Oord treur oor Isabel

Isabel Hattingh

Die inwoners van die Warmbad Renaissance-aftreeoord is onlangs diep geskok weens die onverwagse afsterwe van die 81-jarige Isabel Hattingh op 12 Desember 2017. Isabel en Ampie was die heel eerste inwoners van ons oord. Hulle het op 1 April 1991 hulle intrek in E20 geneem.

Ampie en Isabel Hattingh

Isabel was alom gelief – veral deur diegene met wie sy ten nouste saamgewerk het om die oord se terrein te versorg. Sy was jare lank een van Piet Combrink se getroue en kundige assistente. Die ander twee was die tuinwerkers, Daniel Marakalle en Thomas Mawanganya.  Piet het vanjaar uitgetree nadat hy die bestuurskomitee se omgewingsbewaringportefeulje 14 jaar lank behartig het.

Die foto hieronder toon Piet, Daniel en Thomas wat ‘n witstinkhoutboom ter ere van Isabel op die grasperk voor die administrasiegebou plant.

Word-of-mouth marketing works

John (78) and Colleen (68) Meredith’s decision to purchase U50 is further proof that word-of-mouth marketing works. When their good friends, Steve and Felicity van der Merwe (U106), suggested a while ago that Warmbad Renaissance may well provide an end to their quest for a secure place of retirement, the Merediths investigated and were soon won over by our village.

John was born in Devon, England, and grew up in northern Johannesburg. After completing his schooling at Highlands North Boys’ High School, he completed an apprenticeship as a printer. He worked in the printing trade for many years before retiring as a paper merchandiser.

Colleen was born in Johannesburg, and grew up in the suburb of Townsview. After matriculating at Forest High School she joined an insurance company as a life insurance underwriter. She progressed through the ranks, eventually retiring as a departmental head at Sage Life.

Colleen has a daughter from a previous marriage. John has three children and seven grandchildren, also from a previous marriage.

From one corner of paradise to another

Buck (79) and June (76) Hewie recently exchanged one corner of paradise for another when they moved from Marloth Park on the border of the Kruger National Park, to our village for security and family reasons. They bought U29 and are, as June enthusiastically says, “as happy as sand fleas!”

Buck, born and bred in Pretoria, completed his school education at the Pretoria Technical High School in 1956. After school he became a qualified motor mechanic and continued further study in Civil Technology. He later joined the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) where he was engaged in research and development projects on design, construction and maintenance of roads. The present excellent condition of our main roads is probably due to the knowledge and efforts of Buck and his colleagues.

June was also born in Pretoria and grew up in the Pretoria Zoo, where her father, a zoologist, used to be an assistant director. After matriculating at Loreto Convent High School in 1958, she embarked on a nursing career at the Andrew McColm Hospital in Pretoria. She studied part time, and is a nursing graduate. June worked for many years at the Pretoria Municipal Health Department. She ended an illustrious nursing career as Nursing Service Manager at Tshepong Hospital.

Buck & June have been married for 53 years. They have one daughter.

Management Committee, 2018

(Front, f.l.t.r.) Barry Vosloo (Vice-Chairman, Communication), Frikman Nel  (Managing Agent), Gerhard van Rooyen (Chairman, Security), Ingrid van den Berg (Secretary), Werner Pauw (Developer), Elsa Erasmus (Finance).

(Back, f.l.t.r.) Flip Dreyer (Maintenance), Marie Snyman (Residents’ Support), Jadene Horne (Conservation), 

Rita Vosloo (Social Action) and Braam Cilliers (Administration)

Onse Dries wen weer eens

Dries (regs) en sy seun, Stefan

Die African Bowhunters-organisasie se nasionale boogskietkampioenskap is op 18-19 November in die Donkerhoek-omgewing in Pretoria aangebied.

Boogskuts van regoor die land en tot so ver as die Wes-Kaap, het die kompetisie bygewoon en boogskiet in al die verskillende klasse is goed verteenwoordig.

Dries Engelbrecht van Bela-Bela en sy seun, Stefan, spog hier met hul wentrofeë en medaljes vir die langboogklas. [Dries is ‘n inwoner van Warmbad Renaissance (E132) - red.]

[Foto en byskrif ontleen aan Die Pos, ons plaaslike koerant en wenner van die ATKV-mediaveertjie 2017 – beste gemeenskaps- of plaaslike koerant]

Jaareindgeselligheid - 22 November 2017

Ons oord se sosiale aksie-portefeulje moes vanjaar weer eens uithaal en wys toe hulle nagenoeg 100 gemoedelike inwoners tydens ons jaareindgeselligheid op smullekker disse getrakteer het.

Die  foto’s hieronder bied ‘n oorsig van die feestelike geleentheid.

'n Blik oor die keurigversierde lokaal

(V.l.n.r) Marie Snyman, Hester Breet, Ria van Rensburg, Bella van Zyl, Ans du Plessis, Wilma Kense en Renate Schmidt

Mel se mense. Dis vir Mel Smith (heel links) 'n saak van trots dat verreweg die meeste inwoners wat in haar straat woon, die oord se funksies getrou ondersteun. 

Die kaastafel was oudergewoonte 'n wenner 

Two talented residents produce new publication

Bold new publication

Kgalagadi Self-drive – Routes, Roads and Ratings, is a bold new publication from HPH Publishing, the publisher of over 30 books on the environment.

This book offers the vision, creativity and hard work of an exceptionally talented team led by Philip and Ingrid van den Berg who live in U34.

Philip and Ingrid van den Berg

Philip and Ingrid have been visiting the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on a regular basis since the early seventies. Over the years they have developed a deep appreciation of its grandeur. The following photo by Philip clearly captures the magnificent landscape.

Camera artistry

Ingrid was responsible for doing research and writing the text. With her

B. Sc. (Hons.) degree, which includes Zoology, Botany and Entomology, she was well-equipped for this.

Philip, whose expertise in wildlife photography and intimate knowledge of nature gleaned from his extensive background in Environmental Education, dealt with the photographic library. He ensured that the finest pictures were selected.

Kgalagadi Self-drive – Routes, Roads and Ratings combines the very best travel tips and route suggestions with captivating photography as demonstrated by the following picture from one of the book’s heart-stopping photo sequences of a lion kill which was taken by Nick Rabjohn.

Going, going ...

... gone!

HPH Publishing was founded by Philip and Ingrid in 2001. Their youngest son, Heinrich, currently runs the company. Click HERE to visit their website.

In die Bosveld gebore en getoë

Die Van der Merwes

Nadat hulle verskeie woonplekke oorweeg het, het Sakkie (65) en Marietjie (55) van der Merwe besluit dat hulle hulle oudag in Warmbad Renaissance wil deurbring. Hulle huur tans E113 en is in hulle noppies met die gerief en ruimte wat dit bied. Hulle is eweneens hoog in hulle skik met ons oord se goedversorgde terrein en die gawe mense wat hulle tot dusver ontmoet het. Kortweg: hulle is hier so gelukkig soos ʼn kat met sewe sterte!Sakkie is op Kuruman gebore. Hy het in Potchesftroom grootgeword en uiteindelik in 1971 aan die Hoër Tegniese Skool Rustenburg gematrikuleer. Hierna het hy in Pretoria by die voormalige Yskor ʼn vakleerlingskap as ʼn elektrisiën voltooi.

Sakkie het in verskeie hoedanighede in die Yskorgroep van maatskappye gewerk voordat hy by die Grootegeluk-steenkoolmyn op Ellisras uitgetree het om sy eie sakeonderneming van stapel te stuur.

Marietjie is ʼn Bosvelder in hart en niere. Sy is op Nylstroom gebore en getoë. Hier het sy in 1982 aan die Hoërskool Nylstroom gematrikuleer voordat sy ʼn student aan die voormalige Technikon Vrystaat in Bloemfontein geword het. Hier het sy diplomas as ʼn aptekers- en tandheelkundige assistent behaal. Na vele omswerwinge, veral in die Limpopoprovinsie, werk sy tans as ʼn skakelpersoon by die St. Vincents-hospitaal op Bela-Bela.

Sakkie en Marietjie het mekaar op Burgersfort ontmoet en is in 2011 op Cullinan getroud. Hy het twee kinders uit ʼn vorige huwelik, en twee kleinkinders. Marietjie was ook voorheen getroud en het een seun.

Troupantlaners hou straatbraai

Kort na ons oord se ontstaan 26 jaar gelede, het die behoefte aan sosiale interaksie tussen die inwoners uitgeloop op ons straatbraaitradisie. Straatbraaie vervang nie die meer formele geleenthede wat deur die bestuurskomitee se sosiale aksie-portefeulje gereël word nie.

Die doel van ‘n straatbraai is om sommer net ander straatbewoners se geselskap te geniet en om nuwe inwoners in die buurt te verwelkom.

Die volgende foto’s beeld ‘n onlangse straatbraai uit wat deur die inwoners van Troupantlaan aan huis van Connie en René Venter gehou is.

V.l.n.r. verskyn Gerhard Swart, Connie Venter, Pieter Heyneke en Eddie Kuntz.

V.l.n.r. verskyn René Venter, Beatrix Esterhuizen, en Hester Breet

V.l.n.r. verskyn Annette Heyneke, Lirpa Kuntz, Hester Botes, Raaitjie Minny, Linkie Ellis en Annetjie van Vreden

Indigenous tree of the month (8)

During the past few months, we have provided information about the indigenous trees that occur in our village. The purpose was not only to inform, but also to encourage residents to dedicate themselves to their conservation.

This month we feature the last of the series, i.e. the Tree Wistaria (Bolusanthus speciosus), one of the most spectacular of our indigenous trees when in flower. In Afrikaans it is called Vanwykshout.

One of the most spectaclular of our indigenous trees when in flower

PHILIP VAN DEN BERG (U34) writes: Quite a few Tree Wistarias flourish in our village, e.g. close to U124 and U82.

One of a few Tree Wistarias in our village grows next to U124 

The Tree Wistaria is a decorative, slender, upright, small to medium-sized tree that is widespread in the bushveld areas of southern Africa where it prefers to grow where dolerite outcrops are close to the surface. The dark vertically fissured bark is characteristic.

The vertically fissured bark is characteristic

The striking clusters of pale blue to velvet flowers are produced in profusion during September and October, sometimes even before the new leaves appear. Long papery pods are borne in clusters.

The Tree Wistaria blooms in Spring

Long papery pods are borne in clusters

This versatile tree is very hardy and drought resistant, making it ideal for the garden. The roots are not invasive.

The wood of the Tree Wistaria is sought after by carpenters, because it makes excellent furniture. It works well on a lathe, turning out beautiful table lamps and other articles. The straight growing stems are very hard, termite resistant and used for fencing posts. The roots are used medicinally to alleviate stomach problems and the inner bark is used to treat abdominal cramps.

Nóg stedelinge verruil stadsgewoel vir rustige Bosveld

Dirk (77) en Magda (65) van den Berg is die soveelste talentvolle stedelinge wat onlangs die stadsgewoel vir die landelike rustigheid van die Bosveld verruil het. Hulle het onlangs in E1 ingetrek.

Hulle het voorheen in ‘n meenthuiskompleks in Randburg gewoon.

Dirk en Magda van den Berg

Dirk is op Volksrust gebore en het in Potchefstroom grootgeword. Hy het in 1958 aan die Hoërskool Gimnasium gematrikuleer en daarna die B.Admin.Hons (Bedryfsadministrasie)-graad aan die toentertydse Potchefstroomse Universiteit vir CHO behaal. Later het hy ‘n gevorderde bestuursprogram aan die UNISA-bestuurskool gevolg.

Dirk was lank by verskeie maatskappye in hul personeelbestuursafdeling werksaam. Die laaste 25 jaar van sy beroepslewe was hy ‘n konsultant in organisasie-ontwikkeling en menslike gedrag.

Magda is in Port Elizabeth gebore en het in Roodepoort grootgeword. Sy het in 1969 aan die Hoërskool Roodepoort gematrikuleer. Daarna het sy ‘n onderwysdiploma aan die Goudstadse Onderwyskollege behaal.

Magda was ‘n sakevrou van formaat. Sy het, onder andere, haar eie gymnasium in Germiston, ‘n eiendomsagentskap op Jeffreysbaai en ‘n restaurant en gastehuis op Mosselbaai gehad. Sy is pas aangestel as 'n agent by 'n plaaslike eiendomsagentskap.

Dirk en Magda het mekaar sowat 30 jaar gelede op Germiston ontmoet en bevriend geraak. Hulle is egter intussen met ander persone getroud, dog hul gesinne het jare lank hegte vriende gebly. Hulle het hul wederhelftes later kort na mekaar aan die dood afgestaan en op ‘n dag besluit om die res van hull ewe saam te slyt. Gevolglik is hulle is op 26 April 2010 op Heroldsbaai getroud.

Dirk het twee dogters en drie kleinseuns. Magda het ‘n seun en ‘n dogter, en een kleinseun en twee kleindogters

LO-groep ploeg terug

Die liggaamsoefeninggroep wat op 'n Maandag, Woensdag en Vrydag om 07:30 o.l.v. Rina Steynberg (E105) in die Lapa hulle lywe probeer (?!) soepel hou, het onlangs besluit om so dan en wan ‘n geldjie in ‘n boksie te plaas wat aan die plaaslike tak van die Kankervereniging van Suid-Afrika geskenk word. Tot dusver het die groep meer as R1 600 ingesamel.

Hou daai lywe soepel!

Só ploeg hulle met dankbaarheid ‘n ietsie terug; enersyds vir die goeie diens wat KANSA in die gemeenskap lewer en andersyds dat hulle op hul ouderdom nog steeds soos jonger mense kan bokspring!

Indigenous tree of the month (7)

As indicated previously, each month we will provide information about the indigenous trees that occur in our village. The purpose is not only to inform, but also to encourage residents to dedicate themselves to their conservation.

This month we feature the Bushveld Gardenia (Harpephylum caffrum). It is also known as the White Gardenia.

PHILIP VAN DEN BERG (U 34) writes: Bushveld gardenias are endemic to the low-lying bushveld areas of Southern Africa. It is a shrub or small tree with light-grey trunk and branches. The canopy is densely twiggy.

There are quite a number of Bushveld Gardenias growing in the grounds of Warmbad Renaissance. A striking specimen may be seen at U40, close to the entrance gate.

The Bushveld Gardenia growing in front of U40

This selfsame tree was decorated and used as a Christmas tree in 1991. Residents may recall that Warmbad Renaissance was established in April 1991.

Christmas 1991

Bushveld Gardenias flower profusely in early spring. Sometimes the flowers even appear before the leaves.

The white flowers have long tubes and are very fragrant. They are short-lived and turn yellow after a while. Hawk moths are the main pollinators.

A Bushveld Gardenia flower

Hawk moths are the main pollinators

The fruit are egg-shaped with ridges and remain on the plant for a very long time if not browsed by animals.

Bearing fruit

Bushveld gardenias are excellent plants for gardens as they are hardy and do not grow too big for smaller gardens. They can even be used for hedges. 

Inwoners verdien 'n klop op die skouer

Ondanks die huidige waterskaarste, doen die meeste inwoners baie moeite om hulle tuine te versorg. Só dra hulle veel by tot die netjiese voorkoms van ons oord.

Hieronder verskyn enkele foto’s ter illustrasie hiervan.

Chris en Liz Snyders (E97) se tuin

Anna van Rensburg (E74) s'n

"With the onset of spring, I am calm again" - Gustav Mahler

The late Robin Williams was fond of saying, “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party.'”

As the following pictures show, the Social Action Group recently responded to his call and provided a marvellous Bushveld Breakfast in celebration of the onset of spring.

Residents helping themselves to the tasty dishes

New residents joined in the festivities. They are (standing, f.l.t.r.) Philip van den Berg, Steve van der Merwe and Klaus Kirchner. Seated (f.l.t.r.) are Georgia Kirchner, Bella van Zyl, Ingrid van den Berg, Sarie Smit, Hester Breet, Marthie Bonnema, and Felicity van der Merwe

Fanie en Dalene Seymore verhuis vanaf Kemptonpark na Bela-Bela

Fanie (65) en Dalene (65) Seymore het onlangs hulle intrek in E53 geneem. Hulle het voorheen op Kemptonpark gewoon.

Dalene is op Brakpan gebore en het in 1970 haar skoolopleiding  aan die Hoërskool vir Kuns, Musiek en Ballet in Pretoria voltooi. Daarna het sy as ‘n verpleegkundige by die H F Verwoerd Hospitaal gekwalifiseer. Die nagdienswerkery by hospitale het haar egter min geval en, nadat sy bedank het, het sy poste by verskeie spesialiste beklee, o.m. by ‘n gastro-enteroloog.

Fanie is in Zeerust gebore en getoë. Hy het in 1970 matriek aan die Hoërskool Zeerust behaal. Hierna het hy ‘n vakleerlingskap as ‘n elektro-meganikus (millwright) by Yskor in Pretoria voltooi. In hierdie hoedanigheid was hy verantwoordelik vir die installasie en instandhoudig van elektriese toerusting. Hy het hom egter mettertyd as ‘n tegniese tekenaar bekwaam. In 1983 het hy ‘n pos by Eskom aanvaar waar hy tot sy uittrede gewerk het.

Die Seymores het pas ‘n droogskoonmakery op Modimolle en ‘n wassery op Bela-Bela aangeskaf. Hulle sê dat hulle tot dusver hulle verblyf in die Bosveld geniet. Hulle voel tuis en veilig in ons oord en het reeds ‘n aantal aangename inwoners ontmoet.

Fanie en Dalene is in 1974 in Waverley getroud. Hulle het een dogter en drie kleinkinders op wie hulle versot is.

They exchanged one Renaissance Retirement Village for another

Klaus (74) and Georgia (72) Kirchner have recently moved from Glenvista Renaissance to Warmbad Renaissance after purchasing Unit 36. Glenvista is a suburb to the south of Johannesburg. They are pleased with their move away from the hustle and bustle of the big city to the beauty and solitude of the Bushveld.

Georgia was born in Pienaarsrivier, outside Bela-Bela, where her parents owned a hotel. She attended a Catholic school at Potgietersrust (now known as Mokopane). She fondly remembers spending many happy hours growing up at Warmbad, as Bela-Bela was then known.

After completing her education, she joined the Department of Labour in Pretoria where she worked as a clerk.

Klaus was born in a part of Germany that would later became East Germany after the Russians occupied the area during WW2. His father did not subscribe to communism and moved to West Germany. The rest of the family followed him in 1954 and settled in the city of Mainz. Here Klaus became an electro-technician before emigrating to South Africa in 1969 to join the Schindler Group, installing escalators, elevators, and moving walkways.

Klaus and Georgia met in Pretoria, fell in love, got married in 1970 and moved to Cape Town. They have two daughters and three grandchildren who live in England.

Georgia is a competent artist and enjoys cooking and baking, while Klaus is a keen golfer.

Indigenous tree of the month (6)

As indicated previously, we will provide information during the next few months about the indigenous trees that occur in our village. The purpose is not only to inform, but also to encourage residents to dedicate themselves to their conservation.

This edition features the Sausage tree (Kigelia africana).

PHILIP VAN DEN BERG (U34) writes: Sausage trees are widespread in the tropical areas of Africa. They are large with low-branching trunks and dense, rounded canopies that remain green throughout the year in most areas. During winter they appear like isolated green islands in an otherwise dry and drab environment.

Sausage tree are large and remain green throughout the year

The few specimens growing in our village or along streets in the vicinity are rather small and stunted, mainly because the soil is not as deep and fertile as the alluvial soil sausage trees prefer.

Sausage trees flower for a long period during springtime. The spectacular, prominent dark red flowers hang down from branches on long flexible stems and attract some birds and insects during the day. The main pollinators, however, seem to be bats that are attracted by their scent that is most notable at night.

The flowers are dark red and hang on long flexible stems

A variety of animals relish the flowers. Impala, and browsers such as kudu, nyala, bushbuck and giraffe, are attracted to the flowering trees.

An impala feeding on a flower

The seeds that are produced after flowering remain on the tree for a very long time and ripe fruit start falling from May through to April the next year. They are huge and sausage-like and weigh up to 10 kg. Parking under a fruiting tree is not advised!

The seeds are large and sausage-like

The fresh fruit is not fit for human consumption, but it can be eaten after roasting the dry seeds or for brewing beer. The wood is widely used by indigenous people to make canoes, oars, utensils and yokes.

Bestuursvereniging hou spesiale algemene vergadering

Ons bestuursvereniging, wat uit die eienaars van eenhede in ons oord bestaan, het op 24 Augustus 2017 ‘n spesiale algemene vergadering gehou.

Die doel van die vergadering was om die geouditeerde finansiële state vir die jaar geëindig 31 Desember 2016 in oënskou te neem en om twee mosies wat voorheen ingedien is, te oorweeg.

Die bestuursvereniging luister aandagtig na die voorsitter, Gerhard van Rooyen

Die finansiële state is deur ons bestuursagent, Frikman Nel, ter tafel gelê. Nel het daarop gewys dat die ons oord se finansies baie gesond is. Nadat hy enkele vrae beantwoord het, is die state eenparig goedgekeur.

Ons bestuursagent, Frikman Nel

Hierna het die bestuursvereniging die stand van ons sekuriteitsmaatreëls onder die loep geneem. Onder andere is die opgradering van hierdie maatreëls bespreek. Die vereniging het besluit dat die huidige sekuriteitsmaatreëls voldoende is.

Vervolgens het die moontlikheid om voorafbetaalde elektrisiteitsmeters te laat installeer, aandag geniet. Die bestuursvereniging het dié mosie verwerp.

Indigenous tree of the month (5)

As indicated previously, we will provide information during the next few months about the indigenous trees that occur in our village. The purpose is not only to inform, but also to encourage residents to dedicate themselves to their conservation.

This edition features the Weeping Boer-bean tree (Schotia brachypetala) In Afrikaans it is known as the Huilboerboonboom. A young(-ish) specimen may be viewed in Kwikstertjie Avenue next to U26.

The Weeping Boer-bean is a medium-sized tree with a low branching habit and an attractive, wide-spreading rounded crown. It is evergreen in our region. The tree gets its showy, new bright red leaves in spring, maturing to a glossy dark green.

The Weeping Boer-bean is a medium-sized tree

The common name of 'Weeping Boer-bean' is derived from the abundant nectar produced by the waxy, crimson flowers during September and October.  The nectar attracts a wide variety of birds and insects.

The flowers produce abundant nectar

After flowering, large seed pods develop which burst open when ripe.

Seed pods

The bark of younger trees is smooth and grey to light brown and as the tree matures it becomes darker and rougher. The bark can be used for dyeing, producing an earthy red-brown colour.

The bark of younger trees is smooth and grey to light brown

The timber is of a good quality and the hard heartwood is a dark walnut colour, and termite resistant. In the past it was used for wagon making, and today it is still used for making furniture. In traditional medicine a decoction of the bark or roots is taken by indigenous people to treat many ailments from heartburn and hangovers, to diarrhoea and nervous heart conditions. It is also believed to purify the blood. The seeds are edible after roasting, and although low in fat and protein, they have high carbohydrate content.