SPRINGBOK CYBER NEWSLETTER
December 2000 edition
At the time of writing George Walker Bush has all but been officially declared the 43rd President of the United States of America.
The wretched Al Gore jnr may be attempting every legalistic con-trick known in order to reverse the official result, but his chances now appear to be minuscule, and with them - let us hope - comes the end of the "touchy-feely" Clinton/Blair/Diana zeitgeist of the 1990's.
It is not only the defeat of Gore which fills us full of hope however, but the impending presidency of George W. Bush. His father, never forget, was a staunch Anglophile, and probably one of the greatest (though unsung) presidents in American history - who moreover DIDN'T "go wobbly" during the Gulf War. The previous Republican administration of Ronald Reagan (when George Bush snr served as Vice President) also proved to be probably the strongest friend of South Africa during the era of civilised rule. South Africa at that time was actively encouraged to intervene to defeat communist expansionism in Angola, and there was also much more clandestine American support during those years. How ironic, therefore, that at the time of the ascendancy of probably their greatest potential American friend ever - George Bush snr - White South Africa should choose voluntarily to commit national suicide.
George W. Bush gives us far more encouragement than merely the fact that he is his father's son however. His decision to speak at the Bob Jones University in defiance of liberal opposition, his appointment of James Baker (if anything an even stronger Anglophile than his father) as his representative at the Florida recounts, and - perhaps most importantly of all - his existing close links with William Hague, suggests that he may well prove to be the saviour of the Western free world. The future's bright.
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TRAGEDY - AND HOPE
As many supporters will probably know, the Springbok Club's UDI Day Dinner ended in a catastrophic disaster, and as the result both the SC Chairman, Peter Fisher, and this present writer (the SC Organiser) have officially resigned from the organisation.
The reason for this disaster was entirely due to the actions of one man, the so-called "Treasurer" of the SC, Mr. A.W. "Bill" Yates. We do not intend to go into precise detail about the problems caused by this man since he was appointed Treasurer in August of this year (though if any reader would like to to know the full sorry saga I will gladly supply them with a copy of my official resignation statement), but the salient facts are as follows. 1) Yates failed to carry out his primary agreed task of opening up a bank account in the name of the Springbok Club, unilaterally deciding to use a dormant account held in his own name instead. This led to many concerns and misgivings, with a number of supporters being unwilling to purchase tickets for the UDI Day Dinner as a result. 2) Yates made a number of unilateral decisions concerning the Dinner (including altering the price of the tickets) without consulting the rest of the committee. 3) He annoyed and antagonised a number of potential attendees by his aggressive attitude, and by making unwelcome late-night 'phone calls. 4) A week prior to the Dinner he announced that he was refusing to accept any more payments, thus abdicating all his responsibilities. Emergency action was therefore taken in order to take over the organising of the Dinner, but upon contacting the management of the venue it was discovered that he had only paid just over half of the agreed costs and had implied that only half the guaranteed number people would be attending - and as a result the venue was seriously considering cancelling the entire event. 5) On the evening of the Dinner Yates unexpectedly turned up - but then acted as if he had not been relieved of all responsibility. He went around slyly collecting cash from those whose cheques he had refused to accept, but then pocketed all this money instead of handing it over for the payment of the Dinner. As a result an inevitable fierce altercation took place, which was HIGHLY embarrassing because it took place in front of the Guest of Honour and his wife, and other supporters who had travelled a long way to attend. Yates then refused to leave the premises as requested, and as a result a number of people (including this present writer) were not able to take part in the Dinner which they had arranged and paid for. 6) The balance amount outstanding for the Dinner was paid with a private cheque, which entailed taking out a short-term loan in order to cover.
Events since the disasters of the evening of the 11th have been extremely encouraging however, and we have been overwhelmed by the messages of support which we have received from members and supporters from around the world, with several even making small donations to help replace the funds which Yates had misappropriated. Peter Fisher has furthermore now called an ad hoc meeting for later this week to see whether we can "pick up the pieces" in any way, and to re-constitute the Springbok Club in one form or another. Needless to say we will notify everybody of the outcome of this meeting as soon as possible after it takes place.
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YATES - THE FRANCO CONNECTION
Yates's motivation for wanting to sabotage our UDI Day Dinner - and indeed the Springbok Club itself - has remained a big mystery. The man himself is a bit of an enigma; he seemed to appear from nowhere, yet his connections with South Africa seem negligible - he didn't even know what boerewors was for instance! Some people have suggested that he was a deliberately infiltrated agent provocateur, whereas others have been of the opinion that he merely suffered from a personality or "attitude" problem. We have recently been informed, however, that a few weeks ago he attended a dinner in London in honour of none other than the late Spanish fascist dictator General Franco! We know that in the past we have been subjected to attempted infiltration by extreme-Right elements, so wonder therefore whether Yates actions were part of some form of a neo-fascist destabilisation and takeover campaign. Needless to say, any further information which could be provided about Yates and any neo-fascist connections would be most appreciated.
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CANCELLATION OF DAY OF THE VOW MEETING
Alas the wrecking campaign of Yates has not been the only disaster to befall the Springbok Club during the last few weeks. As most supporters will recall, we were anticipating to welcome Mr. Nicky Lamprecht of Durban as our Guest of Honour for our Day of the Vow commemoration meeting this year, and indeed had already made a booking and had started to advertise accordingly. Barely a month before this meeting was due to take place, however, we were informed (when we 'phoned him moreover!) that he would not be coming to the UK this year after all. In view of the other severe problems which the Springbok Club has recently encountered this might prove to be a "blessing in disguise" however, but regardless of this we have had no alternative but to cancel this formal event. Depending upon decisions reached at the forthcoming ad hoc meeting we may decide to hold a small informal gathering in lieu, and once again we will inform everybody as soon as the decision has been made.
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JOHANNESBURG UDI DAY PARTY
Happily we can report that although the London UDI Day Dinner turned out to be such a catastrophic disaster, the equivalent event held in Johannesburg proved to be a triumphant success. We are grateful to Rodger Harrison-Graeme for the detailed and inspiring report which we publish below:-
"11th November arrived at last - Charmaine and I had put all the ducks in a row and now we waited for the people to arrive at 18.30, and to their credit 90% came on time. Once settled there were a lot of hugs, kisses and handshakes from people who hadn't seen each other for many years! The car park looked like the United Nations with people having travelled from all over Southern Africa and Europe - what a sight! The bar did brisk business, and to background music we set off on our evening of being nothing but Rhodesians.
"I opened the party with a small speech, we had a minutes silence, and then the bagpipes piped the Rhodesian flag in carried by my daughter Hillary (13) and son Rogan (12) [very stirring]. My youngest daughter Sharon (11) sang the Rhodesian anthem, and I could see a lot of wet eyes amongst the crowd. The pipes led them out to a standing ovation.
"After dinner John Edmond started the next portion of the evening and had the crowd dancing and singing in no time. He played for 90 minutes and the crowd loved it of course. He finished with 'Rhodesians Never Die', and I am sure there wasn't a dry eye amongst us, me included!
"The band and DJ finished the evening off, and it was a very tied crowd that left eventually at 4.30 the next morning. I must thank Charmaine for all her hard work, and for all the Rhodies till next year I wish you well and God bless. Keep the flag flying."
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PATRIOTIC PRESS PRODUCTS
We are pleased to be able to confirm that we still have a few full-sized real South African flags left in stock. They are being sold for £12.00 each, though the price is only £10.00 if collected personally.
During that vital period of South African history during the end of 1989 and the beginning of 1990 we managed to publish an in-depth analysis of the developing situation in the country called "Patriotic Press's South African Newsletter". Although we had to cease publication when we were forced to relocate operations to the UK, we have recently been able to re-issue the eight editions which we originally produced. Although this publication is of course no longer of any current relevance, it is even so still of great historical interest, and can be purchased for £20.00 for a complete set of all eight issues.
All payments should be made to "Patriotic Press" (in Sterling) and sent to : BCM SAPAT, London WC1N 3XX, U.K..
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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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BONFIRE
Several supporters went to Lewes for the Bonfire clebrations this year, and as always had a marvellous time. It was particularly good to be able to meet two Australian supporters there, Jock Spooner and David Astin, who were over in the UK on holiday.
The Bonfire festivities themselves went ahead practically the same as normal, in spite of all the severe floods which had affected Lewes just a few weeks earlier - indeed the Archbishop of the Cliffe made the point in his opening address prior to Bonfire Prayers at 18.30 hrs by stating, after listing all those who had tried to stop the Bonfire Celebrations over the years, that this year even the floods couldn't stop them!
The Cliffe B.S.'s possession seemed to be as big than normal, with several visiting societies from other parts of Sussex joining their ranks at the end. One member of one visiting society - who were all dressed as space aliens - carried a large banner proclaiming "Shove the Pope right up Uranus"!
One of the "Enemies of Bonfire" who was pilloried this year was called "Old Leaflet Ears", and was evidently a leafleteering member of a local fundamentalist chapel who had objected to the phallic innuendoes behind the giant tableau featuring Bill Clinton seated astride a huge cruise missile which was the Cliffe B.S.'s fantastic "Mammoth Grand Realistic Tableau" two years ago.
This year, not to be out done, the Cliffe B.S.'s "Mammoth Grand Realistic Tableau" was even more risque. Entitled "Don't it make your Brown eye blue" it featured Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown dressed as a schoolmistress (complete with fishnet stockings) caning a schoolboy-clad Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Mandleson over his/her knee on his bare and very reddened bottom!
Perhaps the only casualty of the floods was the fact that the South Street B.S. were not able to use their normal bonfire site, and as a result held their Pope-burning (or perhaps Pope-explosion would be a more accurate description) on the middle of Cliffe Bridge.
All in all a most enjoyable and exciting "5th" this year (or "4th" to be accurate, as the "5th" fell on a Sunday) as usual, and in spite of all the problems which the floods threw at us they weren't able to dampen the success and enthusiasm one iota!
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WOVEN BATH TOWELS
Old Albion Productions proudly presents 5 new bath towel designs - "The Return of St.George", "England Expects", "Forever Wales", "For God and Ulster" and "Scotland the Brave". They are priced £10.00 each, plus £2.00 p.& p. (UK) or £3.00 (rest of world).
100% made in Britain using British materials, our superior quality "Elite 450" towels are 100% cotton, 28 x 50 inches (bath towel size) and are woven, not printed. Simply phone for more information or send a cheque or postal order made payable to "Old Albion Productions", to our PO Box address and your order will be despatched within 28 days of receipt.
PO Box 24189, London SW18 4WY
Telephone: 07957 151706
e-mail:
saintgeorge@cwcom.net
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CAN YOU HELP?
Margrit Stutz-Laube writes from Switzerland with two requests.
Firstly she asks whether anyone knows where she can obtain some car bumper stickers featuring real South African flag designs?
Secondly she wonders whether anyone can remember her from her athletics days in Natal? She was in Natal from 1974 to 1980 when she ran for firstly D.A.C. and subsequently Pinetown & District A.C., where she specialised in the 100 and 200 metres.
If anyone can help Margrit on either of these matters please contact her direct at:
mmstutz@compuserve.com
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"FREEBIES" WEB-SITE
This web-site designed by ex-Rhodesian John Allman, now living in York, has recently been upgraded.
This new "green" and environmentally friendly web-site is to help people re-cycle items which they no longer use or want. The idea is that others in your community will visit the site, see useful items, and claim them. No money changes hands, all transactions are free, although you have to make your own arrangements to collect the items you want. If you see something you want, just claim it. No mailings will be used for commercial purposes.
To find out more visit this "freebies" web-site at :-
http://www.freebiesrus.co.uk -----------------------------------------------------------------------
BRITISH EMPIRE & COMMONWEALTH MUSEUM
As mentioned in November's edition of the SCN, a special Rhodesian Army Association exhibition is being staged at the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum in Bristol, commemorating the history of Rhodesia from 1890 to 1980. This will be officially opened by Viscount Cranbourne on Saturday 9th December 2000, but we now learn that the opening ceremony is completely sold out, so alas ticket-holders only can now attend. Supporters might also be interested to know that the Springbok Club (or its successor organisation) is planning an official visit to the Museum in February of next year, so if you are interested in joining us please let us know.
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BOOK OFFER
COVOS BOOKS of South Africa are specialist publishers of Africana, and offer a range of most interesting and illuminating books which will appeal to many of our supporters. Amongst the titles they stock are:-
FIREFORCE - One man's war in the Rhodesian Light Infantry, by Chris Cocks. Hard cover with dust jacket, 228 x 155 mm., 368 pages, 120 black and white and colour photos, plus maps and sketches. Widely acclaimed as the classic account of counter-insurgency warfare in Africa. Includes the RLI roll of honour, citations and operational orders. Price R185.00.
HOW WE KEPT THE FLAG FLYING, by Donald MacDonald. Hard cover, 213 x 137 mm., 303 pages, with frontispiece and 7 illustrations and various diagrams. This enduring story of the Siege of Ladysmith is the first in a series of Anglo-Boer War reprints. Price R169.95.
PAMWE CHETE - The Legend of the Selous Scouts, by Lt.Col. Ron Reid-Daly. The revamped, rewritten version of the best-selling "Top Secret War". With new, previously unpublished material, including the roll of honour and full schedules of citations and wings. New photo sections. The definitive account of this exceptional unit's short but distinguished service in the field of counter-insurgency operations during the Rhodesian Bush War. Price R225.00.
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 all these books, prices being £20.00 (Fireforce), £15.00 (How We Kept the Flag Flying) and £27.50 (Pamwe Chete). All payments should be made payable to "Patriotic Press", and sent to: BCM SAPAT, London WC1N 3XX, UK. (Please add 10% for p.& p.).
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
A regular feature in which we ask whether anyone knows the current whereabouts of a friend or colleague who has lost contact.
No.1 (re-visited!) : Mr. PAUL ROBINSON
Although we have already included our great friend and colleague Paul Robinson in this section before we unfortunately received no information about him - but we have recently received some news which suggests that he is still in South Africa. A recent edition of "Southern Cross Africa News" reported as follows:-
"Mandisa Fatyela-Lindie, Black, newly 'empowered' director of the so-called 'Independent Development Trust', has been fined R40,000 for a racist e-mail she sent out. The Johannesburg Magistrate's Court found that her message to White Paul Robinson had indeed been racist. She had said, quote, I am not some kaffir meisie that you think you can push around ... you gonna get exactly what you deserve, unquote."
It would appear therefore that Paul is still based somewhere on the Rand, so if anyone could find out his current address (postal or e-mail) we would be most grateful.
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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE
In view of the impending opening of the Rhodesian Army Association exhibition at the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, we thought that readers might be very interested to visit the Museum's excellent web-site, which can be accessed at:-
http://www.empiremuseum.co.uk
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MORE ON MANDELA
Yet more revealing information has recently come to light about the history of the terrorist Mandela. It was contained in a "Boernews" article entitled "The Rivonia Documents: Where will they be safe?", which we re-print in full below:-
The Rivonia high treason trial, in which Mandela was one of the accused, is in the news again. According to reports Dr Percy Yutar, who was the prosecutor in the case, is going to sell his documents and books in a public auction. Foreign universities are allegedly very interested.
The first reaction is alarm that these very valuable and unique Africana could become lost to South Africans. However, after a little reflection one has to admit that the documents will probably be safer in the library of some foreign university than in South Africa, where the ANC/SACP is trying to wipe out the past by neglect and destruction.
Mandela and others were found guilty of high treason in the Rivonia trial. The case was a culmination of the firm and effective actions of the security services and the courts in those days, which brought a long era of political stability and economic prosperity to South Africa.
Keeping in mind that the people who were prosecuted then, are now ruling South Africa, it could be meaningful to take note of what the court’s findings were. Dr Yutar wrote the following in a prologue to Lauritz Strydom’s book "Rivonia - Masker af!", and we quote:
"I was deeply shocked and could hardly believe what I read in the documents, which either were in their handwriting, or was found in their possession. These documents clearly indicated that the accused purposefully and maliciously planned and effectuated deeds of violence and destruction throughout the country"
"This was aimed at creating chaos, disorder, and unrest in the Republic of South Africa, which according to their plans, would be aggravated by the actions of thousands of trained guerilla fighter deployed all over the country......"
"The combined actions were planned to lead to confusion, violent insurrection and rebellion and malicious destruction, followed up at a suitable opportunity, by an armed invasion of the country by military units from foreign countries. In the midst of the resultant chaos the accused planned to bring about a revolutionary government...."
The accused admitted to the validity of all these documents as well as that their policy included the eventual violent overthrowing of the Government of South Africa. "
"It is for this reason that I presented the court with the fact that this was pre-eminently a case of high treason."
"Broadly seen these documents supply us with more than enough evidence for every accusation ..... including,
"(a) the involvement of Moscow, the Communist parties of Algeria, China, Czechoslovakia, East Germany and several other countries regarding the provision of monetary help, weapons, ammunition and military personnel "
"(b) the fact that the African National Congress is totally dominated by the Communist Party and that they consulted altogether less than 1 percent of the total population in South Africa...."
So far Dr Yutar.
There is much more in the prologue and even more in the book itself, but what we have quoted here depicts a valuable picture of the people to whom the De Klerk government has handed the country in 1994.
We hope that Dr Yutar’s documents will find a place in a foreign archive where it will be kept safe from malicious destruction. We believe at a suitable time it will be used for research by a postgraduate student and that he will then unmask the ANC/SACP for the whole world to see.
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OBITUARIES
LORD COWDREY OF TONBRIDGE
Lord Cowdrey of Tonbridge (Colin Cowdrey) was not only one of the greatest batsmen cricket has ever produced, but he was also a great patriot - and a great friend of South Africa.
He toured South Africa on a number of occasions during the 1950s and 1960s, and held the country and its people in very high regard. In 1970, when scum like the traitor Peter Hain were trying to disrupt the rugby Springbok's tour, and cause the cancellation of the cricket springbok's tour, Colin Cowdrey was in the forefront of the "Save the '70 Tour" campaign, which gained the support of a large number of British sportsmen of all codes.
Colin Cowdrey's two sons, Chris and Graeme, both played for Kent, with Chris following his father in both playing for and captaining England. Chris also held the same pro-South African views as his father, taking part in one of the "rebel" England tours to South Africa during the late 1980's. In him Colin Cowdrey's blood lives on.
TOM HAWKINS
It was with great sadness that we recently learnt of the death of Tom Hawkins after a long illness. Tom Hawkins was a great White patriot. He served in the South African forces as a volunteer during World War II whilst only a young man, and subsequently fought under Mike Hoare in the Congo. He was and always remained proud of his British roots, and did not see any contradiction between this and his South African patriotism.
He was also extremely active in the patriotic movement in Durban during the 1980s, standing as a Conservative candidate for Durban West Ward during the municipal elections of 1988, only narrowly being defeated.
It was during this election that his zany sense of humour came to light. Phoning up his son Paul after a hectic day's canvassing Paul evidently asked where he was. "Hillary Police Station" came the reply. "What are you doing there?" Paul evidently enquired. "Drunken driving" Tom responded. The whole room full of election helpers burst into hysterics.
Alas Tom took the fall of South Africa badly, and sadly he ceased contact with his former friends. He will still always be fondly remembered however.
SUZANNE SMITH
We have also recently learnt of the death of Suzanne Smith, though alas we don't know the details.
Suzanne was a keen and highly active supporter of the Durban Branch of the "Save Rhodesia Campaign" during the late 1970's, eventually taking up the position of Office Manageress, where she supervised the "Vote No" postal campaign of the organisation during the 1979 Rhodesian Constitutional Referendum.
Like many in the SRC, however, she became increasing suspicious about the "National Director" of the organisation, the notorious Brendan Willmer, and resigned her position shortly afterwards. Alas this bad experience with Willmer seriously dampened her enthusiasm, and she was rarely politically active thereafter (though she did help in one of Dave Taylor's municipal election campaigns). Her work for the SRC during those vital days at the end of the 1970's should never be forgotten however.
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