the Muse - Mar 2023

Bryan Dean Heleen Meyer Home Made Muesli CEO and founder Dragonfly Aerospace

Cover: Blastoff (from Florida) of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on its Transporter-6 Mission on 3 January 2023 carrying the SA microsatellite built by Dragonfly Aerospace in Stellenbosch. Six more SA-made Dragonfly microsatellites will be launched over the next three years forming a satellite constellation providing images and data relevant to agriculture — the first such constellation in space industry history. Pinelands dad and Dragonfly CEO Bryan Dean shares his experiences of the launch. See article Pages 8/9

PLUS ÇA CHANGE, PLUS C’EST LA MÊME CHOSE...

Looking back at my editorial from this time last year, travel bans had just been lifted and we were looking forward to a lot more freedom. Things were changing - the disaster was finally nearing its end. Power cuts weren’t too bad and there were "plans" in hand to sort it out. Things were definitely looking up again! Now, as I sit writing this editorial a year later, there is a very unseasonal North-Westerly gale blowing with lashings of rain, while another spell of stage 6 power cuts is in place and we again wait to see what a new state of disaster will mean for us. It puts me in mind of the French title of this editorial which was penned by a certain Frenchman, Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr in 1849. It translates roughly as “The more things change, the more they stay the same”. The Cape weather will always be unpredictable, despite the changing seasons and despite promises, restructuring, Commissions of Enquiry, Committees and States of Disaster, power cuts stubbornly remain and even accelerate.

The saying is particularly apt when you consider the circumstances under which it was written. We all know of the French Revolution of 1789 when Napoleon Bonaparte replaced the Monarchy with the First Republic, later to become his own Napoleonic Empire. There were two further revolutions though. In 1814 a Bourbon Monarchy was restored and in 1830 the July Revolution saw them replaced with an Orléans Monarchy. Then, in 1848, the February Revolution saw another Napoleon (the nephew of the first one) throw out the Monarchy again and replace it with the Second Republic, which then also became another Napoleonic Empire... which was later replaced with another new Republic...

All the while, life for common people did not improve much at all, despite the monumental changes in government, all with their grand promises. And so, it was in 1849 that Karr’s immortal observation was penned, “The more things change, the more they stay the same”. Does that sound a little pessimistic or fatalistic? It is not intended to be. I think it just reminds us that governments, left or right wing, are generally very poor agents of effective change and that the most fruitful changes for the common people are likely to come from those same people doing it for themselves. Waiting for change to happen can take an historically long time. I hope you enjoy this edition.

Max Schutte

Editor and Advertising

Max Schutte

Writer and Photographer

Glynnis Schutte

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Red-Chested Cuckoo

Commonly known as a Piet-My-Vrou this cuckoo has a reddish breast and a slategrey back. The juvenile has a blackish head, breast and upper parts. It is best located by its characteristic three-note call, Piet-MyVrou. The female call is a shrill “pipipipipi” call. They are usually solitary and highly vocal in summer, even at night, calling from a hidden perch high in a tree. Red-chested cuckoos are a common intra-African migrant. The female lays her eggs mainly in the nests of robin-chats, but also thrushes, fly catchers and wagtails. The cuckoo egg hatches within 13 to 15 days. The chick has a hollow back used to evict the host eggs and or young within 4 days of hatching.

Featured bird text by John McFarlane a keen birder residing at Pinewood Village, Pinelands. His birding passion has taken him to most parts of South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. "Being retired makes it easier to get away" he says.

© Copyright reserved. All editorial content and graphics are copyright and may not be copied, republished or re-used without the express permission of The Muse Magazine, which reserves all rights. Parts of this publication may also be subject to separate copyright by other parties.

www.pinelandsdirectory.co.za

The Muse proudly displays the “FAIR” stamp of the Press Council of South Africa, indicating our commitment to adhere to the Code of Ethics for Print and online media which prescribes that our reportage is truthful, accurate and fair. Should you wish to lodge a complaint about our news coverage, please lodge a complaint on the Press Council’s website www.presscouncil.org.za or email the complaint to enquiries@ombudsman.org.za. Contact the Press Council on 011 484 3612.

Muse editor Max Schutte

Wednesday 1 Mar 2023

HAPPY HOUR SOCIAL GROUP

Meet at the Pinelands library from 9:30am to 11am for "Cape Malay Traditions". All welcome. Call Santa at 021 531 2600.

Friday 3 Mar 2023

GRACE PRIMARY OPEN DAY

Learn more about the "living education" offered by Grace Primary. The programme runs from 8:45am to 10:30am. Email admin@graceprimary.org.

Saturday 4 Mar 2023

PINELANDS METHODIST CHURCH

"HOME GROWN" MARKET

The Market is back at 2 Union Avenue from 9am to 1pm. Open to all with free admission. Friendly fellowship also comes free. Various value-for-money stalls and plenty of good food available. Call Joan on 082 810 1889.

Thursday 9 Mar 2023

WESTERN CAPE BLOOD SERVICE

Donate blood at St Stephens Church Main Hall, Central Square, from 3pm until 7:15pm. Confirm times at 021 507 6300.

Wednesday 15

MEERENDAL PRE-PRIMARY OPEN DAY

You are warmly invited to pop in and visit us in our beautiful garden and learn more about our happy little school in Nursery Way. Children are welcome. No booking required.

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS!

Wednesday 15 Mar 2023

PAGE TURNERS BOOK CLUB

Join the adult book club from 10am to 11am in the Library committee room. Guest speaker will be Mogamat Salie, author of Chicken Legs: A Loner’s Way (autism memoir).

Wednesday 29 Mar 2023

PINELANDS STAMP CIRCLE

Meet at 6:30pm in the Activities Hall at Pinelands Library. Andrew Mackenzie will be showing his late father's exhibit on "David Livingstone". There will also be a voluntary exhibit on "Easter". All welcome. Call Martin 021 689 5050.

Mon-Tues 3-4 April 2023

JOURNEY TO THE CROSS AT PINELANDS METHODIST CHURCH

All are welcome to a meditative walk at your own pace. The venue is at the church at 2 Union Avenue and will be open on:

Monday 3rd: 2pm to 8pm

Tuesday 4th: 9am to 12 noon.

For more information contact the church office on 021 531 8972.

Send content for the April 2023 edition by 17 Mar 2023. R160 ensures placement in the calendar.

PINELANDS CENTENARY TENNIS FESTIVAL

By Mandy Black Event coordinator

Turning 100 is a big deal. To kick-start their 2023 centenary celebrations, Pinelands Tennis Club hosted an action-packed, funfilled tennis festival on 20 and 21 January. The tournament, open to all levels, featured some of the top players from clubs around Cape Town.

Hayley Nel and Chelsea Steward (Table View Tennis Club) won the ladies’ doubles, beating Jenny Cerff and Aletta Basson (Pinelands Tennis Club) in the finals. Chevaan Davids and Andrew Hegie (Constantia and Milnerton Tennis Clubs respectively) took down Norman McCarthy and Nick Kulenkampff (Pinelands Tennis Club) in the men’s finals.

“Opening our centenary celebrations with a tennis festival is more than just about great tennis, it also signifies the deeper social and community importance of the club,” said Rory Bosman, chairman of Pinelands Tennis Club. “The club has been a constant in the area since Pinelands was just a forest with a couple of cottages. We’re proud to have been a part of the lives of many thousands of members over the 100 years.”

Ladies’ runners-up Jenny Cerff & Aletta Basson with winners Hayley Nel & Chelsea Steward

From left to right: Bob Low, life member and current president of Pinelands Tennis Club, winners Chevaan Davids and Andrew Hegie, Rory Bosman (chairman of Pinelands Tennis Club) with runners-up Norman McCarthy and Nick Kulenkampff, and Pinelands councillor Riad Davids.

COUNTESS BOLZA CELEBRATES HER 100TH BIRTHDAY!

Pinelands library ColleC ts donations for shelter Pets

Patrons of Pinelands Library ensured that cats and dogs were not forgotten over the past gift-giving festive season. During the months of December 2022 and January 2023, Pinelands Library encouraged patrons to hand in donations at their festive drop off zone, collecting pet food and other supplies to benefit Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) in Epping, a non-profit animal rescue organization involved in all aspects of animal welfare: protecting and caring for animals in need. The library is thrilled with the success of the drive, and pleased that their goal of giving back and raising awareness was achieved. "We thank our patrons and the Pinelands community for spreading kindness and showing their generous support."

ST GEORGE’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL

FOUNDED 1848

Saturday 11 March

St George’s Grammar Sports Fields GEORGIAN FAIR

Born in Wiesbaden, Germany, on January 6th 1923, Countess Bolza spent her first 5 years in Paris, some years in Stockholm, Sweden, and from the age of 10 until 1944, in Hungary. Due to the war, they left for Sweden and she married her husband Count Istvan Bolza in 1948. She organized his escape from Hungary, and they lived in Sweden until 1951, when they emigrated to Somerset West, where her children grew up. Her eldest son lives in Canada, the other son in Australia, and her daughter, born on her birthday, lives in Cape Town. Countess Bolza is a great-grandmother to 3 great-granddaughters. Her husband Count Bolza, passed away at the age of 56 and as her children were all adults by then, she returned to Stockholm for a few years, where she met and married another Hungarian. They had 19 happy years together in Gordon’s Bay, until he died aged 93. She moved to the Helen Keller Society 11 years ago, and is very happy there.

St George’s Grammar School is celebrating our 175-year milestone with a host of special events. We look forward to spending time with the Georgian community, young and old making new memories while appreciating the road we’ve travelled to get here.

Thursday 20 April

St George’s Cathedral, Cape Town ST GEORGE’S DAY SERVICE

July 2023

175

BLANKETS FOR MANDELA DAY

The 175th family celebration event promises to be a day of fun. Activities from the Georgian era include a Tug-of-War, Georgian themed play, photo booth, and more. There will be food stalls and an epic Battle of the Bands competition. For details on how to enter contact info@sggs.co.za

Wednesday 29 March

St George’s Grammar Sports Fields INTSHINGA

PRIMARY

SPORTS DAY

Following a community upliftment initiative led by a current pupil at St George’s Grammar, the school has partnered with Intshinga Primary School in Gugulethu. The sports day will have both schools enjoying a day of sporting activities together.

A commemorative service where, as a community, we will share in a time of reflection and thanksgiving.

Thursday 4 - Saturday 6 May

St George’s Grammar, Geof Burton Hall TIME WILL TELL

Time Will Tell, a production by St George’s Grammar High School pupils, where they will take us through a journey in time, sharing memorable moments in the history of the school.

Saturday 27 May

St George’s Grammar, Geof Burton Hall

175 CELEBRATION GALA DINNER

An elegant celebration of our 175-year milestone, where all in attendance will enjoy a night of fine dining and great entertainment.

The school community will collect 175 blankets to commemorate our 175th year and donate them to those in need in support of Mandela Day.

Wednesday 13 - Saturday 16 September

TIME

St George’s Grammar, Geof Burton Hall

Time, is a production by St George’s Grammar Prep School pupils. Time travelling pupils take us on an adventure through the ages.

EVENTS

AACL adoption officers Ilandi and Brent with Lauren Proctor from Pinelands library

READING FOR HOPE

Calling for Volunteers!

NGO Lerato's Hope supports a programme led by volunteers called Reading for Hope

After a pause during COVID in 2020 and 2021 the programme re-started in 2022 by sending adults from the church community and beyond into EA Janari

Primary in Bonteheuwel, and Silverlea

Primary in Athlone once a week to read with children selected by teachers in the schools. Sharon James a retired teacher of PNPS leads this team of volunteers and put together the system used to help children struggling with literacy but with potential to improve. Each child receives 30 minutes of one-on-one attention for them to work on phonics, spelling, writing and reading, using the Oxford Reading Tree books: levels 1 to 7, educational games, flashcards and stationery. The time is used to read with the children, build up their confidence and

PINELANDS R3 650 000

build relationships. This half hour becomes a special time in which the children have undivided attention. If you would like to volunteer please contact Stephany - details below:

Stephany Rajagukguk Project Co-ordinator, Lerato's Hope. Email: admin@leratoshope.org.za

timoth sParks Published

Special congratulations to Cannons Creek Grade 12 pupil, Timothy Sparks, whose essay 'The Man on the Island', was selected for publication in 'English Alive'. Annually, SACEE (South African Council for English Education) publishes the best writing submitted by schools throughout South Africa. Each anthology typically has about 80-100 submissions. When asked for comment, Tim said, "I was surprised. I didn't think my writing was good enough to be published. I'm very happy, and proud of my school." Mrs Jeanne Rankin (Head of English) added, "Tim has always shown promise as a writer. To hear that he has been published is a delight and honour."

PINELANDS R3 950 000

MAITLAND R715 000

FAMILY HOME ON LARGE CORNER PLOT - Potential to create your perfect family home. Erf is big enough to extend house or to build a garden cottage with correct planning permissions. Three or four double bedrooms, study, two bathrooms, garage.

Web: RXBS-2831 • Abigail Hinchcliffe 084 577 3576

FFC No: 2022387352 • Property Practitioner

RE/MAX Property Associates: 021 531 4477

PINELANDS R3 950 000

FAMILY HOME / DUAL LIVING - NO TRANSFER DUTY!

Double storey 4 bedroom home with 3 bathrooms, guest loo, 3 huge living areas, fitted kitchen, laundry, storage, cottage and outside room & bathroom with separate entrance and parking.

Web: RXBS-2586 • Cindy Sarandis 071 081 4413

FFC No: 2022387356 • Property Practitioner

RE/MAX Property Associates: 021 531 4477

FAMILY HOME + MODERN COTTAGE - Spacious, well kept home retaining original character. O/p living / dining area, 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 baths, study, established garden, entertainment area. Separate large 1 bed cottage, o/p kitchen / living area.

Web: RXBS-2705 • Abigail Hinchcliffe 084 577 3576

FFC No: 2022387352 • Property Practitioner

RE/MAX Property Associates: 021 531 4477

PINELANDS R4 699 000

CENTRALLY LOCATED, MODERN APARTMENT - Secure, oasis behind automated gate. Open plan kitchen/living room with two double bedrooms. Pre-paid electricity, metered water, fibre & DSTV ready. Tenanted units achieving up to R7 500 pm.

Web: RXBS-2895 • Abigail Hinchcliffe 084 577 3576

FFC No: 2022387352 • Property Practitioner

RE/MAX Property Associates: 021 531 4477

THORNTON R1 350 000

SPACIOUS DOUBLE STOREY - Four Bedrooms with bics, two bathrooms mes, guest toilet, two living areas, open plan dining and fitted kitchen, outside guest room, storage and laundry, pool, tree house, well point and six car garage!

Web: RXBS-2708 • Cindy Sarandis 071 081 4413

FFC No: 2022387356 • Property Practitioner

RE/MAX Property Associates: 021 531 4477

SOLE

SECURE 2 BED WITH BACK GARDEN - Secure duplex in gated complex, two upstairs bedrooms & bathroom with o/p living room & fitted kitchen. Private back courtyard, carport for your exclusive use. Communal pool & visitor’s parking. Levies 980pm.

Web: RXBS-2885 • Cindy Sarandis 071 081 4413

FFC No: 2022387356 • Property Practitioner

RE/MAX Property Associates: 021 531 4477

AUTUMN IN THE PYRENEES

The Pyrenees range comprises rolling rounded green and blue mountains with a few high peaks, clear rivers flowing over smooth grey stones and an assortment of castles, farms, bridges and medieval villages. It has its own charm, the people being welcoming to strangers but also independent and resourceful.

The village of Vielha

When I turned thirteen, I was given a book called The Road to Andorra by Shirley Deane which I still read from time to time, so I was thrilled to see that we would be staying in the village of Vielha only about one hundred kilometres from Andorra, that fairytale retreat of my childhood. We passed a sign which said in Spanish, The Road to Andorra but sadly we did not take it. My other childhood memory are the lines from the poem Tarantella by Hilaire Belloc: And the fleas that tease in the High Pyrenees. In fact there were no fleas or insect life at all which made for a good night’s rest in the comfortable, homely hotels. One evening we joined a vigorous Line Dancing class in the hotel lounge area. The spruce trees outside the bedroom window were armed with long sharp needles ready for the snow which arrives in large quantities in winter cutting off the villages and forcing all farm animals into barns.

The Pyrenees as a border

The Pyrenees form the border between Spain and France. The French influence is apparent in the rounded steep turrets of the Royal Palace of Olite, reminiscent of Carcassonne across the mountains in France. The range is about five hundred kilometres long and runs from Pamplona in the west to Girona in the east. Travellers would usually use the main road through Zaragoza, capital of Aragon on the Ebro

By Judith Gordon

River, the longest river in Spain. Our route hugged the mountains, allowing views of the quaint medieval bridges and villages. Vielha was our highest sleeping place near Pico Aneto, at 3 404 metres the second highest peak on mainland Spain, the highest being Mulhacen in the Sierra Nevada near Granada at 3 479 metres. Our route through the mountains was peppered with trees in autumn colours of red and yellow. With rushing streams at the bottom of the valleys, the drives were picturesque in the extreme, if at times somewhat hairraising, especially as the long hairpin bends were visible from the top of the passes. The villages of Rialp and Sort are only four kilometres apart and together make a centre point for the farms in the area. From our hotel in Rialp, right under the mountain, we drove to Llesui and on up a steep road to a sheep farm. This proved to be a real highlight. Firstly there was a museum, showing how the farm operates in the four different seasons. Before 1975, when General Franco died, there were forty farms in the district, but since then the demand for wool has decreased sharply because of the increasing use of synthetic fibres. The younger people have moved to jobs in Barcelona where the older people think they are ruined. There are now only four farms left with a thousand sheep each. The farmer was kindness itself and treated us to snacks including tostado, toast smeared with tomato and cheese spread, which we ate in the old church which is now a meeting space. Seeing the sheep in the barn involved the senses: the sight of their white faces with neat patches of black, the sound of their gentle baa-ing, the touch of their velvety coats and the fresh farm smell you would expect.

Cheese in Sort and fiesta preparation

In Sort we visited a small cheese factory and learnt about the different textures of cheese which sometimes determines whether they can be transported. We were invited to taste all of the eight samples, washed down with red wine. The streets were decorated with banners and inflatable spacemen in preparation for a fiesta.

Ripoll and the Benedictine monastery

The journey of three hundred kilometres to Ripoll took us through yet more scenic country, becoming more treed as we rode further into Catalonia. The main attraction of Ripoll is its Benedictine monastery founded in 888 by Wilfred the Hairy and later rebuilt in Romanesque style. Wilfred also founded Barcelona which is about one hundred kilometres due south.

Besalu and the Pont Vell

Our last stop was Besalu, a medieval walled village with narrow streets and huge old doorways, unspoilt and fascinating, entered by crossing Pont Vell, a bridge built in the twelfth century across the River Fluvia. One of the usual small tourist trains takes you past the main buildings and also to a cluster of souvenir shops with better quality goods than most.

A medieval church cell phone tower

Our group travelled through the Pyrenees in a large orange coach expertly driven by Rafael, unlike hikers and adventurers for whom it is ideal territory to explore on foot. Either way, the traveller sees an unspoilt mountain range with old buildings but some modern features such as cell phone towers made to resemble a medieval church tower. It is a quieter, less busy area than many, but not one to be missed out on a trip to Spain. 

Olite castle Vielha

Sort with carnival spaceman

Medieval church cell phone tower

Judith Gordon on a sheep farm near Llesui

Besalu Bridge

PINELANDS RATEPAYERS AND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (PRRA)

The Pinelands Ratepayers and Residents Association works with the community to make Pinelands a desirable place to live, work and visit and represents the interests of the entire community of Pinelands. The PRRA works to promote the neighbourhood’s community cohesiveness, including its distinct historical character, by liaising with local government officials, providing information about the neighbourhood to members and engaging members to gather and promote the ideas and interests of the entire community. Meet the committee members who are all community minded volunteers happy to share their skills in an effort to "Keep Pinelands Green".

Chairperson: John Berry,

Vice-Chair: Marilynn McNamara,

Secretary: Emily Bolton,

Assistant-Secretary: Yazied Davids,

Treasurer: Nasir Adam,

Assistant-Treasurer: Aslam Clarke,

Public Relations: Desray Britz,

Building Plans: Jessica White,

CoCT Service Requests: Paul Holdsworth,

Environmental Health: Aslam Clarke,

Media: Yazied Davids,

Recreation & Parks: Marilynn McNamara,

Public Safety: John Berry,

Social Development: Kabelo Mashile.

If you would like to join the PRRA and become involved in your neighbourhood go to the PRRA website and complete a member application. See pinelandsratepayers.co.za. Alternatively you can email Desray at pr@pinelandsratepayers.co.za for more information. Existing members are also asked to update their information.

The Recreation and Parks portfolio has highlighted the need for an indigenous champion tree for Pinelands to replace the dead and dying trees. A Champion tree(s) is/are either an individual tree or a grove of trees that have been identified as having importance and are protected. Send your suggestions for a champion tree to info@pinelandsratepayers.co.za. The PRRA welcomes community involvement for the planting, so keep an eye open for help requests. Let’s continue the Pinelands strong legacy of community involvement! The PRRA byline is ‘Keeping Pinelands Green’.

SUPPORT FOR CHOC ON #FLIPFLOPDAY

Cannons Creek Independent Primary School proudly kicked off their shoes on 17 February 2023 and wore flip flops to school, leaving behind footprints of compassion. This small act on #FlipFlopDay, and donating in excess of R2000 towards CHOC (Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa) shows the school's support for the worthy work CHOC does. This initiative aims to increase awareness of the daily struggle faced by the brave children and teenagers suffering from childhood Cancer.

Pinelands Dad, Bryan Dean, launches Satellite on SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket

A PASSION FOR SPACE

The first thing my husband, Bryan Dean, shared on our first date 20 years ago was that he was passionate about space. I understood it was an interest, but as we journeyed on our life together, I realised how deeply driven he was to work in that field. But how could a South African break into the space industry?

A DREAM BECOMES A REALITY

Cut to 3rd January 2023 and we find Bryan at the space port in Florida USA waiting for the final checks and countdown for Dragonfly Aerospace’s EOS SAT-1 to be launched on SpaceX’s Transporter 6 Mission. What a moment! We, his family, watched breathless from Pinelands via the SpaceX live-stream.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

Bryan studied Mechatronics at UCT. His first job was on a tracking system for weather balloons. After a stint as a programmer and then some time at an innovative wind-up torch/radio company, we married and set off for adventure overseas. 2007 found Bryan working at EADS (now Airbus) in Stevenage, UK where he finally moved into space-related projects including, to his delight, ExoMars, where he worked with a team designing a Mars Rover.

RETURNING HOME AFTER DESIGNING A MARS ROVER

After our son Alex was born we were drawn home to South Africa. As a farewell, Bryan’s team named the latest rover prototype after him - a testament to his passion for

by Jane Dean

the project! On our return, Bryan secured work in the space industry in South Africa. After some years in Observatory and the arrival of our daughter, Jessica, we settled in Pinelands in 2017.

DRAGONFLY AEROSPACE IS BORN

Bryan is now CEO of Dragonfly Aerospace, a Stellenbosch-based (but international) company which grew from the former Space Advisory Company, a stalwart of the SA Space industry). Alas, SAC folded at the end of 2019. January 2020 saw Bryan jobless. Undaunted, he and a small but strong dream-team of engineers and specialists found an investor and launched a new satellite and camera company. Whew, little did we know what was coming in the form of Covid mere weeks later!

EOS SAT-1 in the SpaceX payload processing facility attached to the ESPA ring that was later integrated onto the Falcon 9 upper stage.

Bryan Dean with wife Jane, son Alex and daughter Jessica

The Dragonfly Team on their premises at Techno Park in Stellenbosch

COMPANY CREATED DURING COVID & FIRST SATELLITE LAUNCHED WITHIN 3 YEARS!

Creating a start-up during Covid was no joke as hard lockdown saw the move to purely online meetings and processes. It was a challenging time and of course the shift from engineer to CEO was quite a learning curve! It is an incredible achievement for Dragonfly then that a mere three years later this launch is taking place.

WHY DRAGONFLY?

The dragonfly has excellent vision, agility and stability, as does the company’s highresolution imaging satellites. The eyes of the dragonfly are some of the most powerful in the animal kingdom. Some have over 30 colour receptors just like Bryan’s team’s hyperspectral imagers. A compound eye is also a good analogy for large constellations of imaging satellites with numerous objectives imaging simultaneously to create a complete picture.

WHAT WILL EOS SAT-1 DO?

EOS SAT-1 was one of 114 payloads deployed as part of the SpaceX Transporter-6 Mission on the Falcon 9. EOS stands for ‘Earth Observation System’. Six more SA-made

microsatellites from Dragonfly will be launched over the next three years to form a satellite constellation which will provide images and data related to soil moisture, agriculture yield prediction, biomass levels, and other agri-indicators. This will assist our urgent efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and promote sustainable agriculture.

SAYS BRYAN:

“EOS SAT-1 is the first imaging satellite entirely designed and built by Dragonfly, the first microsatellite to be manufactured in SA since 2009, the first satellite of the EOS SAT constellation, and the first agri-focused constellation in space,”

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO WATCH A ROCKET LAUNCH?

“The launch was breathtaking. As the rocket fired up I was initially excited and then as it climbed into the air, anxiety kicked in as I willed it to keep going. Reaching orbit brought a wave of relief and celebration. But then when the satellite releases begin it all starts again! This is an important moment for each satellite. All the teams are waiting anxiously and then cheering as

theirs succeeds. Ours was last to separate and so my anxiety lasted the longest. Finally, it separated and it was beautiful. A wave of emotion overcame me and then sheer elation. An unforgettable moment and a very happy day for our company.”

“It is such an important milestone for our team. In the space industry you really have to prove yourselves with hardware in space. We’ve done this with our cameras but we needed to show we can do full imaging systems. Now we have done it and put Dragonfly and South Africa on the map.”

"An extra special experience was watching the first stage of the SpaceX rocket land back at the launch site. The sonic boom as it re-entered the atmosphere was indescribably loud!"

DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE?

Where to next? Well Bryan is excited by the renewed interest in visiting the moon! And of course he dreams that one day he will get to visit space himself. 

Mission.

3 January 2023: SpaceX Transporter-6 mission showing the Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket launching EOS SAT-1 (Earth Observation System Satellite 1)

EOS SAT-1 in Dragonfly clean room in Stellenbosch

Satellite separation from the rocket with views of earth below

Launch Images courtesy of SpaceX

OUR ADVISORY TEAM

What to know before making a bequest in your will

By Sue Torr Director Crue Invest

Many estate planners include special bequests in their will to leave a particular asset to a specified person which, while standard practice, can create more complexity than meets the eye. A special bequest allows a testator or testatrix to include a paragraph in his/her will wherein a legacy is bequeathed to a legatee. Keep in mind that legatees are different from heirs in that the former inherits the specific asset you have bequeathed to him/her, while the latter inherits the residue of your estate.

SPECIAL REQUESTS AND ESTATE LIQUIDITY

When it comes to making special bequests in a will, the order of entitlement can trip a testator up, especially when it comes to estate liquidity. This is because the estate’s executor must first settle any debt owing to SARS, pay the estate’s creditors, and cover the estate’s administration costs. Once done, the executor must then pay out any legacies included in the will assuming that there is sufficient liquidity in the estate to do so. Whatever is left in the estate after honouring all bequests is referred to as the residue of the estate which will be distributed amongst the heirs.

BEQUESTS CAN CAUSE LIQUIDITY SHORTFALLS

In order to pay the bequests, the executor may need to realise assets in the estate which may have been intended for the deceased’s heirs. This in turn could result in financial difficulty and heartache for the deceased’s surviving spouse and/ or children who will ultimately receive a diminished inheritance as a result of a bequest made in the will. Such liquidity problems often arise when estate planners fail to accurately calculate the estate duty liabilities in their estate or fail to structure their assets to reduce the estate’s liabilities. Most often, liquidity shortfalls and the subsequent unintended consequences could have easily been avoided through an estate planning exercise.

EXAMPLE - LIQUIDITY SHORTFALL PROBLEM

Let’s look at a practical example. A testatrix bequeaths her vehicle to her domestic worker in her will. The vehicle is financed and there is an amount of R100 000 still owing on the car when the testatrix passes. Remember, in terms of our law, it is presumed that a testatrix intends her legatees to receive their bequests unburdened. To give the domestic worker free ownership of the car, the executor must settle the amount outstanding on the car. If there are not enough liquid assets in the estate, the executor may need to sell another asset to settle the vehicle’s debt.

DELAYS CAUSED BY BEQUEST CONDITIONS

Attaching conditions to bequests can further complicate the matter and potentially cause delays in the estate administration process. For instance, a testator may attach a potestative condition that requires the legatee to either do something (e.g. graduate from university) or refrain from doing something (e.g. stop smoking) for the legacy to succeed. In such circumstances, while the benefit vests with the legatee at the date of the deceased’s death, the legatee will only receive full right of ownership when the condition is fulfilled.

HOW DOES A BEQUEST PRICE WORK?

Conditions can also take the form of a bequest price which is useful when the testator wants to leave an asset to one of his children but does not want the other children to be prejudiced. In such circumstances, the testator may bequeath the holiday home to the eldest child on condition that the child pays a certain amount (known as the bequest price) to each of the other two children. Upon accepting the bequest, the eldest child then has a legal obligation to pay the bequest price to her two siblings.

SEEK GUIDANCE FROM AN ESTATE PLANNER

It is clear that while drafting a will may appear simple at the time of drafting, it is only upon the death of the testator that the document’s mettle is tested. It is therefore always advisable to seek guidance from an experienced estate planner before including bequests in a will. 

Odendaal

Botha

financial services

regulated by the Financial Services Board, FSP No. 19025.

Creating and protecting your wealth Crue Invest is a professional financial planning practice based in Pinelands, Cape Town, and is one of only 14 practices in South Africa to be awarded the FPI Approved Professional Practice™ accreditation.

PINEHURST ATHLETES IN ACTION

Pinehurst Primary’s annual inter-house athletics was held on Saturday 28 January. This event is a highlight on the calendar, generating lots of excitement as every child in the school participates for their house team. The Spartans, Trojans and Olympian Grade 7 house captains lead their house in choosing a theme, preparing banners, decorations, costumes, songs and cheerleading on the day. Once again there were some great performances and 4 new school records:

• U7 Spartans 4 x 50m Shuttle Relay (Lisa Walker, Leila Oosthuizen, Rebecca Kleinsmith, Emma van Stormbroek)

• U10 Shot Put (Mordecai Chirwa)

• U11 Long Jump (Raeesa Kassiem)

• U13 Long Jump (Ashley Thomas)

• The middle distance trophies were won by:

• Kate Hawkey & Nicolas Redfern (Junior girl & boy)

• Holly Webb & Ewere Pascal (Senior girl & boy)

The Victrix & Victor Ludorum trophies, awarded to the girl & boy who score the most points across all the athletics events in which they participate, were awarded to:

• Ashley Thomas & Hlompho Pule

• Che Jansen

Trojans house demonstrated the most “gees” throughout the day and won the “Spirit Cup” for their tremendous efforts. Spartans House were once again the overall winners of the athletics competition and were awarded the “House Trophy” for the fantastic performances of all their athletes having scored the most points throughout the day.

INTER-SCHOOL TRIALS

Following the inter-house competition the Pinehurst Primary top performing athletes attended the inter-schools trials with Pinelands North, Thornton and Pinelands Primary in early February. They performed very well resulting in the largest Pinehurst contingent of 21 athletes (up from last year’s 16) earning themselves a place in the Pinelands team to attend the Central Zone Athletics Champs.

Pinehurst Primary is looking forward to following their progress in the sprints, middle distance, long jump and shot put as they continue to give of their very best during the rest of the athletics season.

Mordecai Chirwa U10 shotput record breaker

Ashley Thomas long-jump record breaker

Trojan's House wins the Spirit Cup

•

BUILDING COMMUNITY IN SCHOOLS

One negative about Covid was that it kept people away from each other. Successful schools have always encouraged families to be part of the education solution, and Covid broke the sense of community that had been built over years. This means that schools will, this year, have to focus on rebuilding the community around them. Here are a few ways this can be done:

• WELCOME FAMILY MEMBERS BACK INTO THE PASSAGES AND CLASSROOMS

While children are being dropped off or collected, ask staff to be available to chat with families. A great way of doing this is the usual parent meetings, but a ‘school in action’ day is also a way for family members to actually follow their children through a typical day and experience the school environment for themselves.

• FOCUS ON GRATITUDE

Thank parents, the staff and the children for playing their part in the big picture, even if not everybody is playing a big part. Showing gratitude for small things makes others want to please the organization more. In turn, more people will want to play a positive role to the benefit of everybody.

INVEST IN THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY

Look out for opportunities to coach, share or workshop with parents, grandparents, the pupils and their caregivers, the interns,

PINELANDS NORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL

16 March 2023 08:00 - 9:30 am

volunteers and staff. Every learning opportunity gives someone else a skill that they can use in furthering their learning in their own lives.

• ENCOURAGE PUPIL VOICES

The best way to ‘know’ what is really going on behind the scenes in your community is to ask children informally. Good adult and child relationships in a school allow children to voice opinions about staff, about safe and unsafe places at school, and about their own home realities.

• HAVE FUN, PLAY AND LAUGH AT SCHOOL

Laughter changes everything! The aim of a school should be to create opportunities to laugh, play and make schooling fun. Ask staff to wear two different shoes to school, encourage children and staff to wear pyjamas to school or wear their clothes backwards. Tiny things like this lighten the load of life and create smiles!

• DAILY SHOUT OUTS

Why not catch people in the act of doing the right thing instead of the wrong? Encourage staff and children to look at the world through a new lens – encourage kindness, generosity and good habits by announcing them over the intercom during the day.

• A SHARED LANGUAGE FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Share the way and the language your

By Ann Morton Principal Pinelands North Primary School (The Red School)

school uses to deal with conflict with all families as well as the children. By sharing this language, your families can also resolve disputes at home in a similar way, and if parents need to be informed of some school conflict, parents will understand the process used. One great way of resolving conflict is to use narrative therapy; this involves changing people’s stories – about themselves and others.

• ACTS OF KINDNESS

Encourage acts of kindness; between people at school and those at home. Remembering a birthday, calling when you hear a family pet has died, or just checking in because you thought of someone are all kind acts which show you care about the people in your community.

• PAY IT FORWARD

A great project for the whole family is to work out who is in need around them and ask them to ‘pay it forward’. Simple ideas like buying a pair of shoes for someone in need or offering to babysit a colicky baby or the neighbours’ dog are some ideas families have used to bring happiness to others and therefore also to themselves. None of these ideas cost money: they just take time and a little extra effort on behalf of all members of the school community. You will find that small, thoughtful acts can bring a community together. 

“It takes a village…”

021 531 3414 email:

Do you remember your school days? One teacher and 30 children all vying for attention. Our classes may not be smaller in number but the many skilled adults who assist in the classes ensure our children get the advantage of small group and one to one assistance, in class and throughout the school environment. Our staff is not limited to class teachers alone. PNPS makes use of many other adults in the classroom, to ensure that children are learning according to their own individual needs. Our school community includes Teacher Interns, student teachers, supporting both teachers and children in each grade. Presidential Interns who are needing to gain work experience are positioned around the school, sharing their expertise from the Art and Music classrooms to the sports field. Facilitators are employed to assist learners with special needs, to ensure that they can work on their own Individual Support Plans. Furthermore, there are various therapists who observe and work with our children. Many family, community members and even past pupils volunteer their time to provide support in the form of reading groups, emotional support, admin duties and the like. We are grateful for our PNPS village.

1ST PINELANDS CUB PACK DO A GOOD TURN FOR RENEW THE ELSIESKRAAL RIVER

The last thing one might want to do on a sweltering afternoon in mid-February would be a litter pickup! Yet despite the heat, a cheerful and persevering pack of cubs from 1st Pinelands Scout Group swarmed a section of the river banks along the Elsieskraal River on 10 February to do exactly that unpleasant task. An informative session with Louise Badenhorst from Renew the Elsieskraal River fuelled their motivation. Picking up litter is vital in conserving our environment and it was hard work. Many small pieces of litter for example: straws, bottle caps and wrappers are found on the banks. It’s best to survey the area thoroughly before embarking on a litter pick up – a tree provides a perfect vantage point for exactly this kind of scan! Louise led us to the site of a litter trap built across the river – an initiative of Renew the Elsieskraal River. One could see how much litter had lodged in the trap – especially various types of plastic. The litter trap is

By Joey Lugt

a simple, cost-effective construction of reused, empty 2L plastic bottles wrapped in shade cloth and tied to a rope across the river which is anchored on both sides. A significant amount of litter floating downstream is trapped and prevented from heading further downstream where it would flow into the Black River and eventually reach the sea.

A team from local NPO, NETwork, partially sponsored by Plastics SA, fully kitted in boots and gloves for protection against the bacteria and pollutants in the water, clears the litter from the trap twice a month. This litter is removed by the Department of Solid Waste of The City of Cape Town. This project is a beautiful example of how ordinary citizens, companies and the municipality can work together in taking care of our environment with a positive impact. Then the cubs headed up towards the roadside to find stormwater drains. Here we discussed how everything, yes EVERYTHING,

that goes down the stormwater drains lands in a river and will be carried to the sea. Even drains along roadsides far away from the river are connected via a massive network of underground drain pipes which lead to a river. Many people mistakenly believe that these drains are connected to the city’s sewerage system.

As part of their Good Turn, the cubs helped to stencil awareness creating slogans on the paths near a few stormwater drains. “Only Rain in the Drain” and “Keep Clean, Drains to Sea” were two of the slogans. There are tufts of reeds and other plants growing in patches along the concrete river canal allowing the establishment of habitats for frogs, insects, birds and other creatures which promotes biodiversity along the river. Renew the Elsieskraal River works continuously on environmental projects to increase biodiversity right here in Pinelands. These include establishing “No Mow Zones” for wild-flowers to grow & go to seed as well as co-ordinating, with community partners, the planting of around 290 trees along the river banks over the last four years. 

Ending the day with hand washing using a scout created gadget

Using a vantage point to survey the canal

Creating educational signage near stormwater drains

Louise Badenhorst from Renew the Elsieskraal River

Community litter pick-up along the canal

Dr Mark Stodel

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FOOD FROM THE HEART

By Heleen Meyer

Pinelands resident, foodie and author of Food from the Heart, and

Make five/Maak vyf

Homemade muesli

Makes 1,2 kg (about 24 portions)

Recipe from Cooking from the heart

1 kg (1 box) uncooked ordinary oats

½ cup (125 ml) raw almonds, chopped

½ cup (125 ml) sunflower seeds

5 tbsp (75 ml) sunflower oil

¼ cup (60 ml) honey or sugar

2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla essence

2 tsp (10 ml) ground cinnamon (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 180 °C and line a large baking tray with baking paper.

2. Place oats, nuts and seeds in a large mixing bowl. Place oil and honey or sugar in a separate bowl and melt in the microwave or a small saucepan over low heat for a few minutes. Stir in the vanilla.

3. Mix oil mixture well into oats mixture.

4. Spread oats mixture in a single layer on the baking paper. Roast for 10-15 minutes. Stir through and roast for another 10-15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Continue roasting the mixture if you prefer a crispier muesli. Remember that it will crisp further as it cools down.

5. Remove from the oven. Evenly mix through the cinnamon and allow mixture to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.

6. Serve ½ cup (125 ml) muesli per person with ¼ cup (60 ml) plain low-fat yoghurt

Homemade is good!

Making your own muesli is not difficult and much more affordable than buying a ready-made pack. This popular breakfast is often considered as a healthy option, but shop-bought versions can be surprisingly sweet and unnecessarily high in refined sugar and unhealthy fats – despite what the packaging claims about it being ‘good for you’. The same applies for muesli that is described as granola, as that tends to be even sweeter. Enter, homemade muesli! By making a homemade version it’s much easier to control what’s really included in your breakfast and you can decide how luxurious you want it to be. Nuts, seeds or dried fruit are all great for adding extra flavour, texture and goodness. This recipe uses almonds and sunflower seeds, but you can add any nuts and seeds of your choice. You can even use double the amount if preferred. If your family likes dried fruit

like raisins or small pieces of dried mango, peaches or apricot, rather stir these in once the muesli has cooled down. Remember, dried fruit contains sugar, so keep the quantities moderate and don’t toast them with the oats, as they burn easily. The vanilla and cinnamon in the recipe also add an interesting flavour and touch of natural sweetness.

Oats are usually the base for muesli, but some brands also rely on ingredients like puffed rice to bulk up the mixture. These are however not as wholesome and filling as ones made with a good amount of oats. Add natural sweetness and lots of healthy goodness to your bowl with fresh fruit, rather than more sugar or too much honey. Seasonal fruit like mango, grapes, peaches, berries, banana, papaya or even apple or pear is delicious. A dollop of plain yoghurt and a sprinkle of cinnamon adds a special touch with the fruit. Enjoy a wholesome bowl of goodness to give yourself a great start to the day.

Cook the healthy way with Heleen

Are you looking for practical tips on how to cook delicious, wholesome food for your family?

Follow @heleenmeyerfood on social media this month OR subscribe to her YouTube channel (Heleen Meyer Food ) to watch her new series of Afrikaans

videos; Eet.Kook.Leef.Beter! Learn the principles of healthy eating, all about flavourings and seasonings, the best cooking methods and how to reduce your daily salt and sugar intake. Visit www.heleenmeyer.co.za for more tasty recipes

Sharon Van Rensburg properties