UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE

 Port Alfred

     News Letter  11 / 2009.

     4^th. December 2009

October 29^th.

Anthony Albers gave us sight of a fascinating business plan that will give new life to our struggling Lower Albany pineapple industry.

We were introduced to what will be a paradigm shift from the previous canning and juice products. The remaining growers will pioneer an industry that will range from juice extracts to textile fibres , particle boards, roofing material and enzymes to  the pharmaceutical companies. This plant centred in Bathurst will be unique in many respects as there will not be one single waste product and further more it will provide its own energy sources of electricity and steam. We will surely keep close to this enterprise in the future as it is a fascinating story.

November 26^th.

Dr Carol Baker ( Hofmeyer ) returned to give us an update following her address to our U 3 A meeting in May 2008.

Once again this talk really took hold of our emotions and truly brought home to us who have the privilege of good health and a standard of living compared to so many of our fellow South Africans who are not as fortunate. Dr Carol gave us a reminder of the effect of the HIV/ Aids pandemic and the pictures of extensive new graves in the Hamburg community were startling to say the least. The medical outreach of the Hamburg enterprise covers an extensive area of the Keiskamma and Fish Rivers inland to Double Drift with very limited Provincial and Central Government help.

Then there is also the bright side and the Hamburg Art Project must be the paramount example. As a consequence of the extraordinary work the women have done through their embroidery of items ranging from a 70 plus metre tapestry and huge altar cloths that have been exhibited across the USA and Canada, they have demonstrated that a positive attitude will overcome despair and misery.

Should any member of our U3A community aspire to be the author of a truly interesting story then The Hamburg Art Project must be opportunity. Meryl as the leader of our U3A in Port Alfred wishes to express her thanks once again for the most generous gifts of food, clothing and comforts presented to our Hamburg friends.

December 3^rd.

We had the pleasure of being addressed by Mr Anthony Parnell, the retired Rector of the Drakensburg Boys’ Choir School. Anthony gave us a fascinating story of this famous South African school which, despite the early days of family ‘feudin’, fightin’ and a-fussin’’, has become a national treasure of beautiful choral music both classic and indigenous. As Anthony demonstrated with his CD recordings, we can only agree with him that the most beautiful music is that of an unbroken voice of a boy soprano.

What was also most interesting is that discipline in the school is administered by the boys themselves through that strange concept known as respect for themselves, for others and for their school and all that it stands for. They will certainly make great South Africans

January 28^th.

This is the date for our first meeting in the New Year when Mr Ishwar Khoosal, a PHYTOtherapist will tell us how plant medication can combat those things that affect us senior citizens such as arthritis, Alzheimers and diabetes etc. The ‘ Medicine plant ‘ gardens at Kirstenbosch gives an idea of the scope of this subject.

- O -

This is the final letter of 2009 – so we of the Committee wish you all a Most Happy Festive Season and all the Very Best for 2010 !!!

Regards,

Jim