AUTUMN ISSUE
March - May 2010
What makes iSimangaliso Wetland Park a Heritage Site • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
The cultural and ecological treasures of the region: 220 kilometers of coastline and beaches 100 species of coral 8 inter-linking ecosystems The only significant major swamp forests left in South Africa 3 major lake systems including Bay, Lake St Lucia and Lake Sibaya 8 major Game Reserves in the broader Maputaland 105 years of conservation (the St Lucia Park was declared a Game Reserve 3 years after the Yellowstone National Park and is Africa’s oldest protected area) 4 of the Big Five; the highest number and density of black rhino in any place on the globe 105 Red Data species 5 species of turtles The highest number of frog species in southern Africa (35 of which 2 are endemic) 36 species of snakes 526 bird species (the greatest avifauna diversity in Africa with 50% of South Africa’s bird species & 25% of Africa’s) 80 species of dragon flies 110 species of butterflies on the Eastern Shores of St Lucia alone More than 2000 species of flowering plants All 5 of South Africa’s surviving mangrove tree species 25 000-year-old coastal dunes, among the highest in the World 700-year-old fish traps, commented on for the natural and cultural beauty by early Portuguese explorers 5 cultural groups: Zulu, Swazi, Shangaan, Tonga and relict group of Gonda speakers.
Each animal has a special place in the cycle of life and is perfectly adapted for its purpose. Some animals have, according to human standards, weird habits, survival techniques and living. Too much destruction of one specie (habitat destruction, food reduction or poaching) can have a devastating chain reaction on the survival of other species. Think twice before you just step on a bug, drive over a tortoise or throw down a paper. Knowledge of the importance or just one fact of a specie may change your attitude towards trying to keep it alive. We are fortunate to have such a variety of wildlife living around us and that they have protection, we hope, by the world heritage status.
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frican Jacana - the female mates with many males every season, lays eggs and leaves the males to rear the chicks. These birds can walk on plant leaves on water as they have specially adapted long toes.
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ingfisher birds dive under the water completely submerging their bodies. They have the ability to hover in one spot and fly backwards.
eopard, male and female are territorial and solitary. They are not dependent on water and can live in arid areas but not deserts. Guts of large prey are pulled out and discarded. Birds and furry mammals are plucked before eating.
frican Fish Eagles have the most recognisable piercing beautiful call, the male first then the female.
arthog. The Warthog’s “wart” is the prominent lump on both sides of the head beneath each eye. Males have another pair of warts further down the snout. These warts protect them when they fight one another. Babies are very sensitive to cold and wet and sleep on a “raised” shelf at the back of the burrow.
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ornbill birds have heavy large curved bills with a horny cascue (growth) on the upper mandible. Trumpeter hornbills are noisy and sound like a baby or cat crying. Crowned hornbills have red bills and the cascue is not so large. The female seals herself in a hole in a tree during incubation and the male must feed her. hite Rhino calves walk in front of the mother. Mothers with calves are very protective and aggressive and charge at 40km/h. They graze on the ground. The White Rhinos in the Wetland Park are very dark due to the colour of mud and soil they roll in.
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udus can jump 2 meters high with ease and 3m under stress.
aterbuck has a distinctive white “lavatory seat” ring on the rear. Waterbuck have a bad odour especially territorial bulls odor, which is very strong. If you touch the skin and then the meat the smell will transfer to the meat.
ung beetles are mostly brown or black otherwise metallic-green or -blue. Some lay one egg per ball, others put many small balls in a chamber with an egg in each ball. These beetles use their special spade shaped horns to roll dung into balls. ats are very essential for the propagation of many plants; they also eat thousands of insects and mosquitoes every night. Bats are most active at dusk and dawn; they are not blood sucking vampires; the larger fruit eating bat types have dog like faces and affectionate mammal behavior towards people. The insect eating bats have weird faces because they use echo-location but if you stand still or move slowly bats will not bump into you but if run around like a lunatic they cannot pinpoint your location.
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umpback Whale males sing complex songs to attract females, but all the males in each population sing the same song and they fight over females.
ouse Geckos eat lots of moths, beetles and cockroaches!!. Males are territorial and fight furiously. Geckos have special suckers on their fore and hindfeet so they stick to almost all surfaces. Geckos are mostly arboreal and nocturnal although some hunt during the day and some live on the ground.
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umpback Dolphins break the surface of the water with their rostrum (part of the skull in front of the eye sockets, upper part of the muzzle or beak), before the rest of the body.
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ush-babies urinate on their hands to make them stickier and mark their territory. Their cry sounds like that of a small human baby. In St Lucia we have the thick-tailed Bush babies which are nocturnal.
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amango monkeys habitat is confined to dense forest, so they are at risk and already occur only scattered on the most eastern coastal regions of SA. At Cape Vidal there are a few “albino” Samangos with light coloured hair and brown hands and faces.
lap-neck Chameleons are identifiable by the flap behind the head. They eat spiders, snails, centipedes, grasshoppers and other flying insects. In defense, males may rock their bodies from side to side and hiss aggressively. Their eggs hatch 5 - 10 months after being laid only. Please save them from vehicles when they cross the road. Pick it up carefully and put across the road in foliage or tree.
World Heritage - Checklist BIRDS WATER BEACH RAPTORS FOREST MAMMALS
African Jacana Goliath Heron Grey headed Heron Pied Kingfisher Common Terns Grey headed Seagull White Fronted Plovers African Fish Eagle African Wood Owl Black Shouldered Kite Brown Snake Eagle Long Crested Eagle Crowned Hornbill Livingstone Turaco Purple Crested Turaco Trumpeter Hornbill White Eared Barbets
WATER Humpback Whales Hippopotamus Humpback Dolphins LAND White Rhino Buffalo Zebra Waterbuck Kudu SMALL LAND Banded Mongoose Bats Bushbuck Red Duiker Warthog CATS Leopard Large Spotted Genet IN TREE Thick-tailed Bushbaby Vervet Monkey Tree Squirrel Samango Monkey Chacma Baboons REPTILES WATER LAND
Nile Crocodile Water Monitor Flapneck Chameleon Striped Skink Tortoise Giant Garden Snail House Gecko
SNAKES
Gaboon Adder Forest Cobra Red-lipped Herald Spotted Bush Snake
OTHER INSECTS
Giant Garden Snail Slugs Striped Skinks Dung Beetles Butterflies Dragon Flies Cockroach Moths
BEACH & SURF INTERTIDAL Ghost Crabs Plough Snails Mole Crabs Barnacles Shells (many types) TIDAL & ROCKS
Mudskippers Rock Crabs Sponges Baby Fish
Dear readers, We’re excited to announce that the Trumpeter is under new ownership. I’m a graphic designer, artist, and a great enthusiast for this wonderful World Heritage Site. With your help, our vision is to gradually evolve the much loved Trumpeter, into the most community supported, definitive guide, to the best of the best attractions, activities, and accommodation within this area. We’d like to call on all experts, fundies, and long time residence of the area to write in to the editor@thetrumpeter.co.za We want to share your stories, your insights, passions, knowledge of one of the Worlds greatest assets. Coming up in this issue: We start off, with a few facts and checklist to familiarize or remind ourselves with what’s around us. A little St Lucia history, in the Nova Scotia, some Community news and reviews, and a special thanks to the iSimangaliso and team for the research material provided in this issue. The usual suspects are here too, with the SA NAvy tide chart, and handy St Lucia map and business directory. A special thanks to all those who continued their ongoing support, and advertorial commitment. We’re in the process of developing and extending our online presence, www.thetrumpeter.co.za which we’re hoping to use to reward our loyal sponsors soon. We hope you enjoy this issue, and look forward to your comments, feedback, suggestions, and contributions for the next one! The Editor
Situated on the St Lucia Estuary World Heritage Site. A unique stone building just a 7 minute walk away from town.
Enjoy a slice of life in our establishment, where quality service is our no 1 policy.
Tel/fax: Cell: Email: Web:
+27 35 590 1138 +27 35 590 1084 info@buyafuthi.co.za www.buyafuthi.co.za
Paw Print Bureau de change Camera Downloads Emailing Faxing Signage
Shop 3, Georgiou Centre, 73 McKenzie Street, St Lucia Tel/Fax: 035 590 1252 E-mail: kzn@pawprint.co.za PO Box 232, St Lucia Estuary, 3936
THE loss of 825 lives when the Nova Scotia was torpedoed by a submarine 20 miles north-east of Cape St. Lucia on the Zululand coast on November 28, 1942, made this the worst sea disaster ever known in South African waters. There were only 192 survivors. Many South African soldiers were among those lost. The Nova Scotia was a small transAtlantic liner of 6,796 tons, owned by the Furness Withy group and registered at Liverpool. She was designed normally to accommodate 100 passengers. When reinforcements were urgently needed in the
Middle East she was pressed into service along with bigger ships and fitted out as a transport. She carried thousands of troops between the United Kingdom and the Middle East, and between Durban and Suez. On the return journeys she brought large numbers of prisoners-ofwar, mainly Italians, for safe-keeping in South Africa. When the Nova Scotia was torpedoed she was within 150 miles of Durban, her destination.
She had on board 765 Italian prisoners-of-war from the Middle East, 134 British and South African troops acting as guards, and a crew of 118. She sank in five minutes, and the only life-boat that got away was never found. The Portuguese sloop, Afonso de Albuquerque, reached the scene from Lourenco Marques late the following night, and during that night and the following day picked up 190 survivors, including one woman, from rafts and wreckage. Many sharks were seen in the vicinity. On the third day the destroyer Inconstant picked up another survivor from a raft, and nearly a fortnight after the disaster another Italian was washed up alive on a raft near Mtumzini on the Zululand coast.
in St Lucia WE SERVE:
• Delicious Breakfasts • Decadent cakes, brownies & muffins • Designer Salads with home grown herbs • Sandwiches, wraps & rolls with fillings of your choice • Lavazza - Super Crema Coffee • Catering for functions • Gourmet packed lunches available • Frozen meals • We can make up your personal picnic! Open 7 days Mon to Sat 09h00 - 17h00 Sun 9h00 - 14h00
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Hello to all St Lucians and visitors,
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aving started in late 2007, operations are well established now, and it seems to be a good idea to take the opportunity to describe our efforts here at African Impact. You may have seen our volunteers, team members, and character-full vehicles out and about, and maybe you have heard of our activities “through the grapevine.” In short, we are a volunteering organization that welcomes voluntourists from all corners of the World to sites throughout Africa. Here in St Lucia, our team of dedicated staff transport, house, and feed the volunteers, all while facilitating philanthropic work in the surrounding villages of Dukuduku/ Khula, Ezwenelisha, and Monzi. Our work is multi-faceted, with focuses on community betterment and education, care for the sick and ailing, and conservation efforts. We are a source of helping hands for the impoverished communities and our precious environment. We have a strict policy against giving out money, but rather we recognize our responsibility to enable people to help themselves through education and basic supplies. All of our projects are funded by the volunteers, who choose to sacrifice much of their time, money, and efforts to alleviate the suffering so prominent in this part of the world. In addition, touched by their experiences as African Impact volunteers, many send additional donations for us to use in funding programmes of their choosing through our associated charity, the Happy Africa Foundation. To get down to specifics, here is just a sampling of the philanthropic work we facilitate: • Together with Helping Hands and River Church in Mtuba, our volunteers have converted a dilapidated school building at the site of the Ezwenelisha Primary School into a home for orphaned children. As a team, we installed supports for the roof, re-did the floors, put up walls, windows, and doors, built beds, painted and decorated the interior for an inviting
feel, and provided many of the furnishings that turn a building into a home. The first 6 orphans moved in recently – a joyous occasion for all – and are being looked after by a selfless team at the school. • In conjunction with local caregivers in the surrounding areas, our volunteers travel to the homes of the very sick to administer support and care. On this home-based care, we help to find answers for health questions, offer transport to the clinic when no other options are available, deliver nutritional support, and at the very least, provide love, respect and dignity to those who are suffering. • Our photography and conservation volunteers have teamed up with the Silethukukhanya High School Environmental Club to promote conservation awareness and good practices amongst students and the greater community. They have worked to combat litter, to foster an understanding of the fragile and valuable balance of our natural environment, and are currently creating their own compost heap to promote the use of recycled materials to fertilize a garden. • Through our comprehensive HIV Education program, our volunteers have delivered and discussed life-saving information about the virus to hundreds of adults and
TAI CHI
YOGA
Massage Acupressure Reflexology Tai Chi Self Defence Benefits include: Relaxation, suppleness, balance, breathing, posture & toning Tel: 035 590 1644 Cell: 083 267 0969 073 021 5198
children in the greater St Lucia and Mtubatuba areas. The curriculum covers the basics mechanisms of the virus, transmission, prevention, treatment and positive-living, testing, discrimination, and social responsibility. Although not without its challenges, our work has produced inspiring results, especially in the form of small victories that add up to major achievements. With a focus on sustainability and empowerment through education, we hope to continue to see such encouraging development in our local villages. Often, the best way to fully grasp our projects is to participate in them. For visitors, we offer an INTERACT program through which we enable a half-day of volunteering. For permanent residents, I would like to formally invite you to join us, on a morning or afternoon of your convenience, to see first hand what we are all about. Lastly, there have been numerous individuals and businesses who have shown great support for our efforts, and to them we have tremendous gratitude. On behalf of the African Impact team, our volunteers, and the community at large, we thank you! Sincerely, Samantha Lavin & Michelle & Andrew Procter Project Managers, African Impact St Lucia Email: stlucia@africanencounter.org Website: www.africanimpact.com
Surfing Lessons LEARN TO SURF on our pristine stretch of coastline in St Lucia
Adults * 2hr R300pp Kids +8yrs *1 hr R150pp
Contact Trevor 035 5901626 / 071 1411527 6
hideaway
Hippo H
ippo Hideaway is a relaxing, comfortable resort that’s nestled in nature, providing a friendly retreat for “visiting hippos”. The design is contemporary, and the fully furnished apartments have everything you could need and more… The Hideaway sits in the heart of St Lucia, about a two-hour drive from Durban. Before I actually got to the Hideaway I was delighted at the news that I would get to stay at a resort that was a finalist in the AA Travel Guides and American Express Accommodation Awards for 2009. Driving from a hot and noisy Durban, St Lucia and Hippo Hideaway far exceeded my expectations and that of my guests. We marvelled at the fact that we had been living in KwaZulu-Natal for many years yet had missed out on enjoying such a top class holiday destination. As we made our entrance into the Hippo Hideaway, it was official, “our holiday had started.” The array of cottages was magnificently designed around a sparkling clean pool, large braai area as well as huge sets of tables, chairs and umbrellas. A smaller paddling pool was attached to the swimming pool and excited little children were having fun swimming there. Guests were socialising and found the display of outdoor furniture and barbeque facilities very welcoming. There was a large central thatched boma with tables and benches, and guests were having a marvellous time socializing. It looked like everyone was there to relax and enjoy themselves. Whether it was taking a swim, relaxing on the chairs near the pool area,
having a braai, playing on the swings at the park or sharing some quality time with family at the tables they were all there for one reason, to have fun. Warm, friendly staff showed us the way to our cottage, definitely offering much more than your average self-catering accommodation. Fully air-conditioned and fitted with all the necessities the place was extravagantly decorated and the resort management definitely went the extra mile to make guests feel at home with shampoos, shower gel, soaps and even a well-stocked hospitality basket filled with coffee, tea and other confectionary in the kitchen. The fully secured place just made you feel at home but with more luxuries than you would have expected. The kitchen was fully equipped with trendy cutlery, braai dishes, crockery, pots, pans and cooking implements; as well as a fridge and an extra fast stove microwave. We were told that a convenient laundry service is available through the resort. We were also quite surprised that cleaning staff had visited the place daily to clean up and even wash dishes, something that is not common at your average self catering resorts. The cottages had a gate and stairway leading to the park below which had swings for children and a large grassy area ideal for picnics. I found out that this was the hippos regular hangout while speaking to caretaker, who had told me amazing stories of hippos from the nearby Lake St Lucia and how just the week before a hippo had come to “visit”. “The hippos come often and walk along the grass. They’re really nice creatures and the guests are always so excited to see them come here. When the hippos come here we also notify the guests who come out to see them”. There are a variety of single and double bed arrangements to accommodate anyone’s needs as well as the honeymoon Suite which has extra-stylish décor and luxury. Spending a holiday at this award winning resort is definitely a must as it takes self catering accommodation to a whole new level and boasts the true splendour of St Lucia BY FIONA GOUNDEN
“THE HIPPOS COME OFTEN AND WALK ALONG THE GRASS. THEY’RE REALLY NICE CREATURES AND THE GUESTS ARE ALWAYS SO EXCITED TO SEE THEM COME HERE. WHEN THE HIPPOS COME HERE WE ALSO NOTIFY THE GUESTS WHO COME OUT TO SEE THEM”.
African Impact
The African Impact team members, from left to right are: Smangele Mbhele, Samantha Lavin, Nana Chinebuah, and Bongekile Mpho Ncube. In between Smangele & Samantha are David Lawson (who organised the event), Magda Botha (Parker Tours) and the sponsors Ken & Jan Dunbar (Parker Tours) presenting the voucher to Samantha
African Impact have several volunteer projects running in the area and when Jan & Ken Dunbar (Parker Tours) decided to do a sponsored climb of Mt Kilimanjaro they offered a donation from the monies raised. A voucher of R2000 was handed over towards the purchase of school uniforms for the children at uBuhle Bemvelo Primary School. Also a local Support Group made R2500 from a stall featuring their crafts displayed at the St Lucia Bowling Club – This allowed them to have time to try out a game on the bowling green & prizes were awarded to the winning team.
The Order of St Lucia Naughty Nurses shattered the peace of this quiet village on Sat 6 Mar. On offer were Bikini Line Waxes and Back, Sac & Crack but the conservative locals played it safe with military hair-cuts & gaudy colours. Pancakes and boerewors rolls were sold to raise extra money. Naude Teich hosted the venue at the Total Service Station, sponsored drinks for the day & handed over a cheque for R5000. The Nurses - Cenessa Stork, Anneri Mostert and Charlene Minnaar - raised nearly R3000 more & the monies were handed to Leoni Starker-Fox from CANSA.
Nompumelelo tries her hand at bowling
In the nurses outfits are Cenessa Stork, Anneri Mostert & Charlene Minnaar
Naude Teich (owner of the Total garage), Cenessa Stork & Leoni Starker-Fox (Cansa)
ST LUCIA
FISHING REPORT Good day to all the fisherman! It is the time for crayfish again. The season opened on the 1st March. Ask your local tackle shop how to catch crayfish. Good places to find them are at First Rock and Mission Rocks. Deep Sea Fishing In the morning one can feel winter is on it’s way, now is the time for the Yellowfin Tuna and the big King Mackerel. Bottoms are plentiful and great fun. Join the charter boats for an adventure on the ocean. Shore Angling Shad season is still open. Big Cob are on the way and lots of big Sharks around. So get your live bait and fish for the big one. Once you hooked, there’s no turning back. by Barend Verster - Wave Dancer
Wave Dancer Fishing Charters Skipper:
Barend Verster
084 628 1162
wavedancer@kznweb.com
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“ taff and concerned anglers report an unacceptably high by-catch of slowgrowing reef and bottom fish, many abandoned as it is illegal to land them,” said iSimangaliso Authority CEO Mr Andrew Zaloumis. “This threatens the biodiversity that contributed to our global status.” Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife CEO, Dr Bandile Mkhize, said: “Reef fish are listed as “critical” in the National Linefish Management Plan resulting in the Minister declaring a crisis. Research is currently trying to establish how fish from the Park’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) benefit other areas.”
“We support responsible fishing. Though most anglers are conservationists, some unfortunately do not understand that selfish “live for today” exploitation threatens present and future enjoyment. “ANYONE DOING VERTICAL JIGGING OR CARRYING SUCH EQUIPMENT WILL BE LIABLE FOR PROSECUTION.”
Vertical jigging, popular at Sodwana Bay and Cape Vidal, uses a heavy, hooked metal bar on an inflexible line which can sink below 100 metres. The jig is shaken to attract fish which can include slinger, rock cod and others which may not be targeted. These suffer barotrauma - rapid decrease in pressure - often causing eyes to pop out or stomachs being inverted. If returned, they generally fall prey to sharks.
“Sadly, the slow-growing yellow belly rock-cod and brindle bass - are the very species our MPAs were established for,” said Zaloumis. “It would also be a tragedy if one of the few known living coelacanths - discovered in Jesser Canyon - was inadvertently hooked. “We did not take this decision lightly. It followed discussions with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, organised angling, Marine and Coastal Management from the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs and other specialists.
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BED & BREAKFAST W Buya Futhi B&B 035 590 1138 www.buyafuthi.co.za P Leopard Corner B&B 035 590 1667 www.leopardcorner.co.za I St Lucia Wetlands GH**** 035 590 1098 www.stluciawetlands.com X Santa Lucia GH **** 035 590 1151 www.santalucia.co.za (AA Awards winner) GUESTHOUSES Y Avalone**** 035 590 2112 www.avalone-guesthouse.com Y Lalapanzi*** 035 590 1167 www.lalapanzi.co.za V Maputaland GH*** 035 590 1041 www.maputaland.com L Zulani**** 035 590 1427 www.zulani.co.za HOLIDAY HOMES V Enduduzweni 082 703 8080 enduduzweni@stlucia-southafrica.com T La Dolci Vita No.1 082 651 2837 www.sa-venues.com/visit/ladolcevita/ LODGES E St Lucia Safari Lodge 035 590 1133 previously known as Namib Safari Lodge www. stluciaaccommodation.co.za EMERGENCY SERVICES SA POLICE ALPHA ALERT SECURITY
035 590 1221 076 295 2907
RETAIL & SERVICE G Bureau de Change 035 590 1252 @ Paw Print Janine - Graphic Designer 073 403 0007 www.thetrumpeter.co.za G Jacana Properties 035 590 1169 Estate agents G Paw Print 035 590 1252 PC acsessories, books & stationery C Pixies 071 141 1527 Ethnic clothing, jewellery, curios & CD’s HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS P Nelique 035 590 1417 Beauty Salon T Tai Chi & Yoga 035 590 1644 Acupressure, massage & reflexology WHERE TO EAT F Wimpy “St Lucia”
035 590 1393
SELF CATERING G Budget Backpackers 082 627 6208 www.budgetbackpackers.co.za U Fish Eagle 083 741 8948 - Contact Carla C Hippo Hideaway 035 590 1025 www.hippohideaway.co.za R Ingwenya Lodge 072 172 2119 www.ingwenyalodge.co.za D St Lucia Wilds 035 590 1033 Birder friendly - www.stluciawilds.co.za A The Bridge 035 590 1553 Fully servised, tennis, squash, pool.
Your Day is coming! Recently I was diagnosed with AAADD. Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. This is how it manifests: I decided to wash my car. As I start toward the garage I notice that there is mail on the hall table. I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car. I lay my car keys down on the table put the junk mail in the trash can under the table, and notice that the trash can is full. So I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the trash first. But then think, since I’m going to be near the mailbox when I take out the trash anyway, I may as well pay the bills first. I take my checkbook off the table, and see that there is only one check left. My extra cheques are in my desk in the study, so I go to my desk where I find the can of Coke that I had been drinking. I’m going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Coke aside so that I don’t accidentally knock it over. I see that the Coke is getting warm, and I decide I should put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold. As I head toward the kitchen with the coke a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye - they need to be watered. I set the Coke down on the counter, and I discover my reading glasses that I’ve been searching for all morning. I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I’m going to water the flowers.
BOOKING OFFICES AH Advantage Tours advantage@zululink.co.za G St Lucia Safaris www.stluciasafaris.co.za
035 590 1259 035 590 1363
WHALE WATCHING AH Advantage Tours 035 590 1259 Only legal permit holder. www.advantagetours.co.za TOUR OPERATIONS & GUIDES AH Advantage Tours 035 590 1259 Whale watching & boat cruises Bhangazi Horse Safaris 083 792 7899 Zululand horse riding & safaris Extreme Nature Tours 076 485 5366 Game drives, dolphin swimming, turtle tours. G St Lucia Safaris 035 590 1363 Boat cruises www.stluciasafaris.co.za H Heritage Tours & Safaris 083 457 2147 Info office / Internet cafe www.stlucia.co.za FISHING CHARTERS AH Advantage Charter 035 590 1259 www.advantagetours.co.za K Wave Dancer Fish Charter 084 628 1162 “Once you’re hooked, there’s no turning back.” wavedancer@kznweb.com HELPLINE SERVICES EKZN Helpline EKZN iSimangaliso Wetlands Park St Lucia Ski Boat Club
033 845 1999 035 590 2871 035 590 1633 082 559 1376
I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table. I realise that tonight when we go to watch TV, I will be looking for the remote, but I won’t remember that it’s the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I’ll water the flowers. I splash some water on the flowers, but most of it spills on the floor. So, I set the remote back down on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill. Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do. At the end of the day: the car isn’t washed, the bills aren’t paid, there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter, the flowers aren’t watered, there is still only one cheque in my cheque book, I can’t find the remote, I can’t find my glasses and I don’t remember what I did with the car keys. Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I’m really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I’m really tired. I realise this is a serious problem, and I’ll try to get some help for it, but first I’ll check my e-mail. Do me a favour, will you? Forward this message to everyone you know, because I don’t remember to whom it has been sent. Don’t laugh - if this isn’t you yet, your day is coming! 10
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R.J De Beer
Established since 1991 Shane Chudleigh
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