New rugby coach Heyneke Meyer, promised South Africa and its fanatical supporters only the best will count. Speaking after formally being appointed by SA Rugby Union (SARU), Meyer was at pains to emphasize the importance of the whole nation standing behind him and the Springbok team. “I want this team to be the team of the people, and for everyone to embrace the Springboks.”  SARU’s CEO Jurie Roux, indicated people should celebrate Peter de Villiers contribution to rugby and at an n appropriate time the rugby family will acknowledge his services to the sport.

Beautiful Exchange Grace Church

Are hosting a Valentine Gospel Karaoke

On 24 February 2012

Time 7pm till late

Tickets cost R20, 00

Platters on Sale.

Contact person -083 978 3112

NOTICES FOR WEBSITE

• I ‘m looking for all former workers of Atelier Kari Knitwear, 15 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town, for a Reunion. Call Thelma Meyer on 076 102 0297 or 021 376 0261 for more information.

• The Eoan Group School of Performing Arts will host its open day on Saturday January 28, at the Joseph Stone Auditorium in Athlone from 10am to 1pm. For more information, call Elaine on 021 637 1268.

• The Athlone Academy Music is now open for registration. Tuition in all instruments will resume at Garlandale High School on Saturday February 4. Registration for Tuesday evening classes also at Garlandale High School is open. Call 021 637 3072 (o)

• Tokai Manor Precinct Open Day – SANParks has appointed consultants to prepare a Precinct Plan for the Tokai Manor precinct which is located in the Table Mountain National Park. Members o the public, stakeholders and recreational users are invited to the Open Day, Tuesday 7 February @16h00, Tokai Manor House, to view and comment on the proposals for the Tokai Manor Precinct Plan

• Sherwood Manenberg Cricket Club has junior training sessions on Fridays, from 5 -7pm at the Primrose Park sport filed, Ohio Street. Seniors train Tuesdays and Thursdays on the same fields. To join or assist, call Lamees Allie on 021 692 0393/ 073 736 2715

19th of January, community representatives and supporters held a press conference where community representatives detail plans to take over Rondebosch Commons.

 What are we doing? On the 27th of January, early in the morning, we will wake up and walk. We will walk very far. From our communities in Mitchell’s Plain, in Khayelitsha, in Bishop Lavis, in Manenberg, and many others, we will walk to Athlone Stadium. From there, at about 2pm, we will march together to Rondebosch Common.

 From that evening, the 27th, until the 29th of January, our communities and supporters from all over Cape Town, will take back Rondebosch Commons from the rich dog walkers to hold a People’s Land! Housing! and Jobs! Summit. We will discuss our struggles, talk about alternative ways we can live and decide on actions that will take us forward in our struggle. This will be the first of many actions to come. (copy submitted)

Approximate list of participating communities and organisations:

• Hanover Park Civic Association
• Kraaifontein Backyarders Association
• Hout Bay Civic Association
• Cloetesville Backyarders Association
• Athlone Advice Office
• Bonteheuwel Environmental Forum
• People of the South
• Proudly Manenberg
• Proudly Mitchell’s Plain
• Panati Estate Civic Association
• Leonsdale Community Association
• Ruyterwacht Tenants Committee
• Lavender Hill Civic Association
• Lavendar Hill Backyarders
• Zeal 4 Life Bonteheuwel
• Institute for the Restoration of the Aborigines of South Africa
• Bishop Lavis Outreach Forum
• People’s Health Movement
• SANGOCO Western Cape
• Occupy Cape Town

At the time of writing, the Cobras with 3 matches, including 2 home games, to play in the 4-day series, looks set to retain the Supersport trophy they won last year.  In what has at times been a tough year with all the national call-ups, the consistency of the senior players, Justin Ontong, Dane Vilas and Rory Kleinveldt, among others, have been both pleasing and refreshing. The 4 day competition reaches its climax at the end of February.

J&B Final Field – To be run on 28 January 2012, Kenilworth Racecourse

Horse                                     Jockey                        Trainer

1 BRAVURA                           A Marcus                    Joey Ramsden

2 THE APACHE                      R Danielson               Gavin van Zyl

3 TALES OF BRAVERY          M Byleveld                 Vaughan Marshall

4 ILSANPIETRO                     W Marwing               Mike de Kock

5 LION IN WINTER               G Hatt                         Joey Ramsden

6  SMANJEMANJE                  *G van Niekerk                      Tyrone Zackey

7  CASK                                                                       S H Page

8  FABIANI                             S Cormack                  Glen Kotzen

9  SUPER STORM                   K Neisius                    Mike Bass

10  CHESALON                                  K Teetan                     Mike Bass

11  RUN FOR IT                     B Fayd’Herbe                        Justin Snaith

12  IGUGU                              A Delpech                   Mike de Kock

13  EMERALD COVE             F Coetzee                   Justin Snaith

14  BEACH BEAUTY              A Forbes                    Dennis Drier

15  GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT   P Strydom               Justin Snaith

16  ASTRO NEWS                  R Fourie                     Greg Ennion

Couplings: (1,5) (4,12) (9,10) (11,13,15)

From a cricket connoisseur point of view, this was another shambles for test cricket. Despite the “so-called” pundits hailing world test cricket at the moment healthy, it is far from the truth. A batsman who takes himself serious would in my opinion never play shots like some of the Sri Lankan did or SA’s batsmen against Australia.

Test cricket is supposed to be test of ability, skill and temperament over 5 days, yet what do we see? Recall the first session on the fourth day when Samaweera and Matthews were batting for an entire session, did that no make for compelling viewing either live and or via television. Now suddenly the bowlers had to come up with a plan, in other words “worked out’ the batsmen, nurture a new skill to remove the batsmen, that’s a challenge, that’s a test, not players chasing after wide deliveries and or failing to hit a boundary in an over, suddenly loses patience and play a ridiculous shot.

No, no, the current crop of test players need to catch up and quickly too. If test cricket is going to be played at this rate, I believe this format of cricket is in trouble of surviving. For the last 18 months or so, test matches around the world have lasted on average of 3 and half days. Against a weak Australian team, with no world class players, India with a start studded lineup is unable to play for 5 days. Like a colleague of me would often remark, now really?

If one were to remove Kallis, Pointing, Sangkarra, Tendulkar and one or two world performers, who is left worthwhile to go and watch. Is one surprise when leading players prefer the 20/20?

MELISSA NEL

Learners, teachers and the community have stepped in to combat climate change at the Blossom Street Primary School.

“There are more tornadoes, ice of the poles melting, and tsunamis and it’s all because of climate change,” said Michael Davids, principal of the school during a school assembly.

Five teams of the school were established – each will adopt a certain issue regarding climate change, like waste management, biodiversity, green spaces and energy, Davids explained.

“If the worms are too dry, they will die,” Melanie Jones of Waste to Wealth told the learners as they prepared the compos. The learners are taught to make a garden at the school and take their skills home.

Ziyanda Mhlola, a gr.6-learner took butternut seeds home to plant. “We had to mix the beach sand and soil, and then put the seed into the plant holder. Afterwards we put the water in. Every two days I would water the plant and change the plant’s place to where the sun was.”

Residents are asked to please adhere to the following rules when visiting the City’s public swimming pools, for their own safety:

No alcohol or banned substances may be brought into the facility.

No glass containers are allowed in the facility.

No weapons of any kind are allowed on the premises.

No running or horse-play is allowed in and around the pool.

No dunking or diving off other people’s shoulders is allowed.

No ball games are allowed in or outside the pool area.

No pets may be brought into the facility.

No tents or similar structures may be brought into the facility.

No one may push others into the pool.

Parents should not leave their children unattended at pools.

(Submitted by Councillor Tandeka Gqada, Mayoral Committee Member: Community Services, COCT).