Lunching in Historical Rhebokskloof

Issue # 69
March 2013
Lunching in Historical Rhebokskloof
A
s a special treat for my birthday my family
booked a luncheon on a Sunday at
Rhebokskloof Wine Farm. I had never
heard of this farm but it was recommended to us
as being excellent. We were very pleasantly
impressed when we arrived to see the beautiful
lawns and shade trees extending down to the
dam. There were also amusement items for the
children such as a jumping castle, jungle gym and
mini tractors to ride on, as well as beautiful ponies
which the handlers led around the lawns for the
little ones.
Rhebokskloof itself dates back to 19 August 1692
when Simon van der Stel, then governor of the
Cape, gave a free grant of land to Dirk van
Schalkwyk. It was originally one very large piece
of farmland, but sometime between the First and
Second World Wars it was divided into six
separate farms which were sold off.
It was not until new owners bought Rhebokskloof
in 1986 and were subsequently able to buy back
the other five farms that Rhebokskloof was
returned to its original size. An early dwelling
built around 1692 has since been restored as the
main homestead.
While we were enjoying a truly mouth-watering
buffet lunch I decided to find out a bit more about
the farm and was astounded by the history of the
place.
In 1657 Abraham Gabbema led an expedition to
find more Khoi groups to barter from and to
search for the legendary treasures of
Monomotapa. On the day that they arrived in the
Berg River Valley, the granite boulders towards
the west side of our town glistened in the sun
after some rain showers. This inspired Gabbema
to promptly name this mountain “the Diamond
and Pearl Mountain” from which the name Paarl
was later derived.
The area surrounding Rhebokskloof has
extraordinary scenic beauty throughout the year.
In the autumn months of March, April and May
the trees lose their leaves in a dying burst of
extravagant reds and golds, followed by a cold
winter that sees snow falling on the highest
peaks. Spring comes in September with an
amazing show of wild flowers, and hot, sunny
summers see the vineyards heavy with fruit.
Anyone wishing to discover a wonderful new
experience should consider planning a day outing
together with family or friends and just enjoy the
peaceful beauty and tranquility of the place –
along with some delicious food.
Jack Boddington
Editor
From the Manager’s Desk
t is quite amazing that this newsletter number
is #69 and that in June 2013 we will have been
distributing the Nexus for six years. Quite an
achievement from the humble one page
document that we sent out in July 2007. The
Nexus was the brainchild of that charming lady
Miriam Biderman, may she rest in peace.
I
The only payment that remains with FNB Bank is
that of your restaurant account. If you are paying
your restaurant account by cheque it should be
made out to “Oasis POA” and banked at FNB or
handed in to the Clubhouse who will bank on your
behalf. Hopefully these changes will eliminate the
confusion that has been experienced.
STATISTICS
With only one unsold apartment remaining, that
being 809 Palm Springs, we decided to take out
statistics of the number of persons actually
residing in Oasis Body Corporate (i.e. Palm
Springs and Palm Grove). We have excluded
those few owners who live overseas and do not
come to South Africa very often:Statistics of Oasis - No. of people
231
No. of couples
66
No. of single men
22
No. of single women 77
MUNICIPAL VALUATIONS
We wish to thank all the owners who have
submitted their apartment valuations to us. Don
Geyer and myself, on your behalf, will be
objecting to all valuations in Oasis Body
Corporate as they are obviously too high with
percentage increases ranging up to as much as
52%. We do not believe that cognisance of the
reductions that we negotiated two years ago have
been taken into account. We hope to meet with
the responsible authority at the City Council in the
next few days. We will certainly keep all owners
advised of the current situation.
RESTAURANT
Now that most of the apartments
are occupied we must state that
the turnover in the Restaurant has
improved. We thank all those
residents
who
support
the
restaurant
and
Clubhouse,
particularly those very regular diners. The bad
news however, is that we are forced to increase
prices from 1st April 2013 due to the ever
increasing prices of meat, vegetables and
groceries.
The government claims that the
inflation rate is 6%, but that is nowhere near the
truth. I have compared prices now with a year
ago and found that food prices have definitely
increased by 10 – 12%.
LEVY INCREASES
A letter from our Managing Agent has already
been sent to every owner advising that the levy
increase for the new financial year commencing
1st April 2013 will be 6.9%. Due to confusion
experienced by many owners when paying their
levies whether it should be Standard Bank or FNB
Bank, we have decided that all
levies will be paid into our bank
account at Standard Bank as
from 1st April 2013. Another
letter from our Managing Agent
has been sent to all owners to
this effect.
Nexus – March 2013
Finally, it is so good to see our Trustee, Willie
Willemse, home from hospital and looking better
every day. Willie has been a hard worker for both
the Body Corporate and Property Owners
Association. He has requested that, due to many
reasons, he wishes to relinquish some of his
duties/functions that he has been performing over
the last few years. I personally wish to thank
Willie for all his assistance over the years whether
it be assisting with the irrigation system, showing
opera DVD’s on Sundays,
fire drills and other little jobs.
In conclusion I would like to
take this opportunity to wish
everyone well over the
Easter holidays.
Quote from Ruth Langdon Morgan:
There is a power greater than logic,
and stronger than fear
That which nourishes hope
and lights the way home,
is the power of love.
Keep on smiling!
Jack Boddington
General Manager
Page 2
William’s Words
P
lease note that the CCPOA emergency
number which I had on our Internal
Emergency list no longer exists and has
been discontinued. The new numbers for the
CCPOA emergency control room is as follows:
021-202 1000 and 021-552 0289 (this is an
original existing number). The rest of the
emergency numbers remain the same. We will
be sending out updated emergency lists soon.

Dual view, PVR and Xtra-view
functionality
in
a
Commercial
environment. Please clarify. If they
have dual cabling, will they pick up PVR
in their units on the new system (in a
retirement complex).
For practical reasons the spare
key safe which was kept at Palm
Springs has now been moved to
Palm Grove’s reception area.
There appears to be great excitement regards
the Oasis DSTV package on offer. Please note
that we will be adding another couple of
channels which will make our package
complete - the E-NCA (403) and a Travel
channel will be added. The channels chosen
were mostly based on the survey that was sent
out. This is the Oasis package on offer and
cannot be changed once it is implemented. If
we were to add more channels the entire
complex would have to agree, as any additional
channel will cost R 14.40 to
add and will therefore affect
the
overall
monthly
payments of R 386.20 which
have been advertised.
Herewith, some correspondence between us
and our Multi-choice representative, regarding
some frequently asked questions:

You advised that the system would be
able to be used in a different area, if you
take the decoder and they have a dish
facility? If it can work in other areas,
would they have to contact Multi-Choice
direct, or will it automatically work if
there was a dish and they plugged in
their decoders? Please clarify?
Reply: If you are going to a holiday
house and there’s a dish installed you
can take the decoder + smartcard and if
you encounter an error code you can
clear that by calling the call centre 011
2892289.
Nexus – March 2013
Your letter states:
All the above
mentioned packages are available on a
dual View and SD-PVR, excluding the
Reply:
Yes they can pick up the
channels excluding the PVR services
(for example you can view PVR
channels, but not record it).

You mentioned that they won’t be able
to disconnect the service, whilst away
for long periods, as they will be on the
complex package? Please confirm?
Reply: Package is a group package for
a year. Cancellation can only be done if
somebody passed away or moved out of
the village. This is at a minimum of 6
months on the package.
We wish to again advise about the fire in one of
the apartments and want to express our
gratitude to residents and staff involved for
containing the situation. We want to remind
residents that with an electrical fire, one should
never use water, as this will aggravate the
situation. We thank Mr Goosen who used the
right fire extinguisher and helped prevent the
fire spreading any further. We
will investigate the price of DCP
(Dry Chemical Powder) fire
extinguishers
and
advise
residents accordingly, as we
suggest that you have one in
each apartment.
Please note that the alarm volume has been
investigated before, hence the offer on hand, as
some residents cannot hear it in their
bedrooms. Any owner wishing to have a louder
alarm installed may contact William.
We
already have a list for individual alarms to be
installed inside apartments at a cost of R 1000
per resident.
Page 3
During an evacuation if you cannot raise a
person, please remember that the spare keys,
to access apartments in an emergency, can be
obtained from the Palm Grove Concierge desk.
Five rules to remember in life: John Wayne
1. Money cannot buy happiness, but it is
more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes
than on a bicycle.
2. Forgive your enemy, but remember the
buggers (edited) name.
3. Help someone when they are in trouble
and they will remember you when they are
in trouble again.
4. Many people are alive only because it is
illegal to shoot them.
5. Alcohol does not solve any problems, but
then again, neither
does milk.
Regards,
William
Brain Gym
Down
1. Transported (7)
2. Emblem (5)
3. Tropical bird (6)
4. Mistake (5)
5. Dependable follower (7)
6. Go in (5)
8. Magnitude relation (5)
13. Reinforcement (7)
15. Reasoned judgment (5)
16. Musical passage (7)
17. Opportunity (6)
18. Part of a church (5)
19. Ahead of time (5)
21. Obviate (5)
Nexus – March 2013
Solution on page 8.
Across
1. Floorshow (7)
4. Spooky (5)
7. Detection device (5)
9. Vertical (7)
10. Inactivity (7)
11. Measuring implement (5)
12. Dictator (6)
14. Ecclesiastic (6)
18. Copious (5)
20. Drawn (7)
22. Pouch worn with a kilt (7)
23. Diadem (5)
24. Admittance (5)
25. Spiny anteater (7)
Page 4
Century City Art route
# 8 – FEATHER LANE
Set in the paving at various points along the picturesque Feather Lane, you will find a series of 6 circular
mosaics inspired by the bird life of Intaka Island. These are:–
1. As light as a feather.
2. Kulula njengosiba (As light as a feather).
3. Fine feathers make fine birds.
4. Die vere maak nie die voel nie (Feathers
don’t make the bird).
5. A bird will always use another bird’s feathers
for its own nest.
6. Birds of a feather flock together.
Liz Porter
PS 110
Thank You
Dear Oasis Family of Residents, Management and Staff,
Words can never fully express our heartfelt appreciation for the wonderful way
in which you have supported us during my recent illness and hospitalisation.
Thanks for all your continued prayers, phone
calls, letters, cards and visits and all other
gestures of your love and moral support.
What a wonderful privilege as an Oasis resident
to be part of an Oasis Family of loving and
caring friends who are there for you in all
circumstances.
Love,
Willie & Elsie Willemse
408 Palm Grove
Nexus – March 2013
Page 5
OASIS RAINFALL CORNER
MONTH
2013
January
February
(mm’s)
8.7
30.4
L/T AVE
MONTH
15.0
17.0
YTD
L/T AVE YTD
8.7
39.1
15.0
32.0
So far this year the rainfall in the Century City area is slightly above average.
These readings are kindly supplied by Tony Ross of Palm Springs 901.
Drinking & Driving
I would like to share an experience with
you about drinking and driving. As you
well know, some of us have been lucky
not to have had brushes with the
authorities on our way home from the
various social sessions over the years.
A couple of nights ago, I was out for a few
drinks with some friends and had a few
too many beers and then topped it off
with a Margarita. Not a good idea.
Knowing full well I was at least slightly
over the limit, I did something I've never
done before: I took a taxi home. Sure
enough I passed a police road block but
because it was a taxi, they waved it past.
I arrived home safely without incident,
which was a real surprise because I have
never driven a taxi before and am not
sure where I got it from.
Contributed by:
Lesley Whittaker - PS 510
Contributed by Nannette Hassenstein – PS 606
Nexus – March 2013
Page 6
Entertainment for All
C
an you believe it? April is already almost with us and Easter eggs are overflowing the stores!
We are very happy to announce our speaker for next month. David Davidson is a well-known
personality and he has spoken to us before. Every year he organises those wonderful exhibits and wins
accolades at the Chelsea Flower Show. He will be giving us a slide show and a talk all about his recent
and past shows.
Our speaker last month was Rob Small. A pity we did not have a big turnout as Rob is a really lovely man
and dedicated to his work making Khayalitsha green. He believes that a green environment makes for a
happy man. He will be conducting a special tour on April 23rd. We will be travelling in a convoy of four cars
and he will show us what he has achieved in the African Townships. We can only accommodate 12
members so it will be on a first come service.
It was a great shame that we had to cancel our outing to
Kirstenbosch as we only had one driver. I know everyone has
been to Kirstenbosch, but it is always such a pleasure to be there.
Perhaps we will do this tour again.
Our Horse and Carriage drive has
been very popular and we have a full group of 16 members going. However
if there is a opening maybe we will be able to include you. We will have
lunch at the Gardens and then back to the Castle with the horses.
We have arranged for two outings on
the Orientation Tour of Century
City. Quite a few members are still keen to go so please contact
Miriam if you are one of them. The tour includes a boat trip on the
Canal and a short stop at Canal Walk. This is a chance to get to
know our own area.
It is the time of the year for the Night of the Proms. This is always such a
happy event and very popular. We will have the Combi but will also use private
cars as I am sure we will need the extra transport. This has always been the
most popular outing of the year and I am sure it will be just as good this year
again.
We already have a few future outings planned - a visit to Groote Schuur, lunch at
a wine farm and maybe a return visit to the Vineyard Gardens – just to wet your
appetites. If you have any other ideas for future outings please contact Faye at
408 Palm Springs.
We were thinking of planning a Spur of the Moment theatre, ballet and opera group. When we plan
outings it is usually for at least a month ahead. But very often there are shows that one has to book for
almost immediately in order to obtain seating. Maybe we can arrange to join in a small group and go
together. These shows are usually at night. For more details and if you are interested in joining this group
contact Faye at 408 Palm Springs.
Nexus – March 2013
Page 7
Entertainment for All – April/May Calendar
 Tuesday, 9th April
Open Meeting – David Davidson: Chelsea Flower Show
2:30pm for 3:00pm at the Clubhouse
 Tuesday, 2nd April
Horse & Buggy Ride – through the city; followed by lunch at Gardens
Meet at Clubhouse at 11am
Tickets R100 & Transport R10
 Tuesday, 23rd April
Tour of African Township – with Rob Small
Meet at the Clubhouse at 8:15am
Transport R20
 Tues, 7th May/ Fri 26th April
Orientation Tour of Century City – Boat and bus
Meet at Intake Island entrance at 10am
Advise Miriam which date you prefer
 Sunday, 12th May
Night of the Proms
Meet at the Clubhouse at 6:15pm
Tickets R180 and Transport R10 (Combi available)
 Retirement Q & A 
Question:
Answer:
How many days in a week?
6 Saturdays, 1 Sunday
Question:
Answer:
When is a retiree's bedtime?
Three hours after he falls asleep on the couch.
Question:
Answer:
What's the biggest gripe of retirees?
There is not enough time to get everything done.
Question:
Answer:
Why don't retirees mind being called Seniors?
The term comes with a 10% discount.
Question:
Answer:
Among retirees what is considered formal attire?
Tied shoes.
Question:
Answer:
Why do retirees count pennies?
They are the only ones who have the time.
Question:
What is the common term for a senior who still works
and refuses to retire?
NUTS!
Answer:
Question:
Answer:
Crossword Solution
What's the biggest advantage of going back to school
as a retiree?
If you cut classes, no one calls your parents.
You don't stop laughing because you grow old,
You grow old because you stop laughing.
Contributed by Heather Bishop – PG 409
Nexus – March 2013
Page 8
Oasis Snapshots
Iris Lunch - St. Patrick's Day
Tony Ross, wearing the hat,
With Don and Elizabeth Geyer.
Poem of the Year
The computer swallowed Grandma,
Yes, honestly it’s true!
She pressed 'control and 'enter'
And disappeared from view.
It devoured her completely,
The thought just makes me squirm.
She must have caught a virus
Or been eaten by a worm.
I've searched through the recycle bin
And files of every kind;
I've even used the Internet,
But nothing did I find.
In desperation, I asked Mr. Google
My searches to refine.
The reply from him was negative,
Not a thing was found 'online.'
So, if inside your 'Inbox,'
My Grandma you should see,
Please 'Copy, Scan' and 'Paste' her,
And send her back to me.
This is a tribute to all the
Grandmas & Grandpas, Nanas & Pops,
who have been fearless and
learned to use the Computer.........
They are the greatest!!!
We do not stop playing
because we grow old;
We grow old
because we stop playing ....
Photo taken by Tony Ross of PS 901 from his patio
showing the full parking areas on the land in front of
Oasis on Sports Day held by CCPOA on the weekend
of 2nd and 3rd March.
Nexus – March 2013
Contributed by Heather Bishop
409 Palm Grove
Page 9
The Hippo & the Tortoise
A
baby hippopotamus that survived the tsunami
waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a
strong bond with a giant male century-old
tortoise in an animal facility in the port city
of Mombassa.
The
hippopotamus,
nicknamed Owen and weighing about 300 kilograms,
was swept down Sabaki River into the Indian Ocean,
then forced back to shore when tsunami waves struck
the Kenyan coast on December 26, before wildlife
rangers
rescued
him.
“It is incredible. A-less-than-a-year-old hippo has
adopted a male tortoise, about a century old, and the
tortoise seems to be very happy with being a
'mother',” said ecologist Paula Kahumbu, who is in
charge of Lafarge Park. “After it was swept away and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized. It had to
look for something to be a surrogate mother.
Fortunately, it landed on the tortoise and established a
strong bond. They swim, eat and sleep together,” the
ecologist informed. “The hippo follows the tortoise
exactly the way it followed its mother. If somebody
approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes
aggressive, as if protecting its biological mother. The
hippo is a young baby, he was left at a very tender age
and by nature, hippos are social animals that like to
stay with their mothers for four years," she adds.
This is a real story that shows that our differences
don't matter much when we need the comfort of
another. We could all learn a lesson from these two
creatures of God. Look beyond the differences and
find a way to walk the path together.
Flowers of Oasis
The picture I have sent is the Pelargonium.
It is part of the Geranium or “Malva” family
with aromatic leaves and colourful flowers.
It is easily cultivated from cuttings. There
are many varieties of Pelargonium with
different shaped leaves often variegated.
It is the parent plant of many hybrids.
Liz Porter
PS 110
Nexus – March 2013
Page 10
The Winter of Life
You know. . . Time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the
passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and
embarking on my new life with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons
ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all ... And I
have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. But, here
it is ... The winter of my life and it catches me by surprise!
How did I get here so fast? Where did the
years go and where did my youth go? I remember well ... Seeing older
people through the years and thinking that those older people were
years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not
fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.
But, here it is ... My friends are retired and getting grey. They move
slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some
worse shape than me. But, I see the great change. Not like the ones
that I remember who were young and vibrant. But, like me, their age is
beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.
Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day!
And taking a nap is not a treat anymore - it's mandatory! 'Cause if I don't on
my own free will, I just fall asleep where I sit!
And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared. For all the
aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I
wish I had done but never did.
But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it
will last, this I know - that when it's over... it’s over...
Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done, things I should have done,
but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.
So, if you're not in your winter yet. Let me remind you, that it will be here faster than
you think. Whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, please do it quickly!
Don't put things off too long! Life goes by
quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can
never be sure whether this is your winter or not. You have no promise
that you will see all the seasons of your life.
So, live for today and say all the things you want your loved ones to
remember. And hope they appreciate and love you for all the things you
have done for them in all the years past. Life is a gift to you. The way you
live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one!
Contributed by Joan Ross – 901 Palm Springs
Nexus – March 2013
Page 11
April Timetable
Sunday
Monday
1
3
8
9h00 Bus to
Canal Walk
10h00 Art
14h00 Bridge
17h30 Get –
together Palm
Springs
9
7h00 Aerobics
8h00 Aerobics
15h00
ENTERTAIN
MEETING
19h00 Movie
10
15
9h00 Bus to
Canal Walk
10h00 Art
14h00 Bridge
17h30 Gettogether Palm
Grove
16
7H00 Aerobics
8h00 Aerobics
17
22
9h00 Bus to
Canal Walk
10h00 Art
14h00 Bridge
17h30 Gettogether Palm
Springs
23
7h00 Aerobics
8h00 Aerobics
8H15
TOUR OF
AFRICAN
TOWNSHIP
WITH ROB
SMALL
19h00 Movie
29
9h00 Bus to
Canal Walk
10h00 Art
17h30 Gettogether Palm
Grove
30
7h00 Aerobics
8h00 Aerobics
HOLIDAY
17h00
Classic
Movies
14
12 noon
Formal
Sunday
Lunch
17h00 Opera
DVD
21
12 noon
Formal
Sunday
Lunch
17h00
Classic
Movies
28
12 noon
Formal
Sunday
Lunch
17h00 Opera
DVD
Wednesday
2
7H00 Aerobics
8h00 Aerobics
8h15 HORSE
& CARRAIGE
RIDE
19h00 Movie
PUBLIC
7
12 noon
Formal
Sunday
Lunch
Tuesday
10h00 Bible
Discussion
10h00 Bible
Discussion
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
4
7h00 Aerobics
8h00 Aerobics
5
9h00 Bus to
Canal Walk
6
19h30 Bridge
Club
14h00 Social &
Handcraft
Closed
11
7h00 Aerobics
8h00 Aerobics
12
9h00 Bus to
Canal Walk
13
14h00 Social &
Handcraft
Closed
19
9h00 Bus to
Canal Walk
20
14h00 Social &
Handcraft
Closed
26
9h00 Bus to
Canal Walk
27
Restaurant
Restaurant
19h30 Bridge
Club
10h00 Bible
Discussion
19h00 Movie
18
7h00 Aerobics
8h00 Aerobics
19h30 Bridge
Club
24
10h00 Bible
Discussion
12h30 BRAAI
25
7h00 Aerobics
8h00 Aerobics
10H00
ORIENTATION
TOUR OF
CENTURY CITY
19h30 Bridge
Club
14h00 Social &
Handcraft
Restaurant
Restaurant
Closed
19h00 Movie
PLEASE NOTE: The restaurant is always open to Residents, except on Saturdays, although the
timetable might show a private function.
Nexus – March 2013
Page 12