April 2024 Edition
It goes without saying that we were shocked and dumbfounded by the news that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), had been arrested and charged with alleged historic sexual offences.
We of course have had good contact with Sir Jeffrey in the past. He twice spoke at meetings of the Swinton Circle (one of the component organisations which merged to form today’s Patriotic Forum) and this present writer once had business contact with him in relation to his position as chairman of the WW1 Centenary Committee. A more honest, decent and pious man it would be impossible to know.
As the charges against Sir Jeffrey are currently sub judice it is probably best for us not to say anything further about his arrest, suffice to say that the whole situation seems sinister in the extreme, even in the context of the extremely heated cauldron of Northern Ireland politics, with warnings already have been made against unfounded speculations. Sir Jeffrey is of course a skilled Parliamentary debater, and his staunch Protestantism and resolute Ulster Loyalism has for long made him a target for the enemies of the Union who see him as a formidable foe.
Wise words have however been spoken by Jim Allister, the leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice party (TUV) – not always a person who we have agreed with fully – when he reminded all concerned that everyone was innocent until proven guilty. We call upon all concerned to remember this fact therefore. Undoubtedly we will be commenting further once more complete revelations about this disturbing case come to light.
Meanwhile in the Republic of Ireland a far more encouraging development has taken place. Leo Varadkar (a person with openly professed controversial sexual proclivities!) suddenly resigned as leader of Fine Gael, and therefore also as Taoiseach last month, in a move which had been completely unexpected. Varadkar, who as his name suggests is Indian in origin rather than Irish, is believed to have been approached by the “men in green suits” who were alarmed at the fact that Fine Gael was languishing in the polls, and looked set for a complete wipeout at the next Dail elections, and simply told him that his time was up!
We know little about the new Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach, Simon Harris. His initial statements that “Irish Unity” would not be his top priority and would probably prove far too expensive, and that he would be seeking far more friendly and closer links with the United Kingdom, were of course very encouraging. Furthermore the fact that he hails from Co.Wicklow (one of the least republican counties in the RoI traditionally) and - even though he is a Roman Catholic by faith - he seems to have significant Anglo-Irish ancestry, is a further reason for hope. We wish him well.
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SPRINGBOK CLUB NEWS
The Springbok Club will be staging a very important meeting later this month, which we hope all will make every effort to attend. The details of this events are as follows :-
Date : Tuesday 23rd April 2024 (St.George’s/Sigurd’s Day)
Time : assemble from 18.30 hrs, meeting to commence at 19.00 hrs.
Venue: THE CIVIL SERVICE CLUB (the Elizabethan Room), 13-15 Great Scotland Yard, Westminster, London SW1A 2HJ.
(Great Scotland Yard stretches between the top of Whitehall and Northumberland Avenue. The nearest tube stations are Charing Cross and Westminster).
Guest Speaker : Mr. GEOFF HILL
Geoff Hill runs a private intelligence company but you won’t find it on the Net. His firm doesn’t track down missing wives, or clients who haven’t paid their dentist! Instead he sells the kind of "intel" about Africa you might get from the CIA or MI6 ... but quicker, cheaper and without the leaks. You’ll also see his articles in the press, including The Spectator and The Washington Times and he has worked on all six continents. He was the first non-American to win a John Steinbeck award for his writing, along with the BBC’s top prize for African fiction and, in 2011, more than 300 judges and professors of law elected him vice-president of the world’s leading organisation for the study of genocide - and he is a regular guest on CNN, BBC and other networks. Geoff has reported on mass-killings in Somaliland, Rwanda and Iraq and is recognised as an authority on Robert Mugabe’s genocide against the Matabele in the 1980s. He says what you see on TV or read in the press is not fake news, but it’s also not the whole truth. Why? Either because the story is uncomfortable to tell, or doesn’t sell, or journalists truly have little idea of what is going on - and governments spend huge amounts trying to cover things up. This makes business difficult for investors, which is why they call Geoff. Geoff will discuss the elections due this year in South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique (and 20 other African countries), and why billions are being spent on new train lines across the region. Chatham House rules will apply.
[ Geoff Hill’s latest article in The Spectator about Jacob Zuma’s re-emergence can be found at : https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-disruptive-comeback-of-jacob-zuma/ ]
As this meeting will take place on the same day as the big St.George’s Day march in London during the afternoon (leaving from Waterloo Station at approximately 13.00 hrs and culminating in Whitehall), this meeting will therefore give everyone the opportunity to attend both events during their same trip to London.
In order that we can gauge numbers as accurately as possible please let us know if you intend to attend this meeting – even if this is only a possibility.
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The Springbok Club will also be staging a visit to Portsmouth later this month, in order to view both HMS Victory and the Mary Rose. The main activity will be on Saturday 27th April, though some members and supporters aim to make a weekend of this trip, arriving on Friday 26th April and returning on Sunday 28th. All those wishing to participate should therefore rendezvous in the main bar of The Lady Hamilton (21 The Hard, Portsmouth, PO1 3DT – opposite Portsmouth Harbour Railway Station) during the evening of Friday 26th April, or between 11.30 hrs and 12.30 hrs on Saturday 27th April.
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On Sunday 5th May the Kent Branch of the Springbok Club will be making a trip to see the famous Rochester Sweeps Festival, and during the summer the organisation will be staging the first in a trilogy of events being planned at sites associated with Frederick Courtney Selous (after whom the Selous Scouts were of course named). The organisation will also be welcoming two currently overseas-based supporters as guest speakers during the next few months, the precise details of which will be announced in future editions of the SCN as soon as finalised.
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Unfortunately the Springbok Club’s planned trip to see a rugby match featuring a club with strong South African connections has had to be postponed, but it is still hoped that this event will take place early next season.
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PATRIOTIC FORUM NEWS
The long-awaited re-constitution meeting of the Patriotic Forum is still expected to take place during the next couple of months. In the meantime members of the organisation will be giving their full support to activities taking place on St.George’s/Sigurd’s Day, firstly the big St.George’s Day march during the afternoon (see below), and then the Springbok Club’s meeting in the evening (see Springbok Club News section above).
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MESSAGE FROM THE NETWORK FOR ANIMALS
We have recently received the following most worrying report from the Network for Animals organisation about the plight of cats and kittens in “Zimbabwe”. It reads as follows:-
“A few days ago, a tiny, starving kitten was caught in an illegal snare in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Now named Princess, this little flea-infested animal was likely scrounging for scraps to fill her empty belly when tragedy struck.
“From the shocking injuries to her neck, it is clear Princess must have fought desperately to free herself - but to no avail. The wire tore into her flesh as she thrashed around, in terror, for hours or perhaps days. The trap left a raw, gaping wound where skin and fur should have been.
“She must have been petrified, and in excruciating pain.
“A passerby spotted seven-week-old Princess and rushed her to our partner, MARES, for life-saving care.
“Besides Princess’ terrible neck wound, vets also found that she had a broken tail and was being eaten alive by hundreds of fleas. Can you imagine the agony and fear she must have been experiencing? And barely old enough to be away from her mother.
“Princess’ wounds were immediately treated, and she was fed and given a warm, fluffy blanket to sleep in. She is in a truly wretched state, but we have faith that with your support, we can save the life of this little fighter. Once she heals, she will be found a wonderful forever home carefully vetted by MARES.
“Little Princess faces a long, painful road to recovery - but with your support right now, Alan, we will ensure that she (and 23 other unwanted kittens and cats) can continue to receive life-saving treatment, food and shelter.
“In dirt-poor Zimbabwe, people set traps to catch small wild animals to eat. Unsuspecting street cats get caught in these snares, and if they are not found in time, they suffer a slow and agonizing death.
“Our long-standing partner MARES (Matabeleland Animal Rescue and Equine Sanctuary) is the only animal shelter in Bulawayo helping kittens and cats. The local domestic animal shelter does not care about felines at all - they callously euthanize them as soon as they are brought in - so MARES has stepped in to help.
“Just last week, during an NFA visit, the shelter officially opened the MARES Community Cats (MCC) sanctuary alongside their established equine sanctuary.
“Already, MCC is inundated with four-legged felines desperately clinging to life. Kittens like Princess - who faces a lengthy and difficult recovery - and Sheba, a street cat found with such terrible wounds that she was unable to walk. While MARES conducted a trap-neuter-release program not too far from their shelter, Sheba used every last ounce of energy to drag herself out of a ditch, her lame back legs dragging behind her, and managed to get the attention of the MARES team.
“Fortunately, Sheba is not permanently paralyzed – ‘just’ severely injured. Her wounded legs and paws are infested with maggots. Sheba, too, is currently receiving critical care from the dedicated MARES team.
“MARES works in extremely challenging conditions to save every little life they can. They work for days on end without electricity in impoverished Zimbabwe, treating animals like Princess and Sheba by torchlight. They are desperate for funds - but no matter how stretched they are, they NEVER turn an animal away.
“We are proud to partner with MARES and have supported their work since 2018. Now, we urgently need you to open your hearts to the kittens and cats who are in the care of this wonderful team.
“Please donate as much as you possibly can now and help us give hope - and a happy new life - to Princess and Sheba, and all the other felines in need of care.
“For the animals, “Davies (and Max and Flora!), Founder, Network for Animals”
For more details about the Network for Animals organisation, or to make a donation to them and the MARES organisation, visit their web-site at: https://networkforanimals.org/
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THE UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
In the July 2017 Edition of the SCN, in the Sports Article entitled “Northern Kings”, we expressed surprise and some doubts regarding the fact that two South African teams, Southern Kings and the Free State Cheetahs, were going to be allowed to join the Northern Hemisphere orientated Pro-12 Rugby Championship (as it was then called). Although we voiced certain misgivings about this move as it clearly presented great problems, both in regard to the travel distances involved and the differences in climatic conditions, we even so observed that it could have advantages if it enabled the majority of the South African players to move back closer to their ethnic cultural roots.
Since then all the major South African teams have joined this Northern Hemisphere based league, now of course re-named the United Rugby Championship. Even though at least one of the problems which we predicted, the difficulties presented by long travel distances, has been proved true (Vodacom Blue Bulls [Northern Transvaal] players were initially booked on eight different flights in order to reach their final destination for their Investec Champions’ Cup match against Northampton!) our more positive prediction that this move could enable players to return closer to their ethnic cultural roots is also perhaps coming to fruition. Big changes are predicted in the “new” South Africa during the next few months, as will undoubtedly be explained in more details at the forthcoming Springbok Club meeting, and these changes could – and we repeat could – mark the beginnings of South Africa’s return towards First World standards. If such a beneficial state of affairs does eventually come about then the South African Rugby authorities should be congratulated upon the small part which they played in it.
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ST.GEORGE’S DAY MARCH IN LONDON
A big march celebrating St.George’s Day is being planned for London by a number of patriotic parties and organisations for St.George’s Day this year, Tuesday 23rd April.
Assemble outside Waterloo Railway Station between 12.00 noon and 13.00 hrs, from where the march will then set off towards Whitehall. A stage is to be erected in Whitehall ready for the arrival of this march, upon which a number of prominent personalities will address the marchers from approximately 15.00 hrs onwards.
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PETITION CALLING FOR THE NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL TO BE BANNED
Although the original motivation for the foundation of the Notting Hill Carnival was undoubtedly well-meaning, over more recent years it has become a magnet for crime (particularly muggings and sexual offences), drug-taking and assaults upon Police. So bad has the anarchy and lawlessness become that many people are now calling for the carnival to be banned, and the British Freedom Party have accordingly initiated a petition to this effect. This petition can be accessed at :-
https://www.britishfreedomparty.com/notting_hill_carnival
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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. Please use the search request form at :-
http://www.bellemodel.biz/emails/emails.php?id=emails_from_SCN
Also check the list of South African expatriates/emigrants web-sites, which can be found at :-
http://www.bellemodel.biz/uruguay/uruguay.php?id=uruguay_from_springbk
and
http://www.bellemodel.biz/emails/expatriates/toplist_expatriates.php?id=toplist_expatriates_from_springbk
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BOOK OFFERS
“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 BSAP 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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CREST PUBLISHING BOOKS
The latest book published by Crest Publishing is entitled: “BOWLS - QUIRKS, CHIRPS AND ANECDOTES". This is not an instruction manual but rather a cheerful, humourous and sometimes controversial chronicle about the game and its history worldwide. Written to celebrate 40 years in the sport by the author, Glenn MacAskill, it should be of interest to all bowlers and other sports enthusiasts.
For more information about all books published, or to make an order, please contact Crest Publishing at: P.O.Box, 4178, Honeydew, Johannesburg, 2040, South Africa, e-mail: glennallanmacaskill@gmail.com, or visit the Crest Publishing web-site at: www.crestpublishing.co.za. Special discounts are available to ex-servicemen, Rhodies and Springboks!
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"THE SAINTS" – a unique documentary in support of the book on the brief history of the RLI.
DVD available along with other premium titles of historical interest from Msasa Enterprises. Visit www.rhodesianvideos.co.za or write to msasasa@mweb.co.za for more information. UK contact telephone: 07415 753 340.
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
No.305: Mr. MICHAEL SMITH of Durban.
Michael “Mike” Smith (no relation to the unspeakable Mike “Scruffy” Keith-Smith!) was a leading member of the Sons of England organisation in Durban, and a close associate of Don Gilliatt (see August 2016 SCN) in this organisation. As we stated in the previous feature on Don Gilliatt in this section, we had become very impressed with the Sons of England organisation (a patriotic organisation for those specifically of English ancestry) whilst still based in South Africa, though unfortunately it seemingly became defunct during the chaos of the change in dispensation in South Africa during the early 1990s. Alas we never received any response to our request for information about Don Gilliatt, so wonder now whether anyone could help us locate Mike Smith, or indeed anyone who was associated with the Sons of England in South Africa. We are particularly keen to discover more information as we have recently been asked by contacts who have uncovered details about the Sons of England’s origins in Canada if we could provide any further information.
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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH
Many readers will undoubtedly remember Mark Steyn, the former Daily Telegraph journalist and GBNews presenter, who alas was dropped by GBNews because some of his views and comments about the Covid-1984 lunacy – which we agreed with completely! – were evidently not viewed too favourably by the GBNews management! Mark Steyn has now established his own all-encompassing web-site which is well worth visiting regularly, and which can be accessed at :-
https://www.steynonline.com/
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
GOOD OLD SMITHY!
Sir,
Ian Smith came and sat next me - years ago - on a flight from Washington D.C. to London. I had introduced myself to him before the flight as the Director of the Institute for the Study of Terrorism and we had had a short chat before we boarded the plane.
I was interested in what he wanted to tell me about his UDI, the terrorist wars in his country, the hostility he faced from the deliberately uncomprehending Western powers.
He seemed to me to be sincere and sensible. I believe he was then, and still is, unjustly maligned.
Yours etc.,
Jillian Becker, California, U.S.A.
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AUSSIE RULES
Sir,
It was great news to learn that the Australians weren’t so stupid to vote “Yes” like the White South Africans did and ruin their country.
The Australian numbers of Aborigines really mean nothing in the context of the Australian population, but look what happened to us here! You’d have thought the numbers would have convinced White South Africans not even to think of voting “Yes”, but they were brainwashed and bombarded into believing that somehow it would work, and they fell for it.
Yours etc.,
“South African Aussie”, Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa.
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NEW AXIS OF EVIL
Sir,
The ANC say they fully support Hamas on the news. Can the USA please sanction South Africa now. Gaza is on the roast racks of Hell now. Mossad will spend years hunting down the Iranian planners or any financiers of the October 7th attack. 1300 died, many were South-East Asian workers - maids and farm workers. My God, the terrorists will pay for this for years. 17 from the UK were killed or abducted, 14 from the USA, 12 from Thailand, 21 from France – and a Mexican kid aged 12 was abducted. Gaza should be full of ANC members as well! Mossad stop at nothing. They will hunt down every last one, outside in Europe or Iran. It’s show time!
Yours etc.,
Richard Windsor, Canterbury, Kent, U.K.
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REMEMBERING MICHELLE THOMAS
Perhaps one of the worst tragedies to occur in South Africa prior to the collapse of civilised rule in the country was the terrible fate which befell Michelle Thomas. Michelle Thomas was from Durban, and was a popular personality on the Durban club scene, where her superb disco dancing talents did not go unrecognised.
She was given a contract by the Southern Sun Group as a professional dancer, and in 1981 entered the South African Disco Dancing Championship whereat she was victorious, and even though only being 18 at the time thereby became South Africa’s official entry for the World Disco Dancing Championships (one of the few competitions where South Africa was not subject to international leftist-orchestrated sanctions at the time!). The finals of this competition were held at the prestigious Empire Ballroom in Leicester Square, London, and Michelle’s brilliant gymnastic dancing performance resulted in her winning the Singles category, even though, like most of the competitors, she faced a very hostile reception from the biased fans of other competitors!
This victory of course catapulted Michelle to fame in South Africa, and she took up a position as a resident dancer at the Wild Coast Casino as a result. It was here where this present writer was most privileged to see her perform, not only her individual act in a burlesque stage show, but also a spectacular outdoors performance by the pool’s edge. The dexterity of her movements were mesmerising and a wonder to behold.
Michelle Thomas was evidently in a relationship with a serving SAP officer at the time, he also being a highly-talented disco dancer, who indeed represented South Africa at the World Disco Dancing Championship the year after Michelle’s triumph – though without the same success. Shortly afterwards, however, their relationship turned sour, and following an altercation in the Wild Coast Casino car-park Michelle’s erstwhile boyfriend shot her dead with his police service pistol – before turning the gun on himself.
This cruel end to Michelle Thomas’s life at such a young age was actually a tragedy for the whole of South Africa, as she had brought such huge enjoyment and great pride to the country. Her name and her achievement should therefore never be forgotten. A YouTube video of her victory at the 1981 World Disco Dancing Championship can be viewed at :-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Czchi26LvU
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