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THE CIRCLE OF LIGHT
CIRCLE OF LIGHT
NEWSLETTER
Of the
Lighthouse Association for the Blind
Tel.: (021) 591 1544/554 / P.O Box 2051Fax: (021) 591 1599 / CAPE TOWN
E-mail: / 8000
Newsletter No. 645 for November 2013
Editor:André Neethling
E-mail:
Editorial
I was asked not to long ago what the winning recipe is for life. After lots of thought, the following came to mind:
Diverse people unite & unity is strength.
Two mottos, one from years ago better known as “Ex unitate vires” and the more recent “ǃke e: ǀxarra ǁke”
So let’s all stand together and unite.
Included in this edition are
The Long Cane rally
SANCB biennial conference
Music concert
Wine Tasting
Lighthouse web site
The bring & buy
Member news
Diary and birthdays
T-Shirts
Why don’t you get yourself one of the Lighthouse T-shirts for only R50? A 100% cotton t-shirt with embroidery so the blind can feel it. Black and very stylish. Perfect for the sunny Cape Town weather.
Make contact with the office to place your order. Only while stocks last.
Long cane rally
Long cane users from all over the CapePeninsula and as far as Worcester came together on 12 October to celebrate and create awareness for the long cane used by blind people.
The participants were greeted by a strong icy wind, threatening grey clouds and a daunting walk from Maidens Cove to Camps bay and back.
Residents of Camps Bay and visitors stood in amazement when the long trail of white cane users ranging from 6 years of age to late 70’s walked with pride, and showing their skill and ability to overcome the everyday hurdles of life.
Volunteers from the Lions helped to keep the walkers on the right path and every walker was welcomed back to Maidens Cove with loud cheers and a medal. Loads of prizes were handed out including 3 Samsung android talking phones sponsored by Vodacom. Congratulations to St Dunstans for yet another successful rally.
SANCB biennial conference
Durban was the venue for the SANCB biennial conference in mid-October. Three Capetonians, Advocate Allan Small, Chairman of the WCPPC, Amanda Matthee, Deputy Chair of WCPPC and also Chair of SABYO, and Sandra Dreyer, Chair of SABWIA WC, were elected as members of the NMC. We salute these women and wish them all the best of luck.
The Deputy Minister for Children, Women and People with Disabilities congratulated Lighthouse on the 75th birthday by awarding the Association with a certificate.
Congratulations Lighthouse, and keep on continuing the good work that you do.
Music concert
On 17 November the Lighthouse Club had a fundraiser in the form of a musical concert. MusiciansGasant Adams, Rudy Burns and Joe Schaffers dazzled the crowd with their talents. Dudley Williams pitched in and had the more than 120 guests hanging on his lips and asking for more.
The Lions of Tyger Valley and the Leos of De Tyger provided drinks, snacks and a small platter of eats during the interval, and donated all the proceeds to the Lighthouse.
With all the Lighthouse members that sold tickets, a number of donations and the selling of the refreshments, the Lighthouse managed to raise nearly R5000 from this concert.
Wine tasting
The owner and winemaker of Boschkloof wine estate, Jacques and his son Reenen, gave the more than 15 Lighthouse members a wine tasting that was very humble and informal. After tasting, and making a fair size purchase of the variety of wines available, the Roggebaai Rotary club gave the Lighthouse members a picnic that everybody enjoyed.
Whether it was the influence of the wine, the food or just her sparkling self, Juanita was having a tug-of-war with 2 of the dogs; the youngest of which was Kaptein, a 6 months old boerbull. Nobody is sure who won the battle. With smiles all over, the Lighthouse members left the wine estate a bit tipsy, but very happy.
Lighthouse website
The long awaited Lighthouse website is up and running and you can go and visit the site by clicking on the link
Any feedback or advice can be sent ,or .
Please feel free to share this news with any and all your friends.
Bring & Buy
A reminder to all the Lighthouse members to please bring their contributions for the bring & buy to the next games evening on 7 November. The office personnel need to price the items to have it ready for 21 November. If you were thinking of skipping this bring & buy, you will be making a big mistake. Tables have been booked for curry & rice, loads of wine, some of the best Christmas gifts you can think of, and a wide variety of cakes, tarts and other sweets.
Member news
Madeleen van den Berg is still at home recovering after a very big operation, and though she still has a long road of recovery ahead, she is very positive. Madeleen feels that she has been offered a second chance in life, and she is using every moment to live life to the full. She still has some side effects from the operation and the medication, but she is positive that she will make a full recovery.
Madeleen, all the Lighthouse members are standing by your side in thought and wish you all the best.
Joanne van Niekerk had just returned from Durban, where she attended the SANCB conference, when she was admitted to hospital to undergo surgery. After spending 5 days in hospital, she was sent home to recover. Joanne will probably not be able to attend any Lighthouse events for the next 2 months, and her abscence will be felt by one and all. We wish Joanne all the best for her recovery and good health for the future.
The morning Expresso show contacted Andre Neethling regarding World Sight Day on 10 October, and invited him to the live show to demonstrate how a blind person can throw darts, and tell a bit more about the everyday hurdles of life that blind and partially sighted people face. To have a look at this interview, click on or search for World Sight Day “Andre Neethling” on YouTube.
For the diary
07 November:Games Evening at the Claremont Civic Centre
16 November:Lukhanyo at the Eyelethu Hall Khayelitsha
21 November: Bring & Buy at the Claremont Civic Centre
30 November:Pat's Garden Party at the Italian Club in Milnerton
05 December:Year End Function at the Claremont Civic Centre
07 December:Lukhanyo at the Salt River Hall.
Birthday book
11 November: Caireen Van der Vyver
17 November:Pulcherie Strangways
22 November: Thelma Rowley
1 December: Princess Schroeder