Monday 27 August 2012

August 2012 Edition.

SPRINGBOK CYBER NEWSLETTER

August 2012 edition

With the London 2012 Olympic Games now completed, we can look back upon a most successful, historic and energizing experience which will undoubtedly live in all our memories for ever.

All the dire predictions of the “doom-mongering” and “moaning minnie” brigades were of course proved false – indeed utterly ridiculous. There were no log-jams of traffic in London as they predicted, there were no unfinished and over-budget facilities, there were no lengthy queues and security problems – and there was certainly no lack of interest among the people of the host nation! The liberal/Left has therefore been totally discredited for all their anti-Olympic paranoia – but is it really surprising that they adopted such a kill-joy stance in view of their mindset? For the egalitarian Left, after all, the Olympic ethos of elitism is anathema to their “prizes for all” mentality, and for internationalists the Olympic spirit of nations competing against nations is the antithesis of their “one-world” pipe-dream.

For patriotic forces in Britain – and indeed for the British diaspora around the globe – the triumph of the London 2012 Olympics has been an unambiguous success story. Not only has patriotic sentiment sky-rocketed as a result of the national glory which hosting this greatest global spectacular so successfully entails (not withstanding the fantastic victories of so many British competitors!), but it has also generated an increased feel-good factor and greater sense of national bon-homie. We have surely witnessed a great nation being re-born! This is something which the patriotic movement in the UK can – AND MUST – capitalize upon!

To be sure, there were alas a few unsavoury aspects surrounding the Games. Certain aspects of both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies clearly went against the Olympic spirit. Although much of the Opening Ceremony was excellent, other parts, such as the section about the NHS, were plain silly – and most reprehensively those selected to carry the Olympic flag into the stadium were both a disgrace and an insult. The fact that the Olympic tradition of one single flame-lighter was jettisoned was also a huge disappointment. The Swinton Circle, of course, had advocated that this honour be given to Dr. Roger Bannister. The Closing Ceremony, although overall a most entertaining effort, was also ruined considerably by the inclusion of the atheist anthem “Imagine”, the lyrics of which not only run counter to the Olympic ethos of national competitiveness, but which also must have upset members of all religions from countries around the world.

The inclusion of so many “plastic Brits” in Team GB (although somewhat lower than at one time feared) was also a matter of great concern. Most prominent among these, of course, was “Mo” Farah. Now “Mo” Farah seems a very affable and likeable person, and has proved himself to be a worthy champion whose achievements must be honoured - but the fact remains that he was born and brought-up in Somalia, and now lives and trains in the United States. The sentiments expressed by South African-born Northampton hooker Brett Sharman in this regard, although perhaps unfortunately crudely phrased, clearly reflect the opinions voiced in bars and living rooms across the country. Furthermore, Somalia is an impoverished country, so by allowing him to compete in a GB vest this deprived Somalia of some much-needed morale-boosting Olympic glory. This surely is immoral. The fact remains, however, that even if the medals won by “plastic Brits” are ignored Britain would still rank third in the 2012 Medals Table.

Let us not dwell on these minor criticisms of London 2012 however, but rather concentrate on the far, far greater positive outcomes. The Games produced an upsurge of national pride and glory, an increase in personal joy and euphoria throughout the population, and a legacy and sporting infrastructure which will benefit the nation for decades ahead. For this Lord Coe and the rest of his LOCOG team deserve the highest of accolades! Let the triumphs of Wiggins, Ainsley, Murray, Grainger, Copeland, Hoy, Trott, Wilson, Rutherford, Brownlee, Campbell and McKeever, etc., etc., etc. inspire us all – and the Paralympics are yet still to come!

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SPRINGBOK CLUB OLYMPIC ACTIVITIES

Needless to say, many members and supporters of the Springbok Club attended several of the events at the London 2012 Olympics, with those unlucky enough not to obtain tickets for any paying events managing to watch some of the many “free” events by the roadside. Perhaps the most successful of these was the Springbok Club party which watched the Women’s Marathon from the Victoria Embankment. Unfortunately the massive crowds made a good viewing of this event almost impossible – but the enthusiastic atmosphere proved something not to be missed, as also was the convivial gathering in a near-by pub afterwards, where all were able to watch Andy Murray’s fantastic victory in the Men’s Singles Lawn Tennis final on the TV screen during the afternoon!

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FUTURE SPRINGBOK CLUB EVENTS

Alas the planned re-launch of the Hampshire Branch of the Springbok Club has had to be postponed slightly, as leading Hampshire member Peter Fisher unfortunately has to enter hospital for a non-critical operation shortly. Hopefully the re-launch will therefore be staged in early 2013 – unless any other supporter from the county would like to take the lead?

In its place the Springbok Club will be organizing its planned trip to see the newly restored Cutty Sark at Greenwich one month earlier than anticipated, during late September. As well as being able to see the restored Cutty Sark this trip will also give all those attending the opportunity to see near-by Greenwich Park where the Olympic Equestrianism events of course took place, before finishing the day at one of the famous Greenwich riverside pubs. More precise details about this trip will of course be appearing in September’s SCN.

The Springbok Club has been invited to join a three-day Trafalgar Day celebration being staged by New Britain over the weekend of 20th/22nd October. This is planned to consist of a trip to Chatham Dockyard (where HMS Victory was of course built) on Saturday 20th October, a musical extravaganza at St.Sepulchre’s Church in the City of London on Sunday 21st October, and participation in a wreath-laying at Viscount Nelson’s grave in St.Paul’s Cathedral on Monday 22nd October. The Springbok Club certainly plans to participate on the Saturday and Monday, and again more precise details about these events will be given in next month’s edition of the SCN.

In November the Springbok Club will be staging its annual UDI Day dinner, at which it is hoped that a prominent ex-Rhodesian will be guest speaker.

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SWINTON CIRCLE NEWS

Following a two-month break for the Olympics and Paralympics, the Swinton Circle will be resuming regular activities in late September when it is anticipated that the organisation will be addressed by a prominent former Conservative MP. Another famous former Conservative MP will be the organisation’s guest speaker in October, and full details about both these events will be appearing in next month’s SCN.

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Membership fees and donations to the Swinton Circle can now be made via PayPal by accessing the organisation's web-site at: www.swintoncircle.co.uk  [Simply 'click' on the line "PayPal = The safer, easier way to pay online" at the bottom of the site's Home Page. If the error message "This content cannot be displayed in a frame" then appears simply 'click' on the line "Open this content in a new window".]

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The Swinton Circle also now has a presence on Twitter, on which news about the organisation and policy statements are periodically posted. This can be found on Twitter@SwintonCircle.

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NEW BRITAIN NEWS

As reported above, New Britain will be celebrating Trafalgar Day this year with a special three-day itineray of events over the weekend of 20th/22nd October. More precise details will follow.

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PARALYMPIC FEVER

The London 2012 Paralympic Games will soon be upon us, and although neither the Springbok Club nor the Swinton Circle are organizing any specific trips to see any of its competitions, if any readers are planning to watch any of the “free” events then please let us know, and maybe we can arrange an informal get-together.

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LATEST REPORT FROM THE I.F.A.W.

We have recently received the following disturbing report from Fred O’Regan, the C.E.O. of the International Fund for Animal Welfare :-

“We're sickened by a recent attack on elephants, and I'm writing you with this urgent plea to help them.
”IFAW staff have just returned from Bouba Ndjida National Park in Cameroon where we witnessed the aftermath of a horrifying slaughter of these majestic animals.

”To date more than 300 elephant carcasses have been found and poachers have claimed a total of 650. That's almost half the Park's total population of these beautiful creatures slaughtered - in just a couple of months!

”Entire elephant families – in Cameroon and in other countries - are being wiped out by assault rifles, stabbed with poison spears, even electrocuted with hidden cables!

We need to train and equip rangers to protect our majestic elephant friends.

We need to end the illegal trade in elephant ivory by continuing our groundbreaking law enforcement work with INTERPOL and our critical training of customs officials.

We need to protect vital elephant habitat and care for the animals wherever they live.

We need YOU - You can help stop the elephant massacre.

”Ivory poachers will stop at nothing to get their hands on ivory - and these killers are using a sickening new method: They trap a baby elephant and wait for its mother to come to rescue it. When the mother arrives, they spray her with bullets and kill her in cold blood.

Elephants are so much like us. Females in particular are very family-oriented and social. They care so deeply for their young they will risk their own lives to protect them. And they grieve for their lost loved ones, often standing vigil over their bones for days on end and even ‘burying’ them with brush and dirt.

There's no denying - they need and deserve our protection. And they had it – for a short time. The trade in ivory was banned in 1989. Demand dropped and poaching plummeted.

”But some governments got greedy. They wanted to sell their huge stockpiles of ivory in so-called ‘one-off’ ivory sell-offs. The ‘one-off’ sale of 1999 was followed by a second in 2008...and the message was clear for the poachers: since governments will eventually sell the ivory, let's kill elephants, collect their tusks, and slip our illegal ivory into the legal market.

Elephants are dying every day because of this illegal trade, and they need your help now.

Please give now to stop the elephant massacre. Together we can make a better tomorrow for elephants and all animals.

”Thank you,

“P.S. We have made such progress through the years in our fight to save elephants from ruthless poachers. But the poachers are now stepping up their attacks. Please help us protect elephants and make a better world for all animals.

The IFAW can be contacted to make a donation to this worthy cause at :-

http://www.ifaw.org/united-kingdom/

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SAD NEWS CONCERNING THE BRITISH EMPIRE & COMMONWEALTH MUSEUM

We have recently heard the sad news that the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum in Bristol has been forced to close. Evidently it was being forced to leave its existing location at the entrance to Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station because the site was required by the railway authorities for platform and workshop extensions, and a planned re-location to London did not prove financially viable in the present economic climate. Its collection of materials are evidently being distributed to other Bristol museums and archives.

The Springbok Club organised trips to the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum twice in the past, and although it contained a number of regretable oncessions to “political correctness” (which were observed particularly during the second visit) it was even so on the whole a very praise-worthy and objective presentation of the glorious history of the British Empire.

We hope of course that somehow this institution can be re-born in the future, hopefully without any concessions to “political correctness”. The Springbok Club is of course willing to become actively involved in any restoration initiative, but undoubtedly a benefactor or benefactors able to make substantial financial contributions will be needed – and we are looking here at BIG money.

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CAN YOU HELP?

A year or so ago we made friendly contact with those behind the web-site of the “Afrikaner Broadcasting Corporation”. Sadly recent copies of SCNs sent to this organisation’s last known e-mail address, afrikanerbroadcast@gmail.com, have been returned to us as it is evidently no longer recognized, and its web-site doesn’t appear to have been updated for some time. Does anybody know what has happened to the organization therefore, and how they can now be contacted?

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ANSWER REQUIRED FROM UKIP LEADERSHIP

A contact has recently alerted us to the bizarre – indeed almost unbelievable – claim that certain leading UKIP officials not only opposed London’s bid to stage the 2012 Olympic Games, but even travelled to Paris in order to give their active support to the rival French bid!

UKIP, of course, prides itself on being the most patriotic British political party, which firmly opposes EU entrapment and Franco-German hegemony. For leaders of this party to side with a bid against their own country’s interests is therefore not only hypocritical – it seems almost treasonable!

We know that current UKIP leader Nigel Farage has spoken glowingly about the achievements of Team GB competitors at the 2012 Olympics, so we therefore call upon him either to confirm or to deny this bizarre claim – and if there is any truth in it to state what action the party has taken against the hypocrites involved. If it is true and no action has been taken to remove them then we are afraid that UKIP will forfeit all credibility!

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SEARCH SERVICES FOR THOSE SEEKING LOST RELATIVES

Find any South African, even those who have emigrated. We also search Botswana, Namibia and ex-Rhodesia/Zimbabwe.

http://www.bellemodel.biz/emails/emails.html

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MAKE YOUR OWN BILTONG AT THE FRACTION OF THE COST ....

Biltongmakers.Com has, for over 10 years, put a smile on many a South African face. No longer do they have to pay exorbitant prices for biltong that in most cases is not even to their liking!

Now you can make your own Biltong at a fraction of the price you pay right now and .... you can make it the way YOU like it!

Please visit www.biltongmakers.com and see all they have available.

You will never be without some REAL South African Biltong again!

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FLAGS etc.

The Springbok Club/ELC now retails Union Flag lapel badges and key-rings, price £2.00 each (plus 20% p&p).

Payments should be made to "The Springbok Club" and sent to: BM SAPAT, London WC1N 3XX, UK., or via PayPal on the Springbok Club's web-site at www.springbokclub.org.uk.

Copies of S.A.Patriot-in-Exile (editions 30 to 36) are still available price R5.00 or 50p each, as well as batches of 50 copies (including copies of the original S.A.Patriot) price R80.00 or £8.00 (plus 20% for p&p.)

Payments should be made to "Patriotic Press" and sent to: BM SAPAT, London WC1N 3XX, UK.

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BOOK OFFERS

"A POT OF SOUP" by Susan Gordon

This book is ready to order. Included is an A to W on soup and accompaniments. Alongside the recipe guidelines are photographs, illustrations, health tips, plus snippets on the past and London. It is ideally suited for the life styles of students, new cooks, seasoned cooks, those whose time is of the essence, those who do relish time spent in the kitchen and those tending towards a vegetarian diet. There is space to fill in with personal ideas and variations. Please spread the news that this colourful book on enjoyable winter food is now available.

To order please contact Susan direct at sgordon@morpheus.freeserve.co.uk to arrange collection or delivery at £12.00 a copy, or forward a cheque for £14.35 made payable to S.Gordon at: 106 Bittacy Rise, Mill Hill, London, NW7 2HL, UK. Alternatively copies may be obtained via authorhouse.co.uk (click "bookstore", type "Susan Gordon" in the top box then click "search" and the book appears - no need to register) price with postage is £13.32, or via amazon.co.uk (new releases) type "A Pot of Soup by Susan Gordon".

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"REDNECK P.I." a romantic suspense novel by Trish Jackson.

"Twila's a redneck and proud of it. Harland's a P.I. with a target on his back and a twin brother. An explosive situation!"

Available at www.uncialpress.com in electronic format, and from Amazon.com in print and electronic format.

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"LIEUTENANT COLONEL ALFRED JAMES TOMLINSON: MEMOIRS OF AN AFRICAN PIONEER AND BSAP OFFICER" is now available at Amazon.com, and can be shipped to anywhere in the world. This book contains excerpts from Lieut. Tomlinson's writings detailing his experiences as a member of the B.S.A. Police in Southern Rhodesia, where he rose from the rank of an ordinary trooper to retire as the commanding officer. It also includes the personal story of Majaqaba Ncube, a man who was enslaved by Lobengula when his entire village was massacred by the chief's soldiers. After he escaped, Lieut. Tomlinson saved him from certain death and gave him a job. They lost contact and were reunited after 45 years, when Majaqaba presented Lieut. Tomlinson with an earthenware jar.

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"P.K. VAN DER BYL - AFRICAN STATESMAN" by Hannes Wessels

ISBN: 978-1-920143-49-7 / paperback / illustrated
Retail price: R250.00, Web-site price: R200.00 + postage

The narrative gives the reader an overview of the history of the White man in southern Africa with detailed emphasis on the Rhodesian story through the life and times of PK van der Byl, one of the major players in a political drama that ended in the accession to power of Robert Mugabe under the auspices of the British government. By his very nature PK was controversial and confrontational. This account is likely to give offence to some because it portrays him as bluntly as he was in real life. Much can be contested about PK van der Byl but few will dispute he was an extremely colourful character with a devilish sense of humour. This memoir covers his life with a full flourish while doing nothing to detract from the seriousness of the international political and military conflict in which he was engaged. The reader will glean new information on a highly controversial subject and emerge with a more sympathetic understanding of what PK van der Byl and his colleagues did and strove for. The human tragedy that has followed the removal from power of Ian Smith and his Rhodesian Front party will almost certainly force the reader to deal with some uncomfortable conclusions, of value to anyone sincere about grappling with the volatile and deeply troubling challenges that confront all Africans today.

This book and others of interest can be purchased from 30 Degrees South via their web-site: www.30degreessouth.co.za

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"BLUE WATCH" by Gwyn Fford-Osborne

Rhodesia, in 1975 and a bloody vicious civil war is at its height. A war between the White minority supported by the Black majority and the ZAPU and ZANU terrorist groups, supported by Zambia and Mozambique. Kensington, a small town in the farming belt has been the subject of several terrorist attacks but with only a small police force for defence, the local T.A. unit having been called up for service on the Zambia border the situation appears grim. Until Iffor Meredith turns up on a pilgrimage to meet up with his wife and son of his old army buddy, recently murdered by terrorists. A deadly ambush on the "Dix" family and his escape from a land mine attack makes Iffor determined to offer resistance of some form or other to the terrorists. His application to join the Rhodesian Army has been accepted and he sets about forming a small militia. With all the fit men already on call up, who can he recruit from. Then he's invited to a darts match at the Moth Club and meets up with the remnants of the town's Fire Brigade, the men considered too old for call up. Blue Watch.

Available from: www.diadembooks.com

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"THE SEVEN WATCHMEN" by David Ruppert

A new fascinating novel titled "The Seven Watchmen" by David Ruppert should appeal to South Africans and ex-Rhodesians. It can be ordered from Crest Publishing in South Africa at www.crestpublishing.co.za - or those abroad can buy it directly from David at rupedf72@comcast.net. It's also available on www.Amazon.com

Glenn MacAskill and Michael Bowery of Crest Publishing have also written three books each. Glenn MacAskill is ex-BSAP Special Branch and still working (as Mugabe has denied him any pension) and Michael Bowery is ex-South African Special Forces. Due to the difficulties confronting White writers in the "new" South Africa they launched Crest Publishing to self-publish their own books, and have been doing this since October 2006. Michael Bowery is author of: "Canham's Run", "The Sligo Piper" and "Kill the President", whilst Glenn MacAskill is author of: "King's Gold", "Crime Lords" and "Of Royal Blood". Special discounts to ex-servicemen, Rhodies and Springboks!

For more information, or to make an order, please contact Crest Publishing at: P.O.Box, 97910, Petervale, Transvaal, 2151, South Africa, e-mail: crestbooks@mweb.co.za, or visit the Crest Publishing web-site at: www.crestpublishing.co.za

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"THE SAINTS" - DVD versions of the book about the history of the RLI

Now available from Msasa Enterprises. Contact: msasasa@iafrica.com or UK tel.: 07732 685400.

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?

No.165:  SHANNON-LEIGH of Durban.

Shannon-Leigh (her name may have been spelt Shannon-Lee) was a breath-taking beauty who lived in Broad Street, Durban, with her mother, and regularly frequented live music and dance sessions at the near-by St.George’s Hotel during the mid-1980s. She used a variety of surnames (her parents divorced and her mother re-married), but alas none of them can now be recalled. As well as dance-music she was also very keen on early South African history, and kept a pet rat in her mother’s flat. Unfortunately she suffered from a severe ear infection, which led to an intricate operation around 1984. The last we heard about her she was about to marry and move to the Woodhaven district of Durban. A number of old friends would be very keen to learn what became of her.

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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH

With the London 2012 Paralympics shortly about to begin, we believe that many readers would be very keen to have a look at its official web-site, which can be accessed at :-

http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

RIGHT PRAISE

Sir,

Your essay “Why we got it wrong about the Afrikaners” is undoubtedly the best analysis of what went wrong in South Africa which I have ever read. It should be read by everyone who wants to know the underlying reasons behind our country’s fall.

My only question is why you originally wrote this under a nom de plume? You must be a very modest man! If I wrote anything as masterful as that I would be shouting it from the rooftops!

Mr. Lindon Litchfield from Australia deserves much praise for placing it on the web. It merits far greater circulation.

Yours etc.,

Hugo van der Westhuizen, Pretoria, South Africa

[Once again, the article in question can be found at :-

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HANCOCK’S HALF BLOOD

Sir,

Very interested by your reference to the death of Anthony “Tony” Hancock in July’s SCN.

I did some business with the man some years ago. Initially we got on well: he was a very friendly person with a sharp sense of humour and great love for his native Sussex (many of the county’s traditions he imparted to me). He also did very professional printing work for my company.

After a while I discovered a dark secret about Mr. Hancock though. He was not only a Holocaust Denier, but even more shockingly an open anti-Semite. When I saw a poster on his wall saying “Long Live Saddam Hussein” (this was the time of the 1st Gulf War) I naturally took my trade elsewhere.

From what I know Mr. Hancock’s father was British (also from Sussex I believe) but his mother was German. It would be too simplistic to suggest that all the good in him came from his father but all the bad came from his mother, but it does seem to provide yet more evidence of the tragic problems which often result from cross-cultural marriages.

Yours etc.,

“Cromwell”, Devon, U.K.

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LESSON OF HISTORY

Sir,

As a history graduate and enthusiastic history student, I believe that compulsory history in schools should involve only British history in strict chronological order. I am a "kings and battles" man and proud of it - not only do I believe in the Great Man theory of history, but they are more interesting than Municipal Corporations Acts.

Children should learn about our great leaders - Caractacus, Boadicea, Alfred, Henry II, Edward I, Edward III, Henry V, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and the merchant venturers, Marlborough, Clive, Wolfe, Nelson, Wellington, Palmerston, Disraeli, Rhodes, Churchill - and other great men like Newton, Brunel, Shakespeare, and Fleming. We have more to be proud of than any other nation and should make sure that our children know about our great man - infinitely more inspiring, whatever the nitpickers of Political Correctness say, than our depressing present.

Yours etc.,

M. Taylor, London, U.K..

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See you again next month!