthy.

There are those who alas still live in denial and ostrich-like refuse to accept what has actually happened to the once beloved South Africa. They talk about the beauty and natural splendours of the country still being the same, and imply that as a result the country itself is the same as it was before the National Party’s sell-out. The Pistorius case has therefore demonstrated that such an attitude is total nonsense. The “new” South Africa is not the same country as the civilized South Africa which existed when Pistorius was born. It is a totally different country simply occupying the same piece of geography.

It is the task of those of us who knew and loved the true South Africa to work towards the re-establishment of civilized rule in that beleaguered land. We must try to ensure that the next generation of South African paraplegic sportsmen – regardless of their race – are able to compete for a country which deserves and warrants pride, and not to have to live out their lives in – at best – walled and guarded compounds, or - at worst - in jail cells.

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SPRINGBOK CLUB NEWS

The Kent Branch of the Springbok Club held a most enjoyable pub-gathering last month, which is reported in more detail in the Branch News column.

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On Saturday 30th March the Springbok Club is planning a visit to the Churchill War Rooms in Whitehall. All those interested in attending should rendezvous at “The Old Star” pub (probably in the interesting cellar bar), 66 Broadway, Westminster (opposite St.James’s Park underground station) between 12.00 noon and 13.00 hrs, before strolling over to the Churchill War Rooms, which are situated at the foot of the Clive Steps on the corner of King Charles Street and Horse Guards Road, at approximately 13.15 hrs.. The party anticipates to be in the Churchill War Rooms for at least two hours, so if anyone who wishes to attend can’t make 13.15 hrs then don’t hesitate to enter separately and catch up with the rest of the party inside.

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In April 2013 it is anticipated that the Springbok Club will be addressed by a long-standing British friend of South Africa, and on 4th May 2013 the Springbok Club is planning a trip to Newmarket in order to see the running of the 2000 Guineas. Later during the year the organization is planning a visit to a scenic garden in Surrey which has strong Rhodesian connections, and in September 2013 will be participating in the “Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony” in Norfolk.

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SPRINGBOK CLUB BRANCH NEWS

Although the turnout at the Kent Branch pub-gathering in Canterbury last month was somewhat lower than hoped and expected, it even so turned out to be a most enjoyable and fruitful occasion, with a number of important decisions made for the future. The Branch is now planning to make another trip to the famous Rochester Sweeps Festival on Monday 6th May, to which all friends and supporters will be heartily invited.

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It is now anticipated that the Hampshire Branch of the Springbok Club will be holding a re-launch meeting during June 2013. Further details will be given in future editions of the SCN.

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SWINTON CIRCLE NEWS

The details of March’s Swinton Circle meeting are as follows :-

Date :  Tuesday 19th March 2013

Time :  Assemble from 18.30 hrs onwards, meeting to commence at 19.00 hrs

Venue : THE BAG O’ NAILS (the upstairs dining room), 6 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, London  SW1W 0PP.

[Nearest station: Victoria – exit via the main entrance of Victoria Station and turn left, then turn right into Buckingham Palace Road and the Bag O’ Nails is then about two blocks away on the left-hand side, about 5 minutes walk away.]

Guest Speaker :  The 14th Viscount Massereene & Ferrard.

John Skeffington, the 14th Viscount Massereene & Ferrard, was educated at Millfield School in Somerset and at the Institute Monte Rosa in Switzerland. From 1958 to 1962 he served with the Grenadier Guards, seeing active service in Germany. After a brief spell working with stockbroking companies in the City of London he went into partnership to found a chain of motor garages, before selling out to a larger chain and returning to the City, where he has continued working as a stockbroker to the present day. Married with three children, his hobbies include shooting, vintage cars and economic history. An active member of the House of Lords until the Labour Government removed the hereditary peers, he was President of the prestigious Conservative Monday Club for a number of years. A member of the Turf Club, Pratts’ Club and the Carlton Club, he also currently runs an arable farm in North Yorkshire. He has recently resigned from the Conservative Party after many years loyal service in order to join UKIP, and the subject of his speech will be “The Decline of Europe and the Western World, and what the future holds”.

We hope all members and supporters will make every effort to attend this most important and enthralling event.

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The Swinton Circle’s spring buffet will be held on St.George’s Day, Tuesday 23rd April, when the guest of honour will be a famous national journalist, and the organisation’s May meeting will take place on Wednesday 6th May, to be addressed by a sitting MP. More precise details of both these events will be given in future editions of the SCN.

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NEW BRITAIN NEWS

New Britain’s annual St.George’s Day celebration will this year take place on the Saturday prior to St.George’s Day itself, Saturday 20th April. Again more details will be given in next month’s SCN.

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S.A.PATRIOT-IN-EXILE No.37

We are extremely happy to announce that S.A.Patriot-in-Exile No.37 has now been printed and awaits distribution.  It looks very good, and for the first time has been produced in colour, and will undoubtedly make most absorbing reading! We hope therefore that all readers who are not already subscribers will be prepared to take out a subscription, and that as many supporters as possible will purchase bulk quantities in order to distribute as widely as possible. Current rates are as follows :-

Subscriptions :-
U.K. & Europe  :  £16.00 second-class, £18.00 first-class.
Southern Africa :  R240.00 surface mail, R360.00 air mail.
North America  :  $36.00 surface mail, $54.00 air mail.
Australasia        :  $40.00 surface mail, $60.00 air mail.

Bulk quantities :-
25 copies ... £16.00 or R160.00
50 copies ... £25.00 or R250.00
100 copies ... £40.00 or R400.00
200 copies ... £70.00 or R700.00

All payments can be made via PayPal by clicking on the “Donate” button at the bottom of the home page of the Swinton Circle web-site (www.swintoncircle.co.uk), or by cheque made payable to “Patriotic Press” and sent to: S.A.Patriot-in-Exile, BM SAPAT, London WC1N 3XX, U.K. Please also inform us if paying by PayPal, in order to avoid confusion with ordinary Swinton Circle payments.

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CORRECTION TO LAST MONTH’S REPORT FROM THE Z.C.T.F.

In last month’s SCN we carried a quite disturbing report concerning the destruction of ancient wetlands near Harare [Salisbury], which we had received from the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF). Subsequent to this, however, we have received a retraction and apology concerning this report from the ZCTF, which reads as follows :-

Last month we circulated a report concerning the destruction of wetlands in Harare.  In  that report we stated that Ken Sharpe in conjunction with an international Christian organisation and Kentucky Fried Chicken intends to build a conference facility and theme park on wetlands in Meyrick  Park and an enormous shopping centre on wetlands in Borrowdale. These statements were based on information which we were given by a source whom we considered on past experience to  be reliable. However, we have since been informed by Kentucky Fried Chicken that it has no involvement whatsoever in the plans  to develop the wetlands in Meyrick Park and Borrowdale.

“On receipt of this advice from Kentucky Fried Chicken we went back to the source of the information and he was unable to back up the information he had previously given us with any evidence. We accept that Kentucky Fried Chicken has no involvement in the plans to develop the Meyrick Park and Borrowdale wetlands.

“We therefore retract the allegation previously made against Kentucky Fried Chicken and are sending out this report to  correct the erroneous information which  we previously published. We apologise sincerely to Kentucky Fried Chicken and regret any embarrassment caused by the incorrect report.”

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LATEST FALKLAND ISLANDS NEWS

Most readers will be aware that the people of the Falkland Islands voted decisively and almost unanimously (1517 votes in favour, and only 3 against!) to remain a British Overseas Territory in a recent democratic referendum. As David Cameron has accurately stated “The white smoke over the Falklands was pretty clear”! The report about the referendum result which appeared in the Islands’ own daily newspaper, Penguin News read as follows :-

“In what is being described in the Falkland Islands as 'The Peoples Referendum', organised by the Falkland Islanders and with a 92% turnout (1517 valid votes cast) the people this evening declared yes, they do wish to remain a British Overseas Territory. 99.8% voted yes and 0.2% voted no.

“The referendum was conducted under the eyes of an Internationally recognised group of observers, Referendum International Observation Mission, under Head of Mission Brad Smith and Deputy Head of Mission Juan Manuel Henao.

“In a statement after the referendum result was announced Mr Smith said the Falkland Islands referendum process was, "free and fair," and reflected the will of the voters of the Falkland Islands. He said his team of observers concluded the voting process was conducted in accordance with international standards and local laws. 

“The team was made up of ten members from six different countries, ‘with no political alliances,’ from North, Central and South America and the South Pacific. 

“Most Islanders braved a very cold evening and celebrated the result at a party held in a park, Arch Green, on Stanley Seafront. Islanders took a very pageant style approach in the day before the referendum with a British and Falkland Islands flagged decorated convoy of more than 400 vehicles led by horses and motorbikes.”

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OLYMPIC FEVER

We have been most disturbed to learn that so shortly after the fantastically successful London Olympic Games the IOC has voted to remove Wrestling from the Olympic programme as from 2020.

Wrestling is of course one of the original Olympic sports dating all the way back to the ancient Olympic Games in Greece. Greco-Roman Wrestling, furthermore, was one of the sports which a number of our supporters were able to view live during the London Olympics, and contributed greatly to the euphoria and excitement of the whole Olympic experience.

As we’ve stated in the past however, there are several current Olympic “sports” which we believe have no place in such a historical Western sporting tradition – most notably the Eastern practices of Judo and Taekwondo, and the artificial judge-decided “sports” of synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics. It is these joke competitions which should be removed from the Olympic programme rather than the traditional and greatly loved Olympic sport of Wrestling!

Already President Putin of Russia has voiced strong objections to this inexplicable decision taken by the IOC, and we likewise add our own strong opposition!

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COMPUTER REPAIR SERVICES

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E-mail Bert Oosthuizen of Cybernetix IT Solutions on: berto@cybernetx.co.uk or visit: www.cybernetixit.co.uk for more info.

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SEARCH SERVICES FOR THOSE SEEKING LOST RELATIVES

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

Please use the search request form at :-


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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 from Amazon.com in print and electronic format.

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"LIEUTENANT COLONEL ALFRED JAMES TOMLINSON: MEMOIRS OF AN AFRICAN PIONEER AND BSAP OFFICER" is now available at Amazon.com, and can be shipped to anywhere in the world. This book contains excerpts from Lieut. Tomlinson's writings detailing his experiences as a member of the B.S.A. Police in Southern Rhodesia, where he rose from the rank of an ordinary trooper to retire as the commanding officer. It also includes the personal story of Majaqaba Ncube, a man who was enslaved by Lobengula when his entire village was massacred by the chief's soldiers. After he escaped, Lieut. Tomlinson saved him from certain death and gave him a job. They lost contact and were reunited after 45 years, when Majaqaba presented Lieut. Tomlinson with an earthenware jar.

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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.172:  Mr. TOMMY SMUTS-ERASMUS of Durban and Windhoek.

Tommy Smuts-Erasmus played as a backrow forward for Durban Collegians during the late-1970s. He was a distant relation of the great South African statesman Gen. Jan Christiaan Smuts (we believe a great-grandson of one of Smuts’s siblings) and either his parents or his grand-parents had double-barreled their surname in honour of their famous ancestry, and Tommy himself was extremely proud of his relationship to the great man. He moved to Windhoek in S.W.A. with his work around 1980, and started playing for Windhoek Wanderers R.F.C.. He had a fond liking for ice cream and chocolate sauce, and a number of old acquaintances would be very keen to learn what has happened to him.

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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH

We have recently been most inspired to learn that 13-year-old Max Keene plans to travel to the Arctic later this month and to cross the Baffin Island Traverse in order to raise funds for the Help for Heroes charity. We not only find it inspirational that one so young should undertake such an expedition, but also that he should do so in aid of such a worthy cause. We hope therefore that as many readers as possible will visit Max’s expedition web-site (detailed below) and will also be prepared to sponsor his endeavour.

http://maxgoestothearctic.co.uk/
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SHOWER AID

Sir,

A recent story I’ve read - £19 million British aid to South Africa - Zuma spends £17.5 million on a new palace.

Yours etc.,

M. Taylor, London, U.K..

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TALL ORDERS

Sir,

“UKIP supporter in exile” was right to point out the suspicious nature of Nikki Sinclair and her divisive activities aimed against the UKIP leadership [February SCN- Ed.]. Do you think she is being controlled by sinister forces?

Yours etc.,

“UKIP supporter not in exile”, north of Watford, U.K..

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OBITUARY

ANTHONY WALLER

It was with great sorrow that we learnt of the recent untimely death of Anthony “Tony” Waller.

Tony Waller was born in south-east London in 1942, and was a lifelong Charlton Athletic supporter. He initially worked in banking in the City of London, joining the Standard Chartered group where he made rapid progress. His work took him to South Africa during the 1970s, a country which he came to love tremendously.

Following the retirement of his father, however, he took over the running of the family pet food and supplies shop in Eltham. His experiences at Standard Chartered and in South Africa helped to make him a strong Empire/Commonwealth man and a staunch EuroSceptic however, and he became an active member of Sir James Goldsmith’s Referendum Party during the 1990s. It was through this involvement that he first made contact with the Swinton Circle and from there to the Springbok Club – organisations wherein he felt very ideologically at home, and indeed he subsequently held office in both bodies.

Tony Waller had many great virtues – friendliness, intellectual insight and genuine patriotism being the most notable – but alas, like most humans, he also had a few failings. The most tragic of these was his general “laid-back attitude” and consequent lack of dynamism (perhaps he caught “Natal Fever” whilst staying in Durban!). This failing on his part unfortunately caused great problems following his trip to New Zealand (where he had family members) in 2005. He was asked – and agreed – to make contact with two expatriate southern African organizations whilst in the country on behalf of the Springbok Club, and then to give a report-back about what he found at a Springbok Club meeting upon his return. Alas he failed to meet up with either of these two bodies, in spite of one having planned a special “welcome to New Zealand” event in his honour and the other contacting the Springbok Club in desperation by e-mail after a ‘phone call from him ended abruptly and no effort being made to ring back. Needless to say this failure to do as promised caused much embarrassment for the Springbok Club, and undoubtedly damaged the reputation of the organization in the eyes of both expatriate organizations in New Zealand. Even worse was to follow however, for without making any contacts as arranged he wasn’t able to deliver his advertised “report-back” talk upon his return, and his regrettable attitude to this seemed simply to shrug his shoulders and say “so what”. As a result of this whole sorry and avoidable episode all contact with both the Swinton Circle and the Springbok Club then ceased for a while.

In spite of this Tony still remained active with the Kent Branch of the Rhodesians Worldwide organization however, and was also elected a Conservative Councillor on Sevenoaks District Council – whereon he evidently gained a very high reputation for his diligence and ability. During the past couple of years he also made friendly contact with both the Swinton Circle and the Springbok Club again, and it was hoped therefore that he would become actively involved with both organizations once more, but unfortunately his tragically early death (he was alas a life-long heavy smoker) put on end to this hope.

In spite of the most regrettable problems of 2005 we still prefer to remember the many happy and positive memories about Tony Waller. Our sincere condolences are extended to his daughter Fiona and his son-in-law Justin at this sad time.

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See you again next month!