SPRINGBOK CYBER NEWSLETTER
January 2001 editionDuring both the 1983 and 1992 Constitutional Referendum campaigns those of us who were actively opposed to the proposals (including most notably the late, great Jaap Marais) warned that if approved the new constitutions would lead inevitably to the destruction of the South Africa which we knew and loved, and the wholesale renaming of all traditional placenames. Those who supported a "Yes" vote dismissed these claims as alarmist, but subsequent events have proved - yet again - that we were completely correct.
Already we have seen the PWV region renamed "Gauteng" (or some such ridiculous name), and the South-East Transvaal given an even more unpronouncable title. Now, however, we see plans to enact an even more widespread renaming programme: Pretoria is to become "Tshwane" (evidently literally "Monkeytown"!), Durban is to become "Tkhweni", and most sickening of all Port Elizabeth is to be renamed after the convicted terrorist criminal Mandela (there is of course a precedent of renaming a city after a murdering terrorist - Ho Chi Minh City).
By all accounts most White South Africans are now "up in arms" over these renaming proposals, but those who complain should surely be asked one simple question: "How did you vote in the 1983 and 1992 Referendums?". If they answer "Yes" then they only have themselves to blame.
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SPRINGBOK CLUB RE-CONSTITUTION RECEPTION
Happily we can report that the problems which engulfed the Springbok Club towards the end of last year now seem to have been almost completely overcome. There have been three unofficial and/or informal gatherings held during the last few weeks, and the overwhelming sentiment has been that we should continue and officially re-constitute the organisation as soon as possible. Even more encouraging has been the reaction of so many of our other supporters from around the world, for we have been absolutely overwhelmed (and indeed rather touched) by the messages of support which we have received, and by the encouragement which we have received to carry on.
An official re-constitution reception and meeting has therefore been arranged for later this month, the details of which are as follows:-
Date : Saturday 27th January 2001
Time : 19.30 hours
Venue: The MORPETH ARMS (the Upstairs Function Room), 58 Millbank, Westminster, London SW1 (near to the Tate Gallery and Vauxhall Bridge)
This meeting will commence with the formal re-constitution of the organisation, followed by the election of officers for 2001, following which two (or possibly three) most interesting talks will be delivered. Springbok Club Chairman Peter Fisher has agreed to give a "report-back" talk on his recent visit to Gambia, and Allan Robertson, the Chairman of the London Swinton Circle (who recently had an excellent letter published on the subject in the "Daily Telegraph"), will give a brief talk on the importance of this year's 200th anniversary of the Act of Union (the United Kingdom's 200th birthday).
It is also hoped that buffet snacks will be provided at this reception, to make it an even more memorable event. This however depends upon the necessary finances being available. Already three supporters have each donated £25.00, which will enable us to cover all the postage and administrative expenses to advertise and organise this meeting, but if we could receive only three more such donations then we will be in a position to order a decent spread of buffet snacks accordingly. If you are able to help in this regard then contributions should be made payable to "Patriotic Press" and forwarded to: BCM SAPAT, London WC1N 3XX, UK.
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TRIP TO THE BRITISH EMPIRE & COMMONWEALTH MUSEUM
It has already tentatively been arranged that the Springbok Club's next activity will be a visit to the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum in Bristol, where there is currently a special exhibition being staged on the history of Rhodesia from 1890 to 1980. This trip has provisionally been arranged for Saturday 24th February, but needless to say this will be confirmed and full details will be given in next month's edition of the SCN.
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AN APOLOGY
Unfortunately, due to a computer "hiccup", the Special Edition of the SCN which was circulated in mid-December was sent out twice. Apologies to everyone for any inconvenience which this may have caused.
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TOM HAWKINS
In the December edition of the SCN we reported the sad news about the death of Tom Hawkins, the great patriotic activist from Durban. Since then we have received a report from Nicky Lamprecht (the Springbok Club's liaison man in Durban) who attended Tom's funeral. He writes as follows:-
"I spent quite a lot of time with Tom, obviously to me today not enough time. I went to his funeral and knew quite a few of his mourners from around Durban, but the only political colleague there was old Ted Cowden. I really felt sorry for him because I know that he and Tom were good friends. Well that is the end of a hero, one who fought in the Congo and Rhodesia against Communism, alas one who never lived to see the freedom of our people. I shall always hold a special memory for Tom our friend."
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NEW CYBER MAGAZINE
We have recently made contact with a most praiseworthy new cyber publication called the "EuroKnowledge E-Zine". It is dedicated to the preservation and propagation of European culture and civilisation, and takes a special interest in the plight of the Whites of Southern Africa.
EuroKnowledge's web-site can be accessed at :-
http://www.EuroKnowledge.org
and to be placed on the circulation list for their E-Zine simply write to:-
EuroKnowledge-subscribe@topica.com
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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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ZIMBABWE POLITICAL PRISONERS
One of our supporters has written to remind us of the continuing plight being suffered by the "Harare 3", political prisioners still being held in Mugabe's jails. He writes as follows:-
"We remain concerned at the continued imprisonment of Kevin Woods, Michael Smith and Philip Conjwayo. These three men are political prisoners who fought against the communist take-over of Rhodesia. President Mugabe has refused to release them, despite the personal appeals of Nelson Mandela.
"The men are kept in horrible and unsanitary conditions, including a lack of toiletries and hot water, lice and human waste on blankets, and worse things.
"Friends are invited to send them non-political reading material at: [Their Name], Chikurubi Prison, Greedale, Harare, Zimbabwe."
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NEW WEB PAGES
Three new web-pages have recently been added to our "South African Exiles" web-site. They are entitled "Latest Rhodesian News", "Latest Empire News" and "Terrorist Watch!", and can be accessed at the following three addresses:-
http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~springbk/rhod.html
http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~springbk/empire.html
http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~springbk/enemy.html
The "Latest Rhodesian News" page will contain the latest developments both from "Zimbabwe" from the Rhodesian angle, and also about the Rhodesian expatriate community.
The "Latest Empire News" page will contain interesting items from and about other parts of the Commonwealth, with particular emphasis on the remaining colonial territories.
The "Terrorist Watch!" page contains details of the terrorist crimes of the current ANC regime governing South Africa, and is based upon the detailed reports which we received and published in earlier editions of the SCN in response to a previous request for information about Mandela's terrorist past.
We hope that supporters will not only visit these three new pages, but will also forward us any relevant reports which they may have which can be added to these sites.
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CAN YOU HELP?
We have recently received the following request for employment help overseas from Stephanus Roux. If anyone can help Stephen in any way please contact him direct at: sroux@icon.co.za
I am currently sourcing contract employment as an Snr Instrument/Electrical Engineer I have been out of work for +/- 7mths here in RSA. I would appreciate any leads or contact names. I do apologize of approaching you in this way. Any assistance would be appreciated.
Best Regards,
Stephen Roux (48 years old)
Electrical,Instrumentation and Software B.Sc. (Elec),I.Eng (UK),MIIE (Elec), NDE (Elec),Dipl.PM Registered Engineer : Engineering Council (UK). Reg No:# 409374
Certified As: MS Access & VB Developer
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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
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CLARIFICATION
Following our report in the Special Edition of the SCN that Andrew and Shirley Anderson were thinking about moving to the UK and were looking for employment opportunities in the country, we have been asked to point out that this move of theirs is by no means definite, and is only a possibility which they are looking at. Our apologies to Andrew and Shirley for any embarassment which this lack of clarification may have caused.
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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.27 : Mr. HEINRICH MATTHEE of Stellenbosch
Heinrich Matthee both lived in Stellenbosch and studied at Stellenbosch University, we believe reading law. He was one of the earliest - and strongest - supporters of "S.A.Patriot", and indeed wrote a number of articles for the magazine under a pseudonym. We first met him in person at the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Great Trek just outside Pretoria in 1988 and were very impressed with the man, and would very much like to re-make contact if possible.
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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH
Richard Allport runs a superlative web-site entitled "Rhodesia and S.A.Military" which contains a wealth of information about Southern African military history and affairs - and much, much more. If you wish to discover as much information as you can about Southern African affairs then this is certainly the web-site to examine in depth. It can be accessed at:-
http://www.rhodesia.myweb.nl
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ATTACKS AND SMEARS
A few months ago we were contacted by a woman named Ilda Jacobs who was evidently a Washington-based South African freelance journalist who had seen the SCN, and who said that she wished to write an article on our organisation and activities for publication in South Africa.
She evidently worked for an organisation called "Matheson Communications", which is apparently run by an existing subscriber of ours in the United States. We therefore checked out her bona fides, and were assured that she was a good, objective journalist who could be relied upon to write a balanced - even favourable - report about our movement, so we therefore co-operated with her fully.
Although she seemed very friendly and appreciative after we forwarded her answers to all the questions which she had asked, we heard no further word from her. Early last month, however, we were alerted by a supporter who had seen a vile smear-article about us which appeared on an obscure African internet news service. This smear-article carried the by-line of this Jacobs woman and someone named Justin Arenstein, and was based upon a total distortion of the answers which had previously been given. To say that it was a piece of shoddy journalism would be an understatement, for in fact it was a total disgrace to the journalistic profession, being written from an extreme biased left-wing perspective. It was full of misquotes, misrepresentations and indeed downright lies about what we had been told to her. Furthermore the writers seemed to be pig-ignorant about South African history, for they appeared oblivious to the fact that Mandela had been sentenced to life imprisonment for terrorist activities!
Fortunately, as we say, this smear-article (plus a pathetic follow-up) appeared on a totally obscure African internet news service, so its exposure was therefore extremely limited, and indeed we have received no further reports about it.
Shortly after this we were contacted by a man named Richard Barrett from Mississippi in the United States who runs an organisation called the "Nationalist Movement", and who indeed this present writer met when he toured the UK in 1989.
Again contact with this gentleman initially seemed very friendly, and we gave him a lot of first-hand information about the South African situation. The outcome of this, however, was that he posted a most offensive item attacking us on his curiously-named "Crosstar" web-site, in which he bizarrely accused us of "waging war against the Boers [sic]", and then went on to make a number of totally untrue and defamatory allegations.
Closer investigation of this "Crosstar" web-site suggests that it clearly has neo-fascist sympathies, and as with the Jacobs/Arenstein combo has a very ignorant knowledge of South African affairs - apparently believing that the absurd and now totally exposed AWB outfit has some form of significant relevance!
As one supporter from the United States has accurately observed, if we are attacked by both the extreme left and the extreme right then we must be doing something correct!
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Finally, if you would prefer to be deleted from our "Springbok" mailing list then simply send us an e-mail with the word "unsubscribe" in it. Alternatively, if you liked this Cyber-Newsletter and think that any of your friends would like it also, then please let us have details of their e-mail addresses!
See you again next month!
