NEWSLETTER - Solms Delta

NEWSLETTER
January-February 2012
Compiled by:
Tracey Randle &
Charné Abrahams.
Translations: John
van Zyl
With 2012 well into the swing of things what with harvest underway, busy
summer concerts, and the Oesfees just around the corner, one would be forgiven for thinking that no one on Solms-Delta sleeps! The beginning of the
year is a time for a fresh start and new beginning– and in case you noticed
something different even this newsletter has got a new look.
It’s time to throw away the excuses of last year and get moving– we’ve got new exciting programmes on the farm
this year (watch this space!), new people and new ideas in the air. And why not add to it, whether personally or
professionally. Why not start walking, or running or hiking, knitting or writing, singing, dancing, or involve yourself
in a programme, project or training on the farm that you’ve always wanted to do? The only person who limits our
dreams are ourselves, so go for it! 2012 can hold whatever you want it to!
NEW APPOINTMENTS
Welcome on board to the following people on the farm!
Sakkie Douw - Maintenance Department (working with Steyn)
Having previously worked on neighbouring farms where he was manager, Sakkie now joins the Solms team
with much experience under his belt. Having lived on the farm for almost 13 years with his wife Johanna and
their three daughters and two sons, it’s wonderful to have Sakkie now officialy part of our work force as well!
Alexander Floors - Dik Delta Team
This youngest son of Johannes and Johanna Floors is no stranger to the farm as he is a resident here. Having
attended school at Ligstraal and completed his level 3, he now works with the Dik Delta team and enjoys his
work, and we certainly appreciate all his hard work there!
Michelle Gericke - Office Administrator and Personal Assistant to Craig and Cathy
With a background and diploma in information technology , and having previously worked for Quantity Surveyors, Michelle comes to us with a fresh perspective and enthusiasm for getting us all organised on the
farm. This married lady from Brackenfell will always receive you with a smile, and is bursting with fresh
ideas! So wonderful to have you part of our team Michelle!
KLEIN HANDJIES NEWS!
HIGHLIGHTS OF JAN-FEB 2012: SOLMS-DELTA DAY-CARE CENTRE
It is a new year at “Little Hands” Day-Care Centre which brought with it new challenges! One of these challenges was the starting of our own Grade RR class this year with 12 learners. We also opened our doors and welcomed new toddlers from Meerlust
Bosbou and Alleé Bleúe Farm. Here are the 30 toddlers who are currently enrolled in our day-care centre. Marvaan en Phiwe,
two of our new babies, took their first steps this year at our day-care centre.
Again the purpose of our day-care centre this year will be to give our toddlers the opportunity to develop fully in all the areas of
their development through supported daily play activities. Therefore the motto of the day-care centre is “LEARNING THROUGH
PLAY”! Our daily programme includes: theme-based creative activities; free play; story telling; singing of songs; dancing; water
and sand activities; gross motor skill development; ball skills development and exploring in a safe loving and healthy environment.
Themes we have covered so far the past two months
range from “My School”; “I am Special”; “Healthy Body
and Healthy food”; “My Family”; “My House”; “Our
Farm” and “Pets”. As part of our theme based cooking
lessons on Fridays, we made “Fish Finger Men” and
“Heart Valentine Snacks”.
After a hot and busy morning full of fun and activities
at our day-care centre the children have the opportunity to rest. Some of our toddlers often decides to fetch
their bottles themselves and finds a peaceful place to
rest tired of waiting for the rest to finish their lunch.
Our overseas guests enjoy visiting our day-care centre on a regular basis and one guest even take a rest on one or the children’s
mattresses tired from the “long” walk from the museum.
MORE KLEIN HANDJIES NEWS!
Our oungs the past two months were very excing. On the 2nd of February we went on our annual oung to the “Pick Pay” in
Franschhoek as part of our theme on “Healthy Food”. The manager, Steward, welcomed us and gave the toddlers an opportunity
to visit the different departments in the shop. They were also privileged to see how bread, cake and muffins are baked in the bakery. Afterwards the manager gave each child a muffin and apple to eat.
Harvest has arrived on Solms-Delta and on the 8th of February we visited our farm cellar where Hilko and Maria showed us how
grapes are pressed. This outing was part of our theme about “Our Farm”. “Ouma” Bridget and all the children had an opportunity
to help the cellar workers pressing the grapes!
On Friday the 17th of February the children ran again in our annual athletic meeting. The parents enjoyed a Valentines “Bring
and Braai” afterwards and it was an opportunity to meet the new parents as well. Everybody enjoyed themselves especially the
children jumping on the jumping castle and the fathers chatting around the fires.
Another challenge for this year was to let the little children participate in the “Summer
Concerts” on the 14th of January, 28th of January, the 25th of February and the 10th of
March. Although the concerts started at 19h00 all the children participated. Even the
new children who were only enrolled for one week all took part. We are so proud of our
little children that participated with such confidence as “Little Stars” in front of the audience!
One of the great highlights still ahead is “Little Hands” third performance at the annual
Franschhoek Oesfees on Saturday the 24th of March. The little children are going to sing
traditional Afrikaans songs again and will have the opportunity to do their “Riel dance”.
MORE KLEIN HANDJIES NEWS!
We are privilege to have Bridget Astor visiting our day-care
centre twice a week, on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings
to assist with our creative activity lessons. On the 17th of
January “Ouma” Bridget donated 20 scooter bikes and tricycles to the day-care centre that will definitely assist with the
toddler’s gross motor skills development. Here is Bridget
Astor with our excited children waiting to practice their
“driving skills”. We are also very grateful to Nico Jansen and
his team who took the time to paint our “Roads” and “Road
signs” to ensure the “safety” of our children on our schools
roads!
We have monthly parent information meetings that give the
parents the opportunity to be involved in the education of
their toddlers. On the 15th of February a new Parent Committee for our daycare was selected. The new members are
Rona Cloete and Lindy Sihlabeni representatives of our
“Beertjie” class, Stellie van der Merwe and Cath Farmer representatives of our “Blommetjie” class and Griet Jansen and Hannie Williams the representatives of our “Vissie” class. They are
going to assist us with fundraising and also to organise events for this year. We are grateful for their willingness to be on our
Parent Committee.
We are very proud of Clara Geel who was selected by our “Little Hands” Teachers as the best teacher of our
day-care centre for 2011 at our farm braai on the 3rd of February.
We sadly had to say goodbye to nine of our children last year who started
with Gr R and Gr RR at Franschhoek School this year. Here is Haynishia with
her parents on her first day in Gr RR at Franschhoek School and Jaythee, Lee
-Clifton, Shaan-Marie, Kernell and a new friend in front of their new Gr R
classroom.
We are very proud of our first group of children who joined our playgroup
in 2009, who started with their school career in Grade 1 on the 11th of
January. We wish them all the best and hope they will come and visit us.
ANNA FOUNDATION NEWS
The Anna Foundation Afterschool Care Programme has hit the ground running in 2012:
New teachers, new kids, new programmes.
At our PTA meeting on 25 January we met with our new teachers. The Delta Trust has permanently appointed Hassel-Dean
Daniels as assistant to Miss Karlien in the younger classes. Veronica Cloete, a teacher at Simondium Primary School, has been
appointed by the Anna Foundation as Grade 5-7 support. A new facilitator for pupils at Franschhoek High School, Chantel, was
also introduced and everyone enjoyed the get-together. Five new grade R's have joined us: Lee Clifton Julies, Shaan-Mari
Boonzaaier, Jaythee Scheepers, Bomi and Kernell Ngcawe Klaasen. Amy Davids is now part of the grade 7's, and Zo-Earl
Brandt is a new girl in Grade 8.aangesluit: Lee-Clifton Julies, Shaan-Mari Boonzaaier, Jaythee Scheepers, Bomi Ngcawe en Kernell Klaasen. Amy Davids is nou deel van die graad 7’s en Zo-Earl Brandt is ‘n nuwe meisie in gr 8.
Our new teacher,
Veronica Cloete.
We have a new, shorter sports programme that
(above) Grade 4 kids practicing their times tables
includes games and life skills orientation. In addi-
(below) Students from the US Sports Sciences faculty playing with
Grade R - 3 kids.
tion, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, students of the
University of Stellenbosch come to play with the
children. Our children have also been invited in
April a dance performance with students from
Bridge House. They have begun to practice it on
Fridays. Seven of our children improved their
fitness by participating in the “27 For Freedom”
fun run on 11 February.
Schoolwork always takes up the largest part of
our day. From the smallest to the largest, everyone has a lot of homework every day. The children make good use of resources, books and
other equipment.
MORE ANNA FOUNDATION NEWS
Grade R-3 (Karlien Afrika)
Anna Foundation teachers,
Karlien Afrika and Quinton
Daniels share their experiences of the first term. Read
their letters on the left. Thanks
for your ongoing commitment,
patience and dedication in
teaching and motivating our
farm children! How lucky we
are to have you both.
The first quarter started with a “Bang!” The learners were very excited and
very enthusiastic. The new grade R learners have also fitted in well with
the afterschool programme.
One of the grade R learners was busy completing his activity. After a while
he looked up and said, “Miss, I am only still going to come to school this
week.”
The teacher asked him, “And where are you going to work?”
The learner replied, “ No, miss, I said that I am only to come to school this
week.”
Karlien Afrika
Teacher,“ But you can’t even write your name yet, don’t you want to keep
coming until you can write your name.?”
He started to smile and replied, “Oh yes, in that case I will come until I can
write my name.”
That’s one way to get the learners motivated!
Newsletter
Yes, folks, we are already in 2012 and the first quarter has started.
We are ready and willing to deal with this big challenge! This is the time of
the year for covering books and handing out stationary. New grades and
new challenges lie ahead. We have to roll up our sleeves and make sure
that we tackle all our jobs and our homework effectively. We are feeling
our way through all the homework, which is gradually increasing as we prepare for the first quarter. We are still enjoying this time by playing little
games and also playing some cricket, but one of these days we are going
full steam ahead with our sports programme. We hope we are going to
have a good 2012 and that we will forget all the things that might have hurt
Quinton Daniels
us in 2011. We wish you lots of luck and may God bless you and keep you in
2012.
Quinton.
COMMUNITY
NEWS
Our Solms-Delta community has been busy with all sorts of programmes these past two months, our
social worker Charné Abrahams reports back on it all...
TWO NEW SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS
Charné is so looking forward to having two third year Social Work students
from the University of Stellenbosch join her from 23th February until the end
of October 2012. The students, Darlene Bruiners and Lauren Liebenberg, will
do their practical on the farm where they will be supervised by Charne. They
will be here once a week to do casework, group work and community work.
This will be a very good opportunity for them to learn about Social Work in
practice but also wonderful for the farm as it enables much more outreach to
the community. The students will share the same building as Charne and we
look forward to welcoming them on board!
SCHOOL STATIONARY
All the beneficiaries’ children (people working and living on the farm) received school
stationary for 2012. Thanks so much Wijn de
Caab Trust! Here are Solms-Delta’s grade 1
learners showing off some of their stationary.
NEW FACILITATOR AT FRANSCHHOEK SCHOOL
Chantel Myburgh is the new appointed facilitator at Franschhoek School. As a qualified teacher with 19 years experience,
Chantel has joined us to assist Solms-Delta’s 54 children with extra help towards their school work. She is there 5 days a week
and helps then during school hours. The extra help is really benefitting Solms-delta’s kids a great deal and we are already seeing the difference in their schoolwork. Chantel lives in Pniel along with her husband and 3 children. Her hobbies include reading, camping, watching movies and doing creative activities. It is so great to have you join us Chantel!
MUSIC NEWS...
SUMMER CONCERT SUCCESS!
The season is truly under way, with many successful musical evenings
behind us, and a couple more to go until the last one on March 10. John
van Zyl brings this experience to life for us below:
The first concert on 14th January kicked off with the adorable Kleinhandjies (Little Hands) choir from the crèche. All togged out in white pants,
blue jackets, and white hats and carrying small blue umbrellas, they
nearly put the professional klopse carnival troupes of Cape Town to
shame. They even performed a couple of traditional Riel dances – the
Khoisan derived dances that are enjoying a tremendous, popular revival
through the competitions arranged by the ATKV. They were naturally
given a rapturous reception by the audience.
Subsequent concerts featured all the sections of the music heritage development programme: the Soetstemme Choir (by now much in demand throughout the Winelands for functions and festivities) the Delta
Optel band, and the Langbroeke band. Through the help of music tutors
they have discovered their musical talents and have developed these
talents into real artistry, but continue to play their hearts which is what
we have treasured in them from the start. If there were any doubts remaining as to their quality, this is often dispelled when the Soetstemme
choir combine with the Langbroeke brass band. The music is irresistible
and the entire audience can’t help but get up and dance. It’s infectious!
MUSIC PROJECT RECEIVES AWARD
The Music van de Caab Heritage Development Project most recently
won a Performing Arts award for Music from the Western Cape Government Department of Culture and Sports for 2011 and 2012. This award
sought to recognise outstanding achievements and contributions in the
areas of Arts, Culture, Heritage, Language, Museums, Libraries and Archives Services in the Western Cape. These awards were open to any
individuals, organisation or group whose efforts have made a difference to the communities within the Western Cape. The
awards also seek to honour those whose work contributes to strengthening the platform upon which the Western Cape can
position itself as the creative centre of the nation and abroad.
Our music project met the criteria in that we show a commitment to the developmental needs of the community, and we focus
on heritage, nation-building, youth and women’s empowerment in the field of arts and culture.
We are so proud of everyone who makes this project what it is! From the Delta Trust and other funders who believes in us and
continues to fund what we do, the music managers, administrators, behind the scenes developers, and of course most importantly our brilliant and talented music project participants!
OESFEES NUUS…
KRAMER BACK AGAIN! AND OTHER FAVOURITES...
The incomparable David Kramer returns to the annual Franschhoek Oesfees – now in its
fifth year – to be held on Saturday, 24 March, 9am to 9pm.
Kramer, the award-winning musical comedic talent behind DISTRICT SIX and KAT AND THE
KINGS, was a key attraction at the first Franschhoek Oesfees held in 2008. Since then, the
festival has grown substantially, both in its depth and range of performers, and number of
attendees, with over 4500 expected to attend this year.
“The Oesfees has held a very dear place in my heart since that first day of lekker sounds
four years back, when no one knew beforehand how it would resonate,” said Kramer.
“The incredible team of talent scouts behind the festival has brought many musical gems
to the forefront, all representatives of our national heritage. I am very proud to return to
what has become one of South Africa’s musical highlights.”
Alongside Kramer is a host of top entertainers, including Chris Chameleon, a two-time
SAMA winner who has mesmerized local and international audiences with his four-octave
voice and vocal acrobatics; all-round singer and funnyman Emo Adams, who stars in KYKNET’s JOU SHOW; and Karoo-born singer Theuns Jordaan, whose rumbling bass renditions
of Afrikaans classics as well as his own compositions have wowed audiences nationwide.
Other performers include Afrikaans hip-hop/folk fusion band Tribal Echo, legendary spoon-slide guitarist Hannes Coetzee, Cape
Jazz players Hot Water, local female boereorkes the Kaapse Affodille, alongside Solms-Delta’s very own home-grown bands, ranging from the Klein-Handtjies pre-school choir and “Kaapse Klopse” style walking band to a top wind and percussion band with female choir ensemble. Performing on their own turf will be the Gramadoelas, Delta Valley Entertainers, Delta Vastrap Genootskap, Delta Optel Band, Lekker Lekker Delta, Delta Langbroeke, the Delta 4 & 5 and the Soetstemme female choir.
Be sure not to miss out on what looks set to be the most spectacular Oesfees to date!
NEW SOETSTEMME ALBUM TO LAUNCH AT OESFEES
Exciting news! The Soetstemme have been
very busy recording a brand new project
showcase album, titled “Bamboesbos”, to
be released at this year’s Oesfees.
It is a 12 track CD, containing medleys and
arrangements of traditional material, as
well as original songs composed and arranged by Leslie Javan, Adriaan Brand,
Nick Turner, Carlo Fabe, Oslin Jacobs, the
Delta Soetstemme and the Delta Langbroek Band. We are very proud to showcase how our project is developing from
one which appreciates heritage, to one
which incorporates technically proficient
and talented professional songwriters, to
one which empowers participants to build
on their musical heritage themselves. This
album is a wonderful journey through this process.
Four well known artists offered their voices for free: Anton Goosen, Karen Zoid, Pieter van der Westhuizen, and Valiant Swart.
So once all the fun and excitement of Oesfees itself is over, we can continue to listen and be inspired by to the musical heart
of the Cape winelands. The CD is produced by Adriaan Brand and Nick Turner, and mixed by Gerhard Roux at the US Studios in
Stellenbosch.
FROM THE GRAPE VINE
Our General Manager, Cathy Macfarlane, gives us sneak peek into life on Solms-Delta and what has been happening
behind the scenes. ..
HOUSE OF DAVIDS (and a bit of Romanz) COMES TO SOLMS-DELTA!
After a two-year absence on stage and in the public eye, former Idols winner Sasha-Lee Davids is back in the limelight with
a new local reality TV show. And Solms-Delta has already been
a part of it! The House of Davids, or Huis van Davids, is a reality series that delves into the lives of the entire Davids family –
including the siblings and parents of the popular singer who
won Idols in 2009 – and their involvement in the community
of Atlantis in Cape town.
Our farm was selected as the venue to celebrate Sasha-Lee’s
21st birthday party. The Davids family already had a history
with Solms-Delta, and had performed at our previous Summer
Concerts and our second Oesfees. The family were good
friends of the late Alex van Heerden, our first music manager.
The Davids family is made up of many (eight) beautiful young
woman, and their two handsome brothers, and they can all
sing amazingly too. No wonder there is a reality show being
made of them.
Anyone who managed to catch the episode of her 21st would
have seen our restaurant lawn set for a truly spectacular 21st
party. Our restaurant manager, Henry de Koker, positively
outdid himself as the tables were all decked out with stunning
overlays and flowers. And just when you thought a moving musical tribute by SashaLee’s brother could not possibly be outdone, who arrives upon horses but the four gorgeous singers of Romanz, serenading a blushing and awe struck Sasha-Lee! All in a day’s
work for our Fyndraai team...whoever keeps thinking the farm should be part of a reality
show can now tick that off the list!