SPRINGBOK CYBER NEWSLETTER
October 2001 editionEvents of September 11th 2001 were of course the most shocking examples of international terrorist atrocities in history. Our hearts and sympathies go out to all the friends and relatives of the thousands of innocent victims in the United States that day.
Those of us with connections to Southern Africa are not unfamiliar with terrorist atrocities however. Who can forget the shooting down of the two Air Rhodesia Viscounts by the ZIPRA terrorist scum in 1979, or the equally evil massacres at Elim Mission [inter alia] by their ZANLA counterparts - Robert Mugabe's personal bunch of thugs. In South-West Africa SWAPO waged a similar terrorist campaign for decades, butchering innocent Blacks and Whites alike, and in South Africa itself Mandela's ANC terrorists waged a horrific campaign of atrocities against innocent civilians, including the bomb attacks at Church Street, Amanzimtoti and Magoo's Bar (where one of this writer's personal friends was severely injured). Only the magnitude and efficiency of bin Laden's recent terrorist outrages have been different.
But neither has the scourge of international terrorism been the sole preserve of demonic non-Whites like bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. Some of the worst atrocities in recent years have been the work of the various factions of the despicable IRA (and of course the international links between the IRA, PLO, SWAPO and ANC terrorists are well documented). Again the only difference between the Enniskillen, Shankill Road and Omagh outrages and those at the WTC and the Pentagon has been the extent.
Of course the immediate cause for bin Laden's confidence and contempt was undoubtedly the fact that the job wasn't finished in 1991. If the Western forces had followed up their victory in the Gulf War by overthrowing the evil regime of Saddam Hussein (as all genuine patriotic organisations in the West advocated) then other Islamic militants may have thought twice before engaging in such horrendous attacks against the heart of Western civilisation. But it goes further than that. For the past few decades Western governments have been prepared to appease - and worse - the terrorist leaders who were the forerunners of Osama Bin Laden. Terrorist godfathers such as Mugabe and Mandela have been treated like "statesmen" by certain quarters in the West (though happily most now belatedly seem to accept the true evil nature of the former of these bandits), but most obscenely of all the so-called Good Friday Agreement allowed leaders of he IRA vermin to partake in the government of Northern Ireland. Terrorism has been rewarded, so is it any wonder therefore if the likes of bin Laden draw the obvious conclusions?
A terrorist is a terrorist is a terrorist. The colour of their skin doesn't matter - it is only their evil mindset that counts. Bin Laden, Hussein, Mugabe, Mandela, Adams and McGuinness, at heart they're all the same. International terrorism is like a cancer, and like a cancer the only way to eliminate it is to cut it out. Ruthlessly.
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SPRINGBOK CLUB LINCOLNSHIRE WEEKEND
The Springbok Club's recent "Lincolnshire weekend" proved a very happy and pleasant event, though alas the numbers who attended were not quite as high as were expected and hoped.
Undoubtedly a mistake was made by not arranging a hard-and-fast time for all our friends in the area to congregate, and as a result some supporters came only on the Friday evening, others during the Saturday afternoon, and others on the Saturday evening. Consequently there was never a very big attendance at any one time, so we were not able to form a Lincolnshire Branch of the SC on this occasion as originally hoped. We have learnt by our mistake however, and will organise things differently in future.
The highspot of the weekend was probably a trip which was made by those supporters who had travelled up from the South-East to Lincoln Cathedral. As well as seeing the famous "Lincoln Imp", the Airmen's Chapel was also visited, which contains two specific memorials to the Royal Rhodesian Air Force. One was a memorial seat, resplendent with a [Southern] Rhodesian coat-of-arms and the inscription "In proud and loving memory of our boys from Southern Rhodesia", and the other was a stained-glass window which featured the Royal Rhodesian Air Force badge and the intriging inscription "In memory of a Rhodesia Airman" (note singular). Does anyone know the identity of this airman commemorated we wonder?
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OCTOBER SPRINGBOK CLUB MEETING
We are very honoured to be able to announce that the guest speaker at the October SC meeting will be Jill Baker, who will be visiting the UK at the time in order to promote her newly-published biography of her father (an early Rhodesian colonial pioneer and educationist) entitled "Beloved African". Jill joined the RBC in the late 1960s, and worked firstly in the record library before moving to a presentation role. She presented "Music for the Morning" and other classical music radio programmes before transferring to television, where she became an anchor newsreader and presented many current affairs and culturally-orientated shows. She moved to Adelaide, Australia, in 1983 where she worked first as a director of Radio 5UV, before founding her own company specialising in tourism and conference management.
Details of this forthcoming SC meeting are as follows :-
Date : Friday 26th October 2001
Time : 19.15 hrs for 19.45 hrs.
Venue : The MORPETH ARMS (in the upstairs function room), 58 Millbank, Westminster, London SW1. (close to the Tate Gallery and Vauxhall Bridge, nearest underground station: Pimlico).
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UDI DAY DINNER
The Springbok Club's UDI Day Dinner this year will be held in a well-known Whitehall Club not far from Embankment Underground Station. It will take place on the evening of Thursday 8th November, with the dinner itself commencing at 19.30 hrs (though we will undoubtedly start to congregate about an hour earlier in order to give everyone the chance to socialise and to get to know each other.)
We are most pleased to be able to announce that our Guest of Honour will be none other than Andrew Roberts, the highly-acclaimed historian. Andrew Roberts is 38, and gained a first in Modern History at Gonville and Caius Colleges Cambridge. Amongst his most famous books are "The Holy Fox" (the biography of Lord Halifax), "Eminent Churchillians", "The Aachen Memorandum" (a EuroSceptic thriller) and "Salisbury, Victorian Titan". He takes a particular interest in British Imperial history, and has a special affinity to Rhodesia.
This dinner will consist of a three-course meal, and tickets are priced at only 20 guineas (£21.00) per head. As we anticipate big interest in this event we would ask everyone who is keen to attend to make their bookings as soon as possible. All payments should be made payable to "Patriotic Press" and sent to: The Springbok Club, BCM SAPAT, London WC1N 3XX, U.K..
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JOHANNESBURG UDI DAY REUNION 2001
The Johannesburg Rhodie Reunion 2001 will take place at the Johannesburg Social Club on Saturday 10th November. For more details please contact Rodger Graeme at: rglink2@mweb.co.za
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SPRINGBOK CLUB BRANCH NEWS
Springbok Club Branch Development Officer Bill Morgan reports several pieces of good news concerning the growth of the Springbok Club around the world. The "South Africans Staying Alive" organisation based in the south of Spain has decided to affiliate to us, and this we believe will be the first of several independent expatriate South African organisations affiliating in this way, as we have also recently made good contact with similar groups both in the UK and in Canada. It is almost certain that a Dorset Branch of the SC will be founded early next year, and we are hopeful about the establishment of a Sussex Branch shortly also.
SC Australian Co-ordinator Adrian Alexander reports very good responses to the recent circular e-mail which he sent to all Australian supporters. It appears therefore that state representatives will shortly be appointed in several areas (Nick Maine has already been appointed Queensland Representative), and that state/national activities will therefore start to commence before too long.
Rob Burnett is organising the establishment of a "Springbok Club Wildlife Society" for all those who are concerned about the threat to wildlife in the African continent under current circumstances. All those who are interested in becoming involved should contact Rob direct at: glennlovell@tinyworld.co.uk
The next meeting of the Hampshire Branch of the SC will take place at "The Dove" public house, Micheldever Station (situated on the A303 between Winchester and Basingstoke, next door to the railway station) on Saturday 20th October, commencing at about 16.00 hrs. Springbok Club Chairman Peter Fisher will be present, and will give everyone present an update on the present situation in Southern Africa, and about the progress of the Springbok Club.
Tony Waller has arranged for the next Kent Branch SC function to take the form of an informal gathering at the "Saxon Shore" Wetherspoon's pub in Herne Bay (on the beachfront, opposite the clock tower) on Sunday 21st October, from about 17.00 hrs onwards (look out for the Springbok rugby jersey to meet up!)
Dave Williams reports that the next Chilterns Branch SC function will take place during November.
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BONFIRE FESTIVITIES 2001
As usual, there will be an unofficial trip of SC supporters to Lewes for the November 5th Bonfire celebrations this year. For more details about rendezvous arrangements etc email: springbok@falklands.org
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MDC SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN DEMONSTRATIONS
The latest MDC Solidarity Campaign protest demonstration outside the Zimbabwe High Commission was again a pretty good success, with well over a hundred people turning up. A short service of remembrance was conducted for all those who died during the recent terrorist attacks in the United States and on Zimbabwe farms, which was conducted by a clergywoman from St.Martin's-in-the-Field, and which included the playing of the Last Post. One very noteworthy poster on display said "What is the connection between Mugabe and Osama bin Laden - Col. Gaddaffi?"
The next MDC Solidarity Campaign demonstration will be staged on Saturday 17th November 2001, again outside the Zimbabwe High Commission, 429 Strand Street, London WC2 (nearest tube stations: Charing Cross and Embankment) and commencing at 12.00 hrs, and it is hoped will be followed by a protest march to Downing Street.
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AFRIKAANS STORY CD's
If you would like to keep the Afrikaans language alive in your home, Elliott Enterprises Inc. has acquired distribution rights for Afrikaans story CD's which are exceptionally good quality and very well done. Some titles: Die Dankbare Diere, Kasagsoek die weeskind, Wolf steel eende, Wilhelm Tell, Jakkals tiervreter. Great listening for children and adults. For more information, e-mail Robin Elliott at : -
robin@dollarmakers.com
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CAN YOU HELP?
Is anyone planning to visit Jo'burg in the next two months? If so please contact Peter Watson on a personal matter. Thanks. E-mail: Peter@pwwatson.demon.co.uk or phone: 01258-471234.
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HOME BILTONG MAKERS
The "Biltong Team" have developed and are manufacturing a Home Biltong Maker. It is a wonderous piece of equipment that allows you to make your own fresh biltong in the comfort of your own home. It's easy to use (available in both 110 and 220 volt models), economical, and pays for itself in a couple of batches of biltong. The Home Biltong Maker has been received with much enthusiasm by ex-South Africans around the world in such countries as the UK, the USA, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand.
To find out more information visit the Home Biltong Maker web-site at:-
http://www.biltongmakers.com
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BOOK OFFERS
COVOS BOOKS of South Africa are specialist publishers of Africana, and offer a wide range of most interesting and illuminating books which will appeal to many of our supporters. Amongst the new titles which they stock are:-
WE FEAR NAUGHT BUT GOD by Paul Els
The story of the South African Special Forces ("The Recces"), from inception in the 1960s to disbandment in 1993. A unique account of one of South Africa's premier units, masters in the art of reconnaissance and clandestine warfare. Pro rata, the most decorated unit during the wars in Angola and SWA. Includes a free copy of Lourens Fourie's music CD "The Recces". Softback, 222x152mm, 328 pages, 252 b/w photographs plus maps. R140.00.
MAFEKING! by Malcolm Flower-Smith and Edmund Yorke
Psychologically affected by the fact that it was from Mafeking that the Jameson Raid was launched, the Boers determined to regain this key town. The exceptional military leadership, indomitable spirit and personal charisma of Col. Baden-Powell made him the ideal officer for the British defence - the source of inspiration for the defenders of Mafeking during the epic 7 month seize. By March 1900, the garrison was famished; death and destruction had become daily fare. When, in May, Mafeking was finally relieved, the British nation was swept by a wave of patriotic hysteria, unequalled since. Softback, 222x152mm, 214 pages, 50 b/w illustrations. R100.00.
COVOS BOOKS can be contacted at : P.O.Box 6996, Weltevredenpark, Transvaal, 1715, South Africa. Tel.: +2711-4769926, fax.: +2711-4769927, e-mail : covos@global.co.za
We are happy to be able to confirm that the Springbok Club can now supply copies of "We Fear Naught but God", price £15.00, and "Mafeking!", price £10.00. All payments should be made payable to "Patriotic Press", and sent to: BCM SAPAT, London WC1N 3XX, UK. (Please add 20% for p.& p.).
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
No.36 : Mr. Pete Smith of Queensburgh.
Pete Smith (in spite of the spelling he is an Afrikaner) was a stalwart of both the Conservative Party and the Patriotic Forum in south Natal during the late 1980s. He worked for the Post Office at their Commercial Road headquarters in Durban, and lived in the Escombe district of Queensburgh. We have written to him several times during recent years, but unfortunately none of these letters have either been answered or returned, so we are therefore becoming very worried about his safety. His last known telephone number was 031-444558, so if anybody could inform us of his current whereabouts we would be most grateful.
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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH
The "Censorbugbear" web-site, or "South Africa Uncensored" as it is sub-titled, is an excellent service full of reports and statistics concerning the current situation in the "new" South Africa. Run by the experienced journalist Adriana Stuijt who is now based in the Netherlands, it contains constantly updated news articles and other items of tremendous help to those either researching or wishing to check precise facts about the deteriorating situation in today's chaotic South Africa (for example there is a running total of those killed by terrorists on South African farms since the ANC came to power - 1,209 at the time of writing). Highly recommended, this site can be accessed at:-
http://www.censorbugbear.com
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OBITUARY
DAVID THORN
David Thorn, who died at the tragically early age of 55 earlier this year, was a Springbok Club supporter from Essex who had only recently become involved with the movement, though alas his health problems prevented him from being as active as he would have liked.
Although a British citizen (of Cornish ancestry - the Cornish flag was drapped across his coffin at his funeral) his spirit of adventure persuaded him to move to Southern Africa, and whilst there he volunteered to fight for UNITA against the Marxist MPLA forces. Upon his return to the UK he maintained his interest in the sub-continent however, and joined us on our visit to the Rhodes Museum last year, where he expressed eagerness to form an Essex Branch of the organisation.
Divorced, he leaves a daughter, to whom our sincere sympathies are extended. We hope also that somebody will be able to take up the challenge to fulfill David's ambition of establishing an Essex Branch of the Springbok Club before too long.
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ROGUES GALLERY
A few weeks ago we were plagued by a character called Hilton Myers who sent us a series of ignorant and foul-worded e-mails. We are uncertain whether he is Coloured or a degenerate White (he used a South African e-mail address), or indeed whether this is his real name. Does anybody know anything further about this pea-brain we wonder? In any case he joins our list of anti-South African trouble-makers who we will remember.
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THE CURSE OF SPRINGBOK
There was no wreath from the Springbok Club at the funeral of Donald Woods, who died last month at a relatively early age. Woods had been editor of the East London "Daily Dispatch" during the 1970s when he formed a sinister relationship with the subsequently proven terrorist Steve Biko. In escaping from justice Woods told a number of "porkies", including claiming that he had swum across a raging river which at the time turned out to be little more than a dried-up stream! In spite of having been a keen advocate of the installation of a terrorist government in South Africa Woods lived the last years of his life, and died, in - eh - Surrey.
Many readers will also recall the name of the wretched Mark Cotterill. Although he had practically no connection to Southern Africa (and indeed seemed totally ignorant of South African affairs) Cotterill latched himself onto the White Rhino Club (one of the component forerunners of the Springbok Club) when it was re-launched in the UK in the early 1990s. We were warned from two independent sources to be wary of Cotterill because of his immature behaviour however, and sure enough we suffered severely from him during a trip to north Devon in July 1993, when he almost single-handedly sabotaged the whole event purely because of a childish grudge.
After this we learnt of other similar vendetta campaigns which he had conducted in patriotic and anti-Euro-Federalist organisations in Devon, and allegations were also made that he had misappropriated funds. A couple of years later he was badly beaten up during a fight in his own flat, and subsequently fled to the United States, where by all accounts he latched himself onto several weird and wonderful organisations, before they all inevitably became victims of his infantile vindictiveness.
We thought we had heard the last of this wretched creature, but an article in the London "Evening Standard" of 4 September 2001 carried a most intriguing and eye-opening report which revealed that he was running the American arm of the "British National Party" (BNP), a small but overtly neo-fascist British political party. By all accounts he had modelled the "American Friends of the BNP" (AF-BNP) on "Noraid", which had financed IRA terrorism for decades. Under US law it is illegal to raise money for foreign political organisations without registering with the Department of Justice - and this Cotterill has apparently totally failed to do. As a result, according to the "Evening Standard" report, "...the BNP could face very substantial fines which could lead to the party's bankruptcy, and Griffin [the BNP leader] could be sentenced to prison." Subsequent to the revelation about this illegal fund-raising, again according to the "Evening Standard" report, "...the web-site of AF-BNP has been shut down and Cotterill ... has resigned from the group and appears to have gone underground."
A further most intriguing revelation is that mutual links were evidently exchanged between the AF-BNP's now defunct web-site and an even more overtly neo-Nazi web-site where the books of another sinister trouble-maker who has caused problems for us in the past are advertised, namely young Mr. Arthur Kemp. Needless to say we would be grateful for any further information concerning this ugly can of worms.
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