SPRINGBOK CYBER NEWSLETTER
October 2014 edition
In spite of some very worrying developments for the West in other parts of the globe, one event last month shone out like a beacon to encourage us all, namely the result of the Scottish Constitutional Referendum.
In spite of the fact that David Cameron gave way in practically every way to the demands of the subversive SNP and their sinister internationalist backers, the majority of Scottish people had the common-sense not vote for the destruction of the natural unity of the British nation. Although the vote was not as overwhelming as we would have liked it to be, it was even so – with a margin of over 10% in favour of the Union - decisive.
Alas the official “Better Together” campaign under the woeful leadership of Alistair Darling, who seemed obsessed with the economic arguments rather than with the far more emotional patriotic arguments, cannot receive any high accolades for the eventual happy outcome of this plebiscite. There were however a number of individuals and organizations who warrant the highest praise for securing the triumph of the Unionist cause, among whom we would single out :-
1) Dan Snow and Tom Holland and their “Let’s Stay Together” Campaign, which procured the backing of hundreds of leading British personalities from throughout the United Kingdom in support of the Union. Although a number of these signatories were highly surprising (to say the least!), the vast majority, regardless of their somewhat “trendy” backgrounds, proved that when the crunch came they were true patriots. Their names must always be remembered and respected therefore.
2) Those leading Scottish celebrities such as Sir Chris Hoy, J.K.Rowling and Alan Hansen who were prepared openly to support the “No Thanks” Campaign in spite of vile intimidation from the SNP-supporting hate-filled “cyber-nats”.
3) The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, who by organizing a massive demonstration in favour of a “No” vote in Edinburgh shortly before the Referendum brought much needed colour and patriotic fervour to the debate – so sadly lacking from the official “Better Together” Campaign.
4) The Rt.Hon. Gordon Brown: not exactly our favourite politician we admit, but someone who unlike Alistair Darling was able to mobilize pro-Union Labour voters effectively.
Even though the Referendum was won decisively, the struggle for the Union is alas still not necessarily over. The SNP splittists and their internationalist backers (who of course advocate the break-up of other great European nation states such as Belgium, Spain, France and Italy) may have suffered a severe set-back to their devious plans, but they have not gone away. Whilst the SNP is at a low ebb, especially with the departure of the odious Alex Salmond and the consequent leadership handover, now is the time for pro-Unionist forces to act decisively. We therefore advocate that three main long-term policy campaigns should be initiated in order to try to influence the powers that be, namely :-
1) Advocating that the Holyrood “Parliament” (together with those at Cardiff Bay and Stormont, in its present form) should be abolished, with their powers devolved downwards to either traditional regional or county levels. If such devolution to a lower level is also enacted in England then the West Lothian Question will at last be solved.
2) Pressing for the elimination of all manifestations of Scottish separateness. Why for instance should there be separate NHS, heritage and environmental bodies for Scotland, and why do all major political parties have to suffix their title with the word “Scottish” in Scotland? This is most important in the sporting context of course, where British Lions style teams should be established to play in international competitions for all team sports, particularly in Soccer. The England Cricket Test side (though not necessarily limited overs sides) should be re-branded Great Britain, and the British Lions Rugby side should start to play regular internationals at home.
3) Encouragement should be extended to the Republic of Ireland to re-join the United Kingdom. This will not be accomplished overnight of course, and undoubtedly will take at least another generation to come to fruition, but a start should be made now by making it clear to the citizens of the 26 lost counties that if they ever wish to return they will be welcomed. More specifically, the RoI should be encouraged to leave the disastrous Euro currency and re-join the Sterling Zone.
If immediate steps are taken to enact these proposals then the frightening nightmare of the disintegration of the United Kingdom which we endured in 2014 will never happen again.
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SPRINGBOK CLUB NEWS
The Springbok Club was most honoured to be invited to participate in the annual “Raising of the Flag” Ceremony in Norfolk last month, and a goodly contingent of Springbok Club members were able to make the journey to attend. This event, which commemorates the foundation of Rhodesia on 13th September 1890, consisted of the actual raising of Union Flag ceremony (which re-enacts the flag-raising at what became Cecil Square, Salisbury in 1890), a short religious ceremony conducted by the Rev. Jonathan Boston (the Chaplain to the Moanor of Southrepps), speeches given by Alan Harvey (current Organiser/Secretary of the Springbok Club) and by Lt.Col. Bertram Cubitt (ex-BSAP), the singing of the Rhodesian and British National Anthems accompanied by the Cromer and Sheringham Brass Band and the firing of a 21-gun salute. Our hearty congratulations are extended to Peter Sladden, Michael Thorburn and Capt. Anthony Aldridge upon organizing such a spectacular and uplifting event.
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The details of the Springbok Club’s October meeting are as follows :-
Date : Thursday 23rd October 2014
Time : Assemble from 18.30 hrs, meeting to commence at 19.00 hrs.
Venue : The GOLDEN FLEECE (the downstairs Cellar Bar), 8/9 Queen Street, City of London, EC4N 1SP (nearest tube stations: Bank, St.Paul’s and Mansion House).
Guest Speaker : Mr. ALAN WILLIAMSON MRICS, MInstCES, MBIDP
Alan Williamson commenced his career by qualifying as a chartered quantity surveyor in 1985 and working in this country for major civil engineering contractors, until departing for Southern Africa for the first time in 1988. Living in Botswana for most of the time until 1994, he acted as Chief Quantity Surveyor for Wade Adams having responsibility for central/southern Africa, including Botswana, Angola, Mozambique and Bophuthatswana. This period included time in both Angola and Mozambique during the civil wars in those countries, working for clients such as UNDP. He also travelled extensively around both South Africa and Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) during that time. Upon returning to Great Britain he concentrated upon the construction law side of the business, being based at a practice in Temple Chambers in the City of London since 2000, and having had many construction law articles published in a number of publications since that time. He returned to South Africa several times between 2007 and 2010, travelling around the country extensively over that period, before returning to live there from September 2013 to August 2014. During this time he was site claims manager for Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Africa upon the 4,800 MW coal-fired power station at Kusile between Pretoria and Witbank. His talk will include a summary of his role on this largest coal-fired power station in the world, and some of the immense problems encountered, and his general experiences of life in present day South Africa.
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The Springbok Club has received an invitation from Saracens RFC to attend their friendly match against the Western Province Stormers on Sunday 9th November at Allianz Park, when they will be offering £25.00 tickets to all members and supporters for only £20.00. Would all those interested please either e-mail springbk@netcomuk.co.uk or ‘phone: us on: 07711188430.
Later during November the Springbok Club plans to stage its annual UDI Day celebration buffet, at which the organisation will be welcoming a special Rhodesian guest speaker. Fuller details will be included in next month’s SCN.
In December the Springbok Club will be holding their annual Day of the Vow commemorations, and fuller details will be given in future editions of the SCN.
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The Kent Branch of the Springbok Club will be organising a pub-gathering in Canterbury, and a trip to see some of the historical sites of the Medway Towns during the next few months. Fuller details will again be given in future editions of the SCN.
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SWINTON CIRCLE NEWS
The Swinton Circle gave its full support to New Britain’s “Keep the United Kingdom United” procession and rally in London last month, and full details about this event are given in the New Britain News section below.
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Details regarding the Swinton Circle’s forthcoming 2014 AGM are as follows :-
Date : Tuesday 14th October 2014
Time : assemble from 18.30 hrs., meeting to commence at 18.45 hrs.
Venue : The GOLDEN FLEECE (the downstairs cellar bar), 8/9 Queen Street, City of London, EC4N 1SP (nearest tube stations: Bank, St.Paul’s and Mansion House).
ITINERARY
1. Opening of meeting.
2. Apologies for absence.
3. Approval of 2013 AGM Minutes.
4. Organiser’s Report for 2013/2014.
5. Treasurer’s Report for 2013/2014
6. Election of Officers for 2014/2015 (nominations to be submitted by post or e-mail by 13th October).
7. Motions for debate (to be submitted and seconded by post or e-mail prior to 13th October).
8. Any other business.
Only valid and fully paid-up members of the Swinton Circle will be entitled to attend and participate in this business side of this meeting, though membership fees may be renewed on the day. The membership rate still stands at £12.00 per year.
After the business side of this meeting has been concluded (at approximately 19.45 hrs.) we will be most honoured to welcome Mr. Paul Griffin as guest speaker, and all supporters of the Swinton Circle, whether or not actual members, will be welcome to attend this section of the evening's activities. Mr. Griffin will be giving a short talk and presentation about the current situation in the Ukraine, and the hypocrisy which he perceives on both the Western and Russian sides.
Paul Griffin was born at Ottawa, Canada, and studied at the University of Durham where he gained an MSci degree in Geoscience. He currently works in London as an IT Technical Support Analyst, specializing primarily in databases. He has made an extensive study of European history and associated philosophy, which he will expand upon in the course of his talk.
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It is anticipated that the Swinton Circle’s November meeting will feature a very high-profile guest speaker, and will take place on Tuesday 4th November. All members and supporters of the Swinton Circle will be notified of the precise details of this meeting in due course.
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Membership fees and donations to the Swinton Circle can be made via PayPal on the organisation’s web-site home page at www.swintoncircle.co.uk - simply 'click' on the line "PayPal = the safer, easier way to pay online" at the bottom of the home page; if the error message "This content cannot be displayed in a Frame" appears then simply 'click' on the line "Open this Content in a New Window".
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NEW BRITAIN NEWS
New Britain’s staged a “Keep the United Kingdom United” procession and rally in the City of London last month, in order to support the “No Thanks” campaign at the Scottish Constitutional Referendum. Starting from Paternoster Square next to St. Paul’s Cathedral, the procession, led by a bagpiper and a flag-holder bearing the Union Flag, and including other flag-bearers carrying the flags of the four main component parts of the United Kingdom, proceeded through the streets of the City of London to St. Sepulchre’s Church where the Rally took place. At the Rally, which was presided over by Mr. Dennis Delderfield, the National Chairman of New Britain, patriotic songs from all parts of the United Kingdom were sung as the five flag-bearers paraded to the front of the church. This was followed by a spectacular display of traditional Scottish dancing and bagpipe playing, interspaced with rousing speeches from Mick McGough and Rory Broomfield of The Freedom Association. A video recording of part of the rally can be viewed at :-
https://www.youtube.com/embed/tXE0bdBy6mo
and the speech given by Rory Broomfield can be viewed at :-
https://www.youtube.com/embed/biemMSpZKM8
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LATEST MESSAGE FROM THE ZIMBABWE CONSERVATION TASK FORCE
The latest report which we have received from the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force reads as follows :-
“ELEPHANTS POISONED
“We have recently heard about 4 elephants that were poisoned with cyanide. The dead elephants were found on the old mine road off the main Kazangula/Victoria Falls Road. Apparently the cyanide was mixed with salt and sprinkled in an area where the elephants eat the salt. We believe National Parks have now burnt the carcasses.
“PETITION
“A petition has been circulated regarding the take-over of Kanondo by Elisabeth Freeman/Pasalk. The concern is for the Presidential Herd that frequent the area. The petition was signed by 8,000 people, 2,000 of whom were Zimbabweans and handed to Minister Saviour Kasukwere. We believe the petition was ignored due to the fact that a very wealthy tycoon and minister is involved.
“FAREWELL TO MAC BAILEY
“It is with great sadness and regret that we announce the death of Mac Bailey. For those who were not fortunate enough to know him, he was, amongst other things a great conservationist. It was ironical therefore that he was killed by a crocodile in Kariba. We wish his wife Jenny and his children our sincere condolences on the loss of a very special man.”
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EASY RYDER SOLUTION
The Ryder Cup is the world’s most famous match-play golf competition. Founded in 1927, it was originally a contest between teams of golfers from the British Isles and the United States of America. In 1979, however, following a period of perceived US dominance, it was decided to expand the geographic area from which their opponents could be drawn to include the whole of the continent of Europe. Although this decision was made on purely golfing grounds, it was quickly seized upon by the godfathers of the European Union in order to engender none-too-subtle propaganda for their internationalist institution and to popularise the otherwise much-hated 12-star EU flag – in spite of the fact that European golfers could be drawn from throughout the European continent, and not just from member countries of the EU! As a result, therefore, many patriotic British golf-fans have been uncertain which side to support at recent competitions.
Ideally of course, following a period of overwhelming European dominance in the Ryder Cup, and the fact that for the past decade or so it has been British golfers such as Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Graeme McDowell who have been dominant on the world stage rather than US golfers, the competition should revert to its original British Isles v. USA format. This however would be unfair on the continental European golfers who have had the glory of competing in this event for the past few years – after all they can’t be blamed for the manner in which the EU politicians have tried to hi-jack the competition!
To us the solution seems obvious however. The Ryder Cup should evolve into a structure similar to the Davis Cup in Lawn Tennis, with teams from all nation states around the world being allowed to compete, and with a world group of the 8 top teams competing on knock-out basis and being fed by four regional groupings. The only difference to the Davis Cup would be that the competition would be spread over a 2-year cycle rather than competed annually. We hope that PGAs on both sides of the Atlantic will be prepared to consider this proposal carefully.
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MESSAGE FROM THE ZIMBABWE PENSIONER SUPPORT FUND
We have recently received the following quite worrying report from the Zimbabwe Pensioner Support Fund :-
“We have been supporting pensioners in Zimbabwe for the past 12 years and are hoping you could possibly do a story about us and how this all came about. Helping us to celebrate this small milestone. Over the years the Zimbabwe Pensioner Support Fund has gone from supporting 1 pensioner to currently supporting just over 1600 pensioners with an apple box filled with non-perishable food in 28 old age homes / organizations throughout Zimbabwe. This is only about 45% or so of the pensioners that need help. We also assist similar organizations called ‘S.O.A.P’ (Support Old Age Pensioners)as well as various kitchens. One of the kitchens we support is the Verity Amm Kitchen in Bulawayo, they supply between 80-100 pensioners with 2 meals a day 4 days a week. As far as we are aware we are the largest Non-Government organization supporting pensioners still in Zimbabwe who lost everything when the Zimbabwe dollar ceased to exist.
“As such we would like to inform interested persons of the true situation regarding the pensioners in Zimbabwe. Many people are under the impression that since the so-called dollarization of their currency the situation for the pensioners has improved. Wrong! In fact, Zimbabwean pensioners are now worse off than ever before. Overnight in January 2010 the reserve bank removed another 12 zeroes and people who had billions of Zimbabwe dollars were paupers the next day. No matter whether they had Zimbabwean dollars in the bank or at home they lost everything and were left with useless pieces of paper. They have never been compensated for the loss and never will be. So even though the currency changed to US dollars what they had in Zimbabwean dollars no longer existed. Pensioners are now at the mercy of Good Samaritans that reach out to them. That is where the Zimbabwe Pensioners Support Fund comes in. The fund was established in 2002 to help a few needy people in an old age home.
“The first thing one needs to understand is that almost 75% of the pensioners do not have a pension or income and those that do receive between US$13 and US$40 . They did make adequate provision for their old age and originally retired comfortably. However, as Zimbabwe's inflation went up into the ‘billions’ of percent, the government kept taking off zeroes in an attempt to stabilize the economy. I was recently speaking to a pensioner in Kadoma Ann who was crying and I asked her what the problem was. This is what she had to say. “I get a pension of US$40 a month from Old Mutual. The bank takes US$2, my rent is US$35 so that leaves me with US$3 for food”. This is a fairly common situation that I come across. There is of cause the very small percentage of pensioners that are well supported by their children.
“With two large trucks we shift around 18-22 tons of non-perishable food, good second hand clothes and medical aides such as wheelchairs, crutches, walking aids, spectacles and non-scheduled medicines every 8 weeks to our Golden Oldies. Over the past year funds have trickled down and we are battling to make ends meet in our continued goal to support our pensioners. We firmly believe that had it not been for the tenacious and ‘Bull Terrier’ like spirit of Hannes Botha (the ZPSF Director), this year’s ‘roadblocks and curved balls’ would have ended this project. Yet as he has said many times to us, ‘these people are my life and nothing will stop me from serving them with payback’.
“We are an officially registered Non-Profit Organization and Section 21A in South Africa and are registered with SARS as a Public Benefit Organization in terms of section 18A the Income Tax Act (Which means all donations are issued with a Tax Certificate and can be claimed back). We rely totally on the generosity of the public to keep our wheels turning.
“Please if you have any queries do not hesitate to contact us.”
The ZPSF can be contacted at: www.zpsf.co.za or by e-mailing: pensupzim@vodamail.co.za
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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
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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.
Trish also writes romantic suspense and romantic comedy fiction. www.trishjaxon.com
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"P.K. VAN DER BYL - AFRICAN STATESMAN" by Hannes Wessels
ISBN: 978-1-920143-49-7 / paperback / illustrated
Retail price: R250.00, Web-site price: R200.00 + postage
The narrative gives the reader an overview of the history of the White man in southern Africa with detailed emphasis on the Rhodesian story through the life and times of PK van der Byl, one of the major players in a political drama that ended in the accession to power of Robert Mugabe under the auspices of the British government. By his very nature PK was controversial and confrontational. This account is likely to give offence to some because it portrays him as bluntly as he was in real life. Much can be contested about PK van der Byl but few will dispute he was an extremely colourful character with a devilish sense of humour. This memoir covers his life with a full flourish while doing nothing to detract from the seriousness of the international political and military conflict in which he was engaged. The reader will glean new information on a highly controversial subject and emerge with a more sympathetic understanding of what PK van der Byl and his colleagues did and strove for. The human tragedy that has followed the removal from power of Ian Smith and his Rhodesian Front party will almost certainly force the reader to deal with some uncomfortable conclusions, of value to anyone sincere about grappling with the volatile and deeply troubling challenges that confront all Africans today.
This book and others of interest can be purchased from 30 Degrees South via their web-site: www.30degreessouth.co.za
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"BLUE WATCH" by Gwyn Fford-Osborne
Rhodesia, in 1975 and a bloody vicious civil war is at its height. A war between the White minority supported by the Black majority and the ZAPU and ZANU terrorist groups, supported by Zambia and Mozambique. Kensington, a small town in the farming belt has been the subject of several terrorist attacks but with only a small police force for defence, the local T.A. unit having been called up for service on the Zambia border the situation appears grim. Until Iffor Meredith turns up on a pilgrimage to meet up with his wife and son of his old army buddy, recently murdered by terrorists. A deadly ambush on the "Dix" family and his escape from a land mine attack makes Iffor determined to offer resistance of some form or other to the terrorists. His application to join the Rhodesian Army has been accepted and he sets about forming a small militia. With all the fit men already on call up, who can he recruit from. Then he's invited to a darts match at the Moth Club and meets up with the remnants of the town's Fire Brigade, the men considered too old for call up. Blue Watch.
Available from: www.diadembooks.com
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CREST PUBLISHING BOOKS
Crest Publishing retails books by Glenn MacAskill (ex-BSAP Special Branch) entitled "King's Gold", "Crime Lords", "Kill Victoria!", "Hunt the Assassin" and "MacKinnon's Diamond", and by the late Michael Bowery including "Canham's Run", "The Sligo Piper" "Kill the President", "Al Qaeda Armageddon" and his autobiography "Shred when Read", as well as novels by David Ruppert entitled "The Seven Watchmen" and "The Greater Glory" - all of which will be of great interest to South Africans and ex-Rhodesians.
For more information, 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" - DVD versions of the book about the history of the RLI
Now available from Msasa Enterprises. Contact: msasasa@iafrica.com or UK tel.: 07732 685400.
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
No.191 : Mr. DAVID WILLIAMS of Durban.
David Williams was born on the Copper Belt of the then Northern Rhodesia, and hailed from a family of patriotic British Imperialists. He moved to South Africa after the sell-out of NR, and volunteered to serve in the SADF reserve forces, seeing action on the frontline during subversive rioting in Natal. He worked as a systems analyst firstly for the Unilever Group and subsequently for the Durban Corporation. It would be very interesting to learn where he is now.
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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH
There perhaps predictably wasn’t much media coverage of the massive pro-Unionist celebrations in George Square, Glasgow, the day after the “No” campaign won a decisive victory at the Scottish Constitutional Referendum. One video filmed by an apparently neutral overseas news outlet showing the extent of the celebrations by the ecstatic patriotic crowd does appear on YouTube however. Both Unionist and Nationalist supporters are interviewed in this clip, but significantly even one “Yes” supporter openly admits that Scotland will now never become independent! Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdvXA1J8Egc
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
SHORT MEMORY
Sir,
Your article about Michael Hart-Jones [September SCN - Ed.] made fascinating reading. I was a supporter of the Save Rhodesia Campaign in Durban during the late 1970s and remember him quite well. Wasn’t he a close acquaintance of that other useless individual who frequented several right-wing organizations in Durban, Norman Perry (who often went under the pseudonym of Norman Short)?
If I remember correctly Perry served on the Committee of the SRC in Durban, but had to be asked to leave after he failed to attend any Committee meetings or even any of the functions staged by the organization. When he turned up at Brian Hurt’s election campaign a few months later he started to run down the SRC like anything, stating that the only way to save Rhodesia was to “kill Oppenheimer” – a really childish comment to make. Then years later he turned up over an hour early at the big Action White Natal rally in the Durban City Hall in order to get one of the best seats available – in spite of having done NOTHING either to organize or to publicise the rally or the campaign in general. He was a classic and odious “armchair politician”. We needed less of them during those vital days. I wonder where he ended up?
Yours etc.,
“Patriot”, Durban, Natal.
[ From what we’ve heard Norman Perry/Short died in Durban about two years ago. Ed.]
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COMMONSENSE
Sir,
Britain should have given Southern Rhodesia independence in 1953 rather than setting up the idiotic Central African Federation. At the very least she should have been given independence at the same time as Zambia and Malawi - she had, after all, been a self-governing democracy since 1922, even if she did reject the sacred cow of "one man one vote." Her non-racial qualified franchise should have been a role model for the whole of Africa and Asia. In addition, all republics should have been barred from the Commonwealth - those who reject our monarch had no business in our Commonwealth.
Yours etc.,
M. Taylor, London, U.K.
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OBITUARY
LORD BANNSIDE
Lord Bannside, the former Dr. Ian Richard Kyle Paisley, who sadly died last month, has often been described as the greatest Ulsterman since Carson. This comparison is actually incorrect, as Carson was of course born a Leinsterman. It would, however, be more accurate to describe Lord Bannside as the greatest Briton since Churchill.
Born in 1926 in Co.Armagh, the then Ian Paisley was the son of a Baptist pastor who had founded his own breakaway denomination. Ian Paisley inherited his father’s staunch Christian faith and was a lifelong opponent of Romanism. In 1951 he preached his first sermon in a corrugated-iron mission chapel in Co.Down. He proved a powerful and charismatic preacher, and soon gathered together a group of adherents who founded the Free Presbyterian Church, which by 1969 had established the Martyr’s Memorial Church in Belfast’s Ravenhill Road, the largest Protestant place of worship in Europe.
Ian Paisley’s strong Christian beliefs, coupled with the mounting threat of SF/IRA insurrection in Ulster, and the apparent appeasement of both the Ulster Unionist Party under Capt. Terence O’Neill and the British Government of the day, made him realize that he was called to enter the political arena. He stood against O’Neill in the Bannside Constituency during the 1969 Stormont elections, greatly reducing O’Neill’s majority. The following year – no doubt realizing the way that the wind was blowing – O’Neill resigned as Stormont PM, and in the subsequent by-election Paisley was victorious. By now obtaining political support from a wide range of Protestant denominations, Paisley then went on to win the North Antrim seat for the Westminster Parliament at the 1970 General Election (a seat which he held until he voluntarily relinquished it 2010). With the Democratic Unionist Party which he was a driving force in establishing now becoming an increasingly dominant political force in Ulster, Paisley was elected an MEP to the European Parliament in 1979, holding the seat until he voluntarily stood down in 2004 – topping the Ulster poll in each election!
A man of considerable physical energy and tremendous personal bravery, he was able to serve in three parliaments/assemblies simultaneously for 25 years. He was forthright in his opposition to Edward Heath’s inexcusable abolition of the Stormont Parliament and his sell-out Sunningdale Agreement, Margaret Thatcher’s appeasement through the Anglo-Irish Accord and the treacherous so-called Good Friday Agreement. He also courageously supported the Ulster Worker’s Council Strike of 1977 (which brought down the Sunningdale Agreement) and the Drumcree protests, and also expressed solidarity with the establishment of the Ulster Resistance movement (the “Ulster Third Force”) in 1981. On the religious front he was equally defiant, bravely handing out Protestant pamphlets in St.Peter’s Square itself and denouncing the Pope as the anti-Christ when he addressed the European Parliament. As a result of all these courageous actions he was subject to many assassination attempts, but survived each time – perhaps through divine intervention.
Towards the end of his political career he caused great controversy within Ulster’s Loyalist community when, as leader of the largest party in the Stormont Assembly of the time, he was prepared to enter into a power-sharing arrangement. The factor which many fail to realise, however, is that during the St.Andrews’ negotiations engineered by the Labour Government of Tony Blair (himself subsequently a Romanist convert) the DUP were presented with a stark choice: either accept a form of power-sharing or else there would be a total sell-out to a united Ireland. The choice was therefore a “no brainer”. In addition to this, however, Paisley and other high-ranking officials within the DUP detected a split within SF/IRA ranks, with the McGuinness faction seemingly being more interested in the trappings of power, as opposed to the nationalist “purity” of the Adams faction, a split which he was astutely able to exploit. In this final act of his political career Ian Paisley – by now Lord Bannside – showed great daring and acumen therefore, which as Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom still seems as secure as ever would certainly appear to be well-placed.
Ian Paisley therefore proved to be probably the greatest British patriot of his age. The sell-out of the six Loyal counties of Ulster to the Republic of Ireland, which seemed to be an almost foregone conclusion in 1969, never came about – and indeed now seems to be further away than ever. For this the Ulster people have one man to thank for his defiance and non-stop energy more than anyone – Dr. Ian Richard Kyle Paisley. It is not only in Ulster itself where Paisley’s British patriotism has born fruit however, for undoubtedly his patriotic activism and fervour also spread to supporters in Scotland, with the happy result of the Scottish Constitutional Referendum (which happened sadly just a few days after his death) being in no small measure due to the spirit of British Unionism which he engendered. Indeed admiration for his religious and patriotic principles extended elsewhere across the globe, as the moving tribute paid to him by Dr. Peter Hammond of the Cape Town-based Frontline Fellowship confirms.
Lord Bannside was an inspiration to us all. Our sincerest condolences are extended to his widow Eileen and to his children Kyle, Ian (who succeeded his father as DUP MP for North Antrim), Sharon, Rhonda and Cherith. In them we are confident that his Christian decency, determination and patriotism will live on.
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See you again next month!
Monday, 20 October 2014
Monday, 8 September 2014
September 2014 Edition.
SPRINGBOK CYBER NEWSLETTER
September 2014 edition
The world is probably currently facing the greatest danger of global military conflict since the end of WWII. There are two areas of confrontation which could quickly escalate into wider conflicts involving all Western powers. The first is the civil war in the Ukraine, and the second is of course the ongoing power-struggle in the tinderbox of the Middle East. These two conflicts need to be handled in very different ways however.
As far as the Ukraine is concerned, it should always be borne in mind that apart from a brief period as a Nazi-puppet state the Ukraine had never been an independent country prior to the break-up of the Soviet Union. It was part of the Tsar’s “All the Russias”, and indeed Kiev was once capital of Russia itself. Ethnically, linguistically and religiously the Slavic Ukrainians are the same people as the Slavic Russians, so all logic therefore confirms that they should form one nation-state, together with their other identical neighbouring state of Belarus.
It should also be remembered that Russia is currently facing exactly the same enemies as the great nation-states of Western Europe are facing, namely expansionist fundamental Islam and interference from the German-dominated EU. The break-up of the other nations of Europe has for long been part of the German-EU plan, firstly in the east as happened in not only Russia but also in Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, but now increasingly in the West, as current most worrying attempts to separate Scotland from the centuries-old United Kingdom illustrates. Russia is therefore our friend, and if re-unification with the Ukraine can come about then it is going to make it far more difficult for the German-EU to succeed in their plans to carve-up the great nation-states of Western Europe such as Britain and Belgium etc.. Western governments should therefore support the so-called “rebels” in the Ukraine who wish to be re-united with mother Russia, and not the fascist-influenced Kiev Government.
The fault for the current dangerous situation in the Middle East can probably be traced back to the aftermath of the First Gulf War in 1991, when after liberating Kuwait the West simply withdrew, rather than continuing the military offensive to Baghdad in order to remove the tyrant Saddam Hussein and his detestable Ba’athist regime. If this had been done then there would not have been any subsequent suppression of the Shi’ite Iraqis and Kurds, so that internal conflict in the post-Saddam Hussein Iraq would probably never have taken place; there would have been no 9/11, and in all probability no 7/7, Bali or Madrid terrorist atrocities either; there would have been no necessity for a Second Gulf War, and ISIS/ISIL would thereby not have been given the breeding-ground to emerge. There is no point in going back over history however. All we should be concerned about is the future.
We laid out our opinions about the current crisis in Syria and Iraq in the June edition of the SCN, and see no reason to change these opinions now. In a nutshell, the West should encourage a rapprochement between the Assad Government and the Syrian National Council, and then to intervene with them, the Kurdish Peshmerga and whatever form of new Iraqi government emerges in order to crush ISIS/ISIL ruthlessly – just as ruthlessly as the Israelis have attacked ISIS/ISIL’s fellow-Islamic terrorists Hamas in Gaza. After that, however, the West must not make the same mistake as was made in the early 1990s and the early 2010s and to withdraw their forces far too early – indeed we would advocate that a Western presence should be maintained in this most volatile region for all time.
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SPRINGBOK CLUB NEWS
The Springbok Club staged a trip to the National Portrait Gallery in London last month, where those attending were able to view a special exhibition of pictures of personalities connected to World War One, a well as viewing pictures of leading figures from the Anglo-Boer War and the Imperial era in general. After concluding the visit to the National Portrait Gallery the Springbok Club party adjourned to the near-by Salisbury pub (named after the 3rd Marquis of Salisbury, after whom Salisbury, the capital of Rhodesia, was named), for a convivial ending to the day.
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The Springbok Club has been most honoured to be invited to participate in this year's "Raising of the Flag" ceremony in Norfolk. This annual event has been staged for over 30 years in order to mark the anniversary of the founding of Rhodesia in September 1890, and consists of speeches about Rhodesia, a short religious ceremony, music from a brass band, and an actual re-enactment of the raising of the Union Flag at Salisbury in 1890, which will be followed by the singing of the Rhodesian National Anthem and the firing of a 21-gun salute. After the ceremony tea and light refreshments will be served.
The official invitation to this event reads as follows :-
“This year‘s ‘Raising of the Flag’ Memorial Gathering, celebrating the day that Southern Rhodesia, ‘The Jewel of the Crown’, was founded, will be held on Sunday the 14th September at 2.30 pm [14.30 hs] at Southrepps Hall, Norfolk, NR11 8TG.”
Southrepps Hall is situated just outside the village of Southrepps, to the east of the A149 halfway between North Walsham and Cromer. The nearest railway station is Gunton, which is only a short taxi-journey away.
We hope that as many members and supporters of the Springbok Club as possible will be able to attend this most uplifting event, especially all those living in East Anglia. Although not essential, it would be most helpful for those organising this ceremony if all those wishing to attend could e-mail us in advance to confirm their intentions.
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In October the Springbok Club will be staging a meeting which will be addressed by a leading member of the organization who has recently returned from a professional contract in the “new” South Africa, who will tell something about the true conditions currently prevailing there. More precise details will be given in next month’s SCN.
In November the Springbok Club plans to stage its annual UDI Day celebration buffet, at which there will be a guest speaker with strong Rhodesian connections.
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The Kent Branch of the Springbok Club will be organising a pub-gathering in Canterbury, and a trip to see some of the historical sites of the Medway Towns towards the end of the year. Fuller details will be given in future editions of the SCN.
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SWINTON CIRCLE NEWS
Unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding about the dates when the anticipated guest speaker was next planning to be in the UK, and as it alas proved impossible to obtain a replacement guest speaker at such short notice, the Swinton Circle’s planned August meeting had to be cancelled at the last minute. The guest speaker in question (a former Conservative MP) will still be addressing a Swinton Circle however, probably in December.
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The Swinton Circle will be giving its full support to New Britain’s big “Keep the United Kingdom United” rally in London later this month, the full details of which are given in the New Britain News section below.
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In October the Swinton Circle will be holding its 2014 AGM, after which an interesting guest speaker will give a short keynote talk, and in November the Swinton Circle will welcome a sitting MP as guest speaker.
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Membership fees and donations to the Swinton Circle can be made via PayPal on the organisation’s web-site home page at www.swintoncircle.co.uk - simply 'click' on the line "PayPal = the safer, easier way to pay online" at the bottom of the home page; if the error message "This content cannot be displayed in a Frame" appears then simply 'click' on the line "Open this Content in a New Window".
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NEW BRITAIN NEWS
Details regarding New Britain’s long-awaited “Keep the United Kingdom United” rally have now been finalized, and are as follows :-
Date : Saturday 13th September 2014
Assembly point : Paternoster Square, next to St.Paul’s Cathedral
Assembly time : Between 11.30 hrs and 12.00 noon
At approximately 12.00 hrs the procession will march off through the streets of the City of London to St.Sepulchre’s Church where the rally will take place, which will feature bagpipes, Scottish dancers and speeches by two prominent supporters of the Better Together campaign.
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LATEST MESSAGE FROM THE SANWILD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
We have recently received the following message from the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary :-
“Dear SanWild friends and donors,
“All is well at SanWild as a year reaches its halfway mark. On our side we are working very hard to continue to help as many wild animals in need as we possibly can. The challenges remain huge and our story continues to play out as a David versus Goliath situation. Facing overwhelming odds stacked not only against us but also against the wild animals we care for so deeply. Odds brought on by a modern world where mankind so easily choose to forget the many challenges and dangers that face wild animals across the planet.
“We however do stand proud of what we have achieved with your help and ongoing support. You more than anyone know that each and every animal at SanWild has a story to tell. A story of danger, abuse, and an eventual rescue and safety, and for the role you played in this we will be forever in your debt!
“We have come to know that when it really gets difficult for us to continue to provide the ongoing love and support our rescued animals need we can come to you and you will help us. Please note that we do not abuse the support and love you have given to us over the years and if and when we ask for financial support we are really in desperate need of this help. As no sponsorship has yet been secured for our large predators in particular we need once again now to ask for your financial help.”
To contact SanWild in this regard please visit their web-site at : www.sanwild.org
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SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY SIDES AT SARACENS
We have recently been contacted by Saracens RFC who have told us about two upcoming matches which they will be playing against South African opposition. The details are as follows :-
1) Sunday 9th of November 2014 against Western Province Stormers
2) Saturday 31st of January 2015. against Northern Transvaal Blue Bulls
Saracens are offering the Springbok Club £25.00 tickets for these matches at only £20.00 – though we must obtain parties of at least 10 people in order to take advantage of these offers. In order to plan arrangements for these games we really need to know numbers as soon as possible, so if you are interested in attending please contact us accordingly at: springbk@netcomuk.co.uk
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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
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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.
Trish also writes romantic suspense and romantic comedy fiction. www.trishjaxon.com
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"P.K. VAN DER BYL - AFRICAN STATESMAN" by Hannes Wessels
ISBN: 978-1-920143-49-7 / paperback / illustrated
Retail price: R250.00, Web-site price: R200.00 + postage
The narrative gives the reader an overview of the history of the White man in southern Africa with detailed emphasis on the Rhodesian story through the life and times of PK van der Byl, one of the major players in a political drama that ended in the accession to power of Robert Mugabe under the auspices of the British government. By his very nature PK was controversial and confrontational. This account is likely to give offence to some because it portrays him as bluntly as he was in real life. Much can be contested about PK van der Byl but few will dispute he was an extremely colourful character with a devilish sense of humour. This memoir covers his life with a full flourish while doing nothing to detract from the seriousness of the international political and military conflict in which he was engaged. The reader will glean new information on a highly controversial subject and emerge with a more sympathetic understanding of what PK van der Byl and his colleagues did and strove for. The human tragedy that has followed the removal from power of Ian Smith and his Rhodesian Front party will almost certainly force the reader to deal with some uncomfortable conclusions, of value to anyone sincere about grappling with the volatile and deeply troubling challenges that confront all Africans today.
This book and others of interest can be purchased from 30 Degrees South via their web-site: www.30degreessouth.co.za
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"BLUE WATCH" by Gwyn Fford-Osborne
Rhodesia, in 1975 and a bloody vicious civil war is at its height. A war between the White minority supported by the Black majority and the ZAPU and ZANU terrorist groups, supported by Zambia and Mozambique. Kensington, a small town in the farming belt has been the subject of several terrorist attacks but with only a small police force for defence, the local T.A. unit having been called up for service on the Zambia border the situation appears grim. Until Iffor Meredith turns up on a pilgrimage to meet up with his wife and son of his old army buddy, recently murdered by terrorists. A deadly ambush on the "Dix" family and his escape from a land mine attack makes Iffor determined to offer resistance of some form or other to the terrorists. His application to join the Rhodesian Army has been accepted and he sets about forming a small militia. With all the fit men already on call up, who can he recruit from. Then he's invited to a darts match at the Moth Club and meets up with the remnants of the town's Fire Brigade, the men considered too old for call up. Blue Watch.
Available from: www.diadembooks.com
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CREST PUBLISHING BOOKS
Crest Publishing retails books by Glenn MacAskill (ex-BSAP Special Branch) entitled "King's Gold", "Crime Lords", "Kill Victoria!", "Hunt the Assassin" and "MacKinnon's Diamond", and by the late Michael Bowery including "Canham's Run", "The Sligo Piper" "Kill the President", "Al Qaeda Armageddon" and his autobiography "Shred when Read", as well as novels by David Ruppert entitled "The Seven Watchmen" and "The Greater Glory" - all of which will be of great interest to South Africans and ex-Rhodesians.
For more information, 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" - DVD versions of the book about the history of the RLI
Now available from Msasa Enterprises. Contact: msasasa@iafrica.com or UK tel.: 07732 685400.
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“AGAINST ALL ODDS” by George Wrigley
This book contains forty-five stories, which give snapshots of a fun-filled and adventurous, flying career. They describe heart-stopping episodes, narrow escapes from disaster, aircraft accidents, foolhardy escapades and vivid descriptions of fascinating characters along the way.
To order a copy contact George Wrigley at: wrig@bsatt.com
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
No.190 : Mr. CHRIS MACQUET of Durban.
Chris Macquet was a very interesting person. He was evidently descended from a Highlander who fought for the young pretender Charles Stuart during the 1745 rebellion, but who then fled with him to France where his name was Francosized from MacKay to Macquet. Either his father or his grandfather emigrated to South Africa where their family became patriotic English-speaking South Africans. Chris himself was a prominent amateur cricketer in Durban, where he bravely campaigned against attempts to change the traditional structure of cricket in Natal. Quietly-spoken, he was a devoted family man, but tragically lost a son to leukemia at a very young age. It would be interested to learn whether he ever managed to escape to the UK – or to France.
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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH
We have recently been informed about a very interesting and inspiring talk given by Daniel Hannan MEP at the Oxford Union, in which he expertly explained why socialism doesn’t work. A YouTube video of his masterful contribution to this Oxford Union debate can be found at :-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrivBvZ--SQ&list=FLIjuLiLHdFxYtFmWlbTGQRQ
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
DARK AGES
Sir,
I have read with the same horror as all civilised people of the horrific honour killing murder of a father's own daughter in Pakistan, the police ignoring rape in India, and the pregnant woman sentenced to death in two years' time and 100 lashes for the heinous crimes of marrying a non-Muslim and sleeping with him. I cannot forebear to point out that, in the days of the “wicked” imperialist British Empire, this kind of thing would never have been tolerated by our old District Commissioners. I also fear that lax immigration and multi-culturalist policies have brought it to Britain; we all know about the vile practice of female genital mutilation, which has never been a British custom.
Yours etc.,
M. Taylor, London, U.K.
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FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
Sir,
I regret we cannot come to an agreement with the USA and the UK. I am surprised how wise and cunning Francois Holland, the president of France, is. He can save relations both with the EU and President Putin. Let that be a good lesson to all of us. Some evil-minded “lilliputs” as Estonia, Lithuania, Kosovo (a country of Muslim bastards), Georgia etc. always harm the EU and European nations. They behave like anti-Russia gnomes and often spoil good affairs between Russia, France, GB, Spain and Italy. On the other hand, China is not a good neighbour for Russians. We DO NOT TRUST THEM at all. It is like a terrible witchcraft. Our leaders are like bewitched - they cannot see the common real enemy and harm each other.
Look: Putin and Medvedev ALLOWED the West to fight against Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan. Russia did not interfere (only weak protests for the public opinion, no counter-action). The West “Gullivers” (the USA, GB and France) have the right to control some territories abroad. We recognize this right. But Russian leaders would like to control other territories as Crimea or East Ukraine.Eastern “Gulliver” has the cudgel too. Thus, we can control different regions and even HELP each other. As you remember your regrettable history, the French and the British fought against each other for the colonies all over the world for a long time. And what is the result? F*cking Negroes and other aborigines banished you all! It was an absolutely idiotic situation. You had to HELP each other to fight AGAINST aborigines and control them! Where is the British Empire? Where is the French Africa?
We do not learn by trial and errors. Muslims and the Chinese will defeat the USA and Russia. We are bewitched. I will pray to God we will be friends and allies, not competitors. Russians still sympathize with the Brits, French and even Americans. We hope our leaders will not be able to make mischief between us.
Yours etc.,
Boris Grig, Kaliningrad, Russia
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TERRITORIAL DISPUTE
Sir,
I read with anger in August’s SCN how Miss Elizabeth Anderson of the “Friends of the British Overseas Territories” had stabbed you in the back so terribly by pulling out from her speaking commitment at short notice. It seems to me that she was probably got at by that old scoundrel Allan Robertson. Shame on Miss Anderson for giving in to his pressure!
Yours etc.,
“Loyalist”, London, U.K.
[ Miss Anderson denied that she was “got at” by anyone to renege on her promise to speak at July’s Swinton Circle meeting. However we know as a fact that the wretched Robertson has practiced similar dirty-tricks in the past. – Ed.]
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MIKE HART-JONES – THE MAN BEHIND THE MYTH
During informal discussions following last month’s Springbok Club event the name of Mike Hart-Jones came up, and we were asked what we knew about him. We thought therefore that other supporters and readers of the SCN might be interested to learn of our experiences regarding this most charismatic but controversial character.
Michael Hart-Jones was born at Vereeniging in the late 1940s into a family of English-speaking South Africans. He moved to the UK in the early 1960s however, where he worked for the BBC in television production, and also met and married his first wife Gwen, who at that time was a ballerina with the Royal Ballet Company.
He emigrated to Rhodesia a few years later, where his precocious talents enabled him to become Head of Programmes at RTV whilst still only in his 20s. He then became a well-known name in Rhodesia, but together with a number of other leading RTV officials he resigned in the late 1970s because he opposed government interference to push a “pro-settlement” agenda. He then founded a company called “Rhodesian International Productions” together with the popular RTV presenter Derek Partridge, which aimed to present Rhodesia’s case to the outside world, and to campaign against any sell-out to the terrorists. They produced a couple of excellent pamphlets entitled “Rhodesia as it really is” which argued Rhodesia’s case, but alas a planned film which they aimed to produce under the same title was never completed because of the lack of funds.
Hart-Jones and Partridge aligned themselves fully with the Save Rhodesia Campaign, speaking on the same platform as the renowned American political writer Gary Allen (author of “None dare call it conspiracy”) during his tour of South Africa under the SRC auspices in 1978. Following the fall of Rhodesia in 1979, however, Partridge moved on to the United States, but Hart-Jones moved to Durban, where he maintained his support for the SRC’s successor organization, the South Africa First Campaign.
It was then alas that Hart-Jones’s life started to go wrong. He did not try to join SABC as might have been expected, as he knew many ex-RTV people who were now employed there who he didn’t have much confidence in. Instead he took on a job as manager of the La Lucia Squash Courts, a position which he was quite clearly unqualified for, but which was also far beneath his talents. He also at this time started to have a number of quite open affairs, the most famous being with Jessica Jones, the acclaimed singer.
He next founded his own film making company which he called “Anglo Film Productions” (with seemingly no fear of breaching the copyright of the Anglo-American conglomerate!), and offered employment positions to a number of associates who he had met through the SRC in this company. Warnings were soon received, however, that he had become a complete “Walter Mitty”, with some even terming him a “con-man” – though probably the phrase “a loveable rogue” would be more appropriate. His most audacious con-trick at this time was to convince officials of the Durban Turf Club (he came from a family of horse-racing enthusiasts) that he was making a film about the Durban July, and as a result managed to obtain complimentary tickets for himself and a number of mythical production assistants for the Owners and Trainers’ Enclosure at the 1979 July meeting – even though no film was being made! The company went out of existence shortly after this, and those whom he gave “employment” to never got paid a cent – apart of course from free admission to the Durban July! This of course left a very nasty taste in the mouth, and he completely disappeared from the scene in Durban shortly after this.
The next which we heard about Mike Hart-Jones was in the early 1990s, when mention of him being in the UK was made in the Rhodesians Worldwide magazine. A ‘phone call shortly after this warned us not to touch him however, as he had evidently been up to his old con-tricks again in his new country. We did manage to make telephonic contact with him however, but were alarmed by his implication that he had completely changed his political views from the Right to the extreme Left. He also revealed that he had re-married in the UK and had a young child by this second marriage. We agreed to meet up again, more for “old times sake” than anything, in spite of several misgivings, but he significantly never turned up for the agreed rendezvous - and he subsequently never even had the common decency to ‘phone or re-contact us in any way to apologise for letting us down. This was the last occasion that we had any direct contact with him.
It was therefore a complete surprise a few years ago when BBC2’s Newsnight programme ran an item about a con-man named “Michael Jones” who was evidently trying to market some magic potion made out of goats’ serum which could cure AIDS, which had been endorsed by both the King of Swaziland and (briefly!) by Richard E. Grant the actor. When “Michael Jones” was button-holed by the Newsnight reporter he turned out of course to be none other than Mike Hart-Jones! A few months later, moreover, Newsnight carried a further report about this same “Michael Jones”, this time after it had been revealed that he’d sold a huge uncut diamond for a massive sum to a Shropshire building company (one of Mike Hart-Jones’ proudest achievements was a documentary series which he produced for RTV about the diamond industry), which had been heavily queried by their accountants when they saw such an illogical large entry entered in their books!
Mike Hart-Jones has been a tragic character therefore. Hugely talented and someone who rose to the top of his profession at an outstandingly early age, but who sadly couldn’t cope with life when he came down in the world and no longer commanded the same fame and prestige which he once possessed. A con-man par excellence – but one who incredibly never seemed to get caught! In spite of the reprehensible nature of many of his activities, we’re afraid that we still can’t help admiring his sheer audacity!
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See you again next month!
September 2014 edition
The world is probably currently facing the greatest danger of global military conflict since the end of WWII. There are two areas of confrontation which could quickly escalate into wider conflicts involving all Western powers. The first is the civil war in the Ukraine, and the second is of course the ongoing power-struggle in the tinderbox of the Middle East. These two conflicts need to be handled in very different ways however.
As far as the Ukraine is concerned, it should always be borne in mind that apart from a brief period as a Nazi-puppet state the Ukraine had never been an independent country prior to the break-up of the Soviet Union. It was part of the Tsar’s “All the Russias”, and indeed Kiev was once capital of Russia itself. Ethnically, linguistically and religiously the Slavic Ukrainians are the same people as the Slavic Russians, so all logic therefore confirms that they should form one nation-state, together with their other identical neighbouring state of Belarus.
It should also be remembered that Russia is currently facing exactly the same enemies as the great nation-states of Western Europe are facing, namely expansionist fundamental Islam and interference from the German-dominated EU. The break-up of the other nations of Europe has for long been part of the German-EU plan, firstly in the east as happened in not only Russia but also in Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, but now increasingly in the West, as current most worrying attempts to separate Scotland from the centuries-old United Kingdom illustrates. Russia is therefore our friend, and if re-unification with the Ukraine can come about then it is going to make it far more difficult for the German-EU to succeed in their plans to carve-up the great nation-states of Western Europe such as Britain and Belgium etc.. Western governments should therefore support the so-called “rebels” in the Ukraine who wish to be re-united with mother Russia, and not the fascist-influenced Kiev Government.
The fault for the current dangerous situation in the Middle East can probably be traced back to the aftermath of the First Gulf War in 1991, when after liberating Kuwait the West simply withdrew, rather than continuing the military offensive to Baghdad in order to remove the tyrant Saddam Hussein and his detestable Ba’athist regime. If this had been done then there would not have been any subsequent suppression of the Shi’ite Iraqis and Kurds, so that internal conflict in the post-Saddam Hussein Iraq would probably never have taken place; there would have been no 9/11, and in all probability no 7/7, Bali or Madrid terrorist atrocities either; there would have been no necessity for a Second Gulf War, and ISIS/ISIL would thereby not have been given the breeding-ground to emerge. There is no point in going back over history however. All we should be concerned about is the future.
We laid out our opinions about the current crisis in Syria and Iraq in the June edition of the SCN, and see no reason to change these opinions now. In a nutshell, the West should encourage a rapprochement between the Assad Government and the Syrian National Council, and then to intervene with them, the Kurdish Peshmerga and whatever form of new Iraqi government emerges in order to crush ISIS/ISIL ruthlessly – just as ruthlessly as the Israelis have attacked ISIS/ISIL’s fellow-Islamic terrorists Hamas in Gaza. After that, however, the West must not make the same mistake as was made in the early 1990s and the early 2010s and to withdraw their forces far too early – indeed we would advocate that a Western presence should be maintained in this most volatile region for all time.
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SPRINGBOK CLUB NEWS
The Springbok Club staged a trip to the National Portrait Gallery in London last month, where those attending were able to view a special exhibition of pictures of personalities connected to World War One, a well as viewing pictures of leading figures from the Anglo-Boer War and the Imperial era in general. After concluding the visit to the National Portrait Gallery the Springbok Club party adjourned to the near-by Salisbury pub (named after the 3rd Marquis of Salisbury, after whom Salisbury, the capital of Rhodesia, was named), for a convivial ending to the day.
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The Springbok Club has been most honoured to be invited to participate in this year's "Raising of the Flag" ceremony in Norfolk. This annual event has been staged for over 30 years in order to mark the anniversary of the founding of Rhodesia in September 1890, and consists of speeches about Rhodesia, a short religious ceremony, music from a brass band, and an actual re-enactment of the raising of the Union Flag at Salisbury in 1890, which will be followed by the singing of the Rhodesian National Anthem and the firing of a 21-gun salute. After the ceremony tea and light refreshments will be served.
The official invitation to this event reads as follows :-
“This year‘s ‘Raising of the Flag’ Memorial Gathering, celebrating the day that Southern Rhodesia, ‘The Jewel of the Crown’, was founded, will be held on Sunday the 14th September at 2.30 pm [14.30 hs] at Southrepps Hall, Norfolk, NR11 8TG.”
Southrepps Hall is situated just outside the village of Southrepps, to the east of the A149 halfway between North Walsham and Cromer. The nearest railway station is Gunton, which is only a short taxi-journey away.
We hope that as many members and supporters of the Springbok Club as possible will be able to attend this most uplifting event, especially all those living in East Anglia. Although not essential, it would be most helpful for those organising this ceremony if all those wishing to attend could e-mail us in advance to confirm their intentions.
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In October the Springbok Club will be staging a meeting which will be addressed by a leading member of the organization who has recently returned from a professional contract in the “new” South Africa, who will tell something about the true conditions currently prevailing there. More precise details will be given in next month’s SCN.
In November the Springbok Club plans to stage its annual UDI Day celebration buffet, at which there will be a guest speaker with strong Rhodesian connections.
----------------------------
The Kent Branch of the Springbok Club will be organising a pub-gathering in Canterbury, and a trip to see some of the historical sites of the Medway Towns towards the end of the year. Fuller details will be given in future editions of the SCN.
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SWINTON CIRCLE NEWS
Unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding about the dates when the anticipated guest speaker was next planning to be in the UK, and as it alas proved impossible to obtain a replacement guest speaker at such short notice, the Swinton Circle’s planned August meeting had to be cancelled at the last minute. The guest speaker in question (a former Conservative MP) will still be addressing a Swinton Circle however, probably in December.
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The Swinton Circle will be giving its full support to New Britain’s big “Keep the United Kingdom United” rally in London later this month, the full details of which are given in the New Britain News section below.
----------------------------
In October the Swinton Circle will be holding its 2014 AGM, after which an interesting guest speaker will give a short keynote talk, and in November the Swinton Circle will welcome a sitting MP as guest speaker.
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Membership fees and donations to the Swinton Circle can be made via PayPal on the organisation’s web-site home page at www.swintoncircle.co.uk - simply 'click' on the line "PayPal = the safer, easier way to pay online" at the bottom of the home page; if the error message "This content cannot be displayed in a Frame" appears then simply 'click' on the line "Open this Content in a New Window".
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NEW BRITAIN NEWS
Details regarding New Britain’s long-awaited “Keep the United Kingdom United” rally have now been finalized, and are as follows :-
Date : Saturday 13th September 2014
Assembly point : Paternoster Square, next to St.Paul’s Cathedral
Assembly time : Between 11.30 hrs and 12.00 noon
At approximately 12.00 hrs the procession will march off through the streets of the City of London to St.Sepulchre’s Church where the rally will take place, which will feature bagpipes, Scottish dancers and speeches by two prominent supporters of the Better Together campaign.
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LATEST MESSAGE FROM THE SANWILD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
We have recently received the following message from the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary :-
“Dear SanWild friends and donors,
“All is well at SanWild as a year reaches its halfway mark. On our side we are working very hard to continue to help as many wild animals in need as we possibly can. The challenges remain huge and our story continues to play out as a David versus Goliath situation. Facing overwhelming odds stacked not only against us but also against the wild animals we care for so deeply. Odds brought on by a modern world where mankind so easily choose to forget the many challenges and dangers that face wild animals across the planet.
“We however do stand proud of what we have achieved with your help and ongoing support. You more than anyone know that each and every animal at SanWild has a story to tell. A story of danger, abuse, and an eventual rescue and safety, and for the role you played in this we will be forever in your debt!
“We have come to know that when it really gets difficult for us to continue to provide the ongoing love and support our rescued animals need we can come to you and you will help us. Please note that we do not abuse the support and love you have given to us over the years and if and when we ask for financial support we are really in desperate need of this help. As no sponsorship has yet been secured for our large predators in particular we need once again now to ask for your financial help.”
To contact SanWild in this regard please visit their web-site at : www.sanwild.org
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SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY SIDES AT SARACENS
We have recently been contacted by Saracens RFC who have told us about two upcoming matches which they will be playing against South African opposition. The details are as follows :-
1) Sunday 9th of November 2014 against Western Province Stormers
2) Saturday 31st of January 2015. against Northern Transvaal Blue Bulls
Saracens are offering the Springbok Club £25.00 tickets for these matches at only £20.00 – though we must obtain parties of at least 10 people in order to take advantage of these offers. In order to plan arrangements for these games we really need to know numbers as soon as possible, so if you are interested in attending please contact us accordingly at: springbk@netcomuk.co.uk
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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
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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.
Trish also writes romantic suspense and romantic comedy fiction. www.trishjaxon.com
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"P.K. VAN DER BYL - AFRICAN STATESMAN" by Hannes Wessels
ISBN: 978-1-920143-49-7 / paperback / illustrated
Retail price: R250.00, Web-site price: R200.00 + postage
The narrative gives the reader an overview of the history of the White man in southern Africa with detailed emphasis on the Rhodesian story through the life and times of PK van der Byl, one of the major players in a political drama that ended in the accession to power of Robert Mugabe under the auspices of the British government. By his very nature PK was controversial and confrontational. This account is likely to give offence to some because it portrays him as bluntly as he was in real life. Much can be contested about PK van der Byl but few will dispute he was an extremely colourful character with a devilish sense of humour. This memoir covers his life with a full flourish while doing nothing to detract from the seriousness of the international political and military conflict in which he was engaged. The reader will glean new information on a highly controversial subject and emerge with a more sympathetic understanding of what PK van der Byl and his colleagues did and strove for. The human tragedy that has followed the removal from power of Ian Smith and his Rhodesian Front party will almost certainly force the reader to deal with some uncomfortable conclusions, of value to anyone sincere about grappling with the volatile and deeply troubling challenges that confront all Africans today.
This book and others of interest can be purchased from 30 Degrees South via their web-site: www.30degreessouth.co.za
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"BLUE WATCH" by Gwyn Fford-Osborne
Rhodesia, in 1975 and a bloody vicious civil war is at its height. A war between the White minority supported by the Black majority and the ZAPU and ZANU terrorist groups, supported by Zambia and Mozambique. Kensington, a small town in the farming belt has been the subject of several terrorist attacks but with only a small police force for defence, the local T.A. unit having been called up for service on the Zambia border the situation appears grim. Until Iffor Meredith turns up on a pilgrimage to meet up with his wife and son of his old army buddy, recently murdered by terrorists. A deadly ambush on the "Dix" family and his escape from a land mine attack makes Iffor determined to offer resistance of some form or other to the terrorists. His application to join the Rhodesian Army has been accepted and he sets about forming a small militia. With all the fit men already on call up, who can he recruit from. Then he's invited to a darts match at the Moth Club and meets up with the remnants of the town's Fire Brigade, the men considered too old for call up. Blue Watch.
Available from: www.diadembooks.com
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CREST PUBLISHING BOOKS
Crest Publishing retails books by Glenn MacAskill (ex-BSAP Special Branch) entitled "King's Gold", "Crime Lords", "Kill Victoria!", "Hunt the Assassin" and "MacKinnon's Diamond", and by the late Michael Bowery including "Canham's Run", "The Sligo Piper" "Kill the President", "Al Qaeda Armageddon" and his autobiography "Shred when Read", as well as novels by David Ruppert entitled "The Seven Watchmen" and "The Greater Glory" - all of which will be of great interest to South Africans and ex-Rhodesians.
For more information, 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" - DVD versions of the book about the history of the RLI
Now available from Msasa Enterprises. Contact: msasasa@iafrica.com or UK tel.: 07732 685400.
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“AGAINST ALL ODDS” by George Wrigley
This book contains forty-five stories, which give snapshots of a fun-filled and adventurous, flying career. They describe heart-stopping episodes, narrow escapes from disaster, aircraft accidents, foolhardy escapades and vivid descriptions of fascinating characters along the way.
To order a copy contact George Wrigley at: wrig@bsatt.com
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
No.190 : Mr. CHRIS MACQUET of Durban.
Chris Macquet was a very interesting person. He was evidently descended from a Highlander who fought for the young pretender Charles Stuart during the 1745 rebellion, but who then fled with him to France where his name was Francosized from MacKay to Macquet. Either his father or his grandfather emigrated to South Africa where their family became patriotic English-speaking South Africans. Chris himself was a prominent amateur cricketer in Durban, where he bravely campaigned against attempts to change the traditional structure of cricket in Natal. Quietly-spoken, he was a devoted family man, but tragically lost a son to leukemia at a very young age. It would be interested to learn whether he ever managed to escape to the UK – or to France.
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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH
We have recently been informed about a very interesting and inspiring talk given by Daniel Hannan MEP at the Oxford Union, in which he expertly explained why socialism doesn’t work. A YouTube video of his masterful contribution to this Oxford Union debate can be found at :-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrivBvZ--SQ&list=FLIjuLiLHdFxYtFmWlbTGQRQ
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
DARK AGES
Sir,
I have read with the same horror as all civilised people of the horrific honour killing murder of a father's own daughter in Pakistan, the police ignoring rape in India, and the pregnant woman sentenced to death in two years' time and 100 lashes for the heinous crimes of marrying a non-Muslim and sleeping with him. I cannot forebear to point out that, in the days of the “wicked” imperialist British Empire, this kind of thing would never have been tolerated by our old District Commissioners. I also fear that lax immigration and multi-culturalist policies have brought it to Britain; we all know about the vile practice of female genital mutilation, which has never been a British custom.
Yours etc.,
M. Taylor, London, U.K.
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FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
Sir,
I regret we cannot come to an agreement with the USA and the UK. I am surprised how wise and cunning Francois Holland, the president of France, is. He can save relations both with the EU and President Putin. Let that be a good lesson to all of us. Some evil-minded “lilliputs” as Estonia, Lithuania, Kosovo (a country of Muslim bastards), Georgia etc. always harm the EU and European nations. They behave like anti-Russia gnomes and often spoil good affairs between Russia, France, GB, Spain and Italy. On the other hand, China is not a good neighbour for Russians. We DO NOT TRUST THEM at all. It is like a terrible witchcraft. Our leaders are like bewitched - they cannot see the common real enemy and harm each other.
Look: Putin and Medvedev ALLOWED the West to fight against Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan. Russia did not interfere (only weak protests for the public opinion, no counter-action). The West “Gullivers” (the USA, GB and France) have the right to control some territories abroad. We recognize this right. But Russian leaders would like to control other territories as Crimea or East Ukraine.Eastern “Gulliver” has the cudgel too. Thus, we can control different regions and even HELP each other. As you remember your regrettable history, the French and the British fought against each other for the colonies all over the world for a long time. And what is the result? F*cking Negroes and other aborigines banished you all! It was an absolutely idiotic situation. You had to HELP each other to fight AGAINST aborigines and control them! Where is the British Empire? Where is the French Africa?
We do not learn by trial and errors. Muslims and the Chinese will defeat the USA and Russia. We are bewitched. I will pray to God we will be friends and allies, not competitors. Russians still sympathize with the Brits, French and even Americans. We hope our leaders will not be able to make mischief between us.
Yours etc.,
Boris Grig, Kaliningrad, Russia
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TERRITORIAL DISPUTE
Sir,
I read with anger in August’s SCN how Miss Elizabeth Anderson of the “Friends of the British Overseas Territories” had stabbed you in the back so terribly by pulling out from her speaking commitment at short notice. It seems to me that she was probably got at by that old scoundrel Allan Robertson. Shame on Miss Anderson for giving in to his pressure!
Yours etc.,
“Loyalist”, London, U.K.
[ Miss Anderson denied that she was “got at” by anyone to renege on her promise to speak at July’s Swinton Circle meeting. However we know as a fact that the wretched Robertson has practiced similar dirty-tricks in the past. – Ed.]
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MIKE HART-JONES – THE MAN BEHIND THE MYTH
During informal discussions following last month’s Springbok Club event the name of Mike Hart-Jones came up, and we were asked what we knew about him. We thought therefore that other supporters and readers of the SCN might be interested to learn of our experiences regarding this most charismatic but controversial character.
Michael Hart-Jones was born at Vereeniging in the late 1940s into a family of English-speaking South Africans. He moved to the UK in the early 1960s however, where he worked for the BBC in television production, and also met and married his first wife Gwen, who at that time was a ballerina with the Royal Ballet Company.
He emigrated to Rhodesia a few years later, where his precocious talents enabled him to become Head of Programmes at RTV whilst still only in his 20s. He then became a well-known name in Rhodesia, but together with a number of other leading RTV officials he resigned in the late 1970s because he opposed government interference to push a “pro-settlement” agenda. He then founded a company called “Rhodesian International Productions” together with the popular RTV presenter Derek Partridge, which aimed to present Rhodesia’s case to the outside world, and to campaign against any sell-out to the terrorists. They produced a couple of excellent pamphlets entitled “Rhodesia as it really is” which argued Rhodesia’s case, but alas a planned film which they aimed to produce under the same title was never completed because of the lack of funds.
Hart-Jones and Partridge aligned themselves fully with the Save Rhodesia Campaign, speaking on the same platform as the renowned American political writer Gary Allen (author of “None dare call it conspiracy”) during his tour of South Africa under the SRC auspices in 1978. Following the fall of Rhodesia in 1979, however, Partridge moved on to the United States, but Hart-Jones moved to Durban, where he maintained his support for the SRC’s successor organization, the South Africa First Campaign.
It was then alas that Hart-Jones’s life started to go wrong. He did not try to join SABC as might have been expected, as he knew many ex-RTV people who were now employed there who he didn’t have much confidence in. Instead he took on a job as manager of the La Lucia Squash Courts, a position which he was quite clearly unqualified for, but which was also far beneath his talents. He also at this time started to have a number of quite open affairs, the most famous being with Jessica Jones, the acclaimed singer.
He next founded his own film making company which he called “Anglo Film Productions” (with seemingly no fear of breaching the copyright of the Anglo-American conglomerate!), and offered employment positions to a number of associates who he had met through the SRC in this company. Warnings were soon received, however, that he had become a complete “Walter Mitty”, with some even terming him a “con-man” – though probably the phrase “a loveable rogue” would be more appropriate. His most audacious con-trick at this time was to convince officials of the Durban Turf Club (he came from a family of horse-racing enthusiasts) that he was making a film about the Durban July, and as a result managed to obtain complimentary tickets for himself and a number of mythical production assistants for the Owners and Trainers’ Enclosure at the 1979 July meeting – even though no film was being made! The company went out of existence shortly after this, and those whom he gave “employment” to never got paid a cent – apart of course from free admission to the Durban July! This of course left a very nasty taste in the mouth, and he completely disappeared from the scene in Durban shortly after this.
The next which we heard about Mike Hart-Jones was in the early 1990s, when mention of him being in the UK was made in the Rhodesians Worldwide magazine. A ‘phone call shortly after this warned us not to touch him however, as he had evidently been up to his old con-tricks again in his new country. We did manage to make telephonic contact with him however, but were alarmed by his implication that he had completely changed his political views from the Right to the extreme Left. He also revealed that he had re-married in the UK and had a young child by this second marriage. We agreed to meet up again, more for “old times sake” than anything, in spite of several misgivings, but he significantly never turned up for the agreed rendezvous - and he subsequently never even had the common decency to ‘phone or re-contact us in any way to apologise for letting us down. This was the last occasion that we had any direct contact with him.
It was therefore a complete surprise a few years ago when BBC2’s Newsnight programme ran an item about a con-man named “Michael Jones” who was evidently trying to market some magic potion made out of goats’ serum which could cure AIDS, which had been endorsed by both the King of Swaziland and (briefly!) by Richard E. Grant the actor. When “Michael Jones” was button-holed by the Newsnight reporter he turned out of course to be none other than Mike Hart-Jones! A few months later, moreover, Newsnight carried a further report about this same “Michael Jones”, this time after it had been revealed that he’d sold a huge uncut diamond for a massive sum to a Shropshire building company (one of Mike Hart-Jones’ proudest achievements was a documentary series which he produced for RTV about the diamond industry), which had been heavily queried by their accountants when they saw such an illogical large entry entered in their books!
Mike Hart-Jones has been a tragic character therefore. Hugely talented and someone who rose to the top of his profession at an outstandingly early age, but who sadly couldn’t cope with life when he came down in the world and no longer commanded the same fame and prestige which he once possessed. A con-man par excellence – but one who incredibly never seemed to get caught! In spite of the reprehensible nature of many of his activities, we’re afraid that we still can’t help admiring his sheer audacity!
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See you again next month!
Monday, 18 August 2014
August 2014 Edition.
SPRINGBOK CYBER NEWSLETTER
August 2014 edition
Thursday 18th September, the date of the Scottish Referendum, will be the most important – and potentially most catastrophic – date in British constitutional history since 1st January 1922, when 26 counties of Ireland were allowed to breakaway from the United Kingdom to form the tragic Republic of Ireland.
Although the Kingdoms of Scotland and England were not officially unified until the Act of Union in 1707, the two former countries had been de facto united since 1603, when King James VI of Scotland inherited the English throne and declared himself King James I of GREAT BRITAIN. The Union Flag was then designed and accepted as the official flag of the nation, and to all intents and purposes the border ceased to exist. In actual fact, however, the entire British Isles had been intertwined for centuries earlier, even prior to the Roman era when Britannia was regarded as a single entity.
One only has to look at a map to see that the British Isles are one nation geographically. The British people also consist of the same basic ethnic stock, and both economically and culturally that which unites the British nation is far more fundamental than any regional differences. Furthermore, the United Kingdom has been one of the greatest success stories in world history, being the cradle of both the industrial and agricultural revolutions, and founding the greatest Empire which the world has ever seen. It also spearheaded the fight to rid the world of Communist, Fascist and Islamic tyrannies, and has been in the forefront of free-market economics and technological advances.
In view of these facts it should have been unthinkable that any part of the United Kingdom should seek to breakaway – indeed up until just a few short decades ago the idea of Scottish “independence” would have been dismissed out of hand as a fantasy. The reason why such a frightening state of affairs has come about is complex, but we would contend that it has been caused by the post-WWII growth of socialism, the surrender of Empire, and the headlong rush into the European Union. In this regard it should be remembered that the powers behind the EU have always sought to destroy the unity of the great nation-states of Europe – and not just Britain!
There is an old axiom that the difference between a patriot and a nationalist is that patriots love their own country, whereas nationalists hate everybody else’s. Although they may not hate every other country, whenever the leaders of the SNP speak, particularly Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, it is clear that their subliminal message is not so much love of “Scotland”, but more hatred of “England”! There consistently seems to have been something very nasty about all parties and organizations which term themselves “national” or “nationalist”. We remember that it was the NATIONAL Party of South Africa which sold-out their country to the tender mercies of the African NATIONAL Congress, and that the erstwhile Rhodesia is now being terrorized by the Zimbabwe African NATIONAL Union. Furthermore it should never be forgotten that the full name of the Nazi Party was the German NATIONAL Socialist Party, and that the SF/IRA terrorists regard themselves as part of the Irish Pan-NATIONALIST Front. Moreover we ourselves have of course suffered badly from dirty-tricks campaigns emanating from the Nazi-wannabes of the British NATIONAL Party. We are not suggesting that the SNP falls into quite the same categories, but by adopting an ideology of “nationalism” they are clearly following the same path.
Happily opinion polls have constantly shown that a clear majority intend to vote “No” on September 18th, with a margin of anything between 10 and 20% - but the fact remains that it is worrying in the extreme that anyone should want to vote for destructive Scottish “independence”. Such a situation should never have come about of course, and Westminster politicians of all parties must be held responsible for this awful situation. We warned in the late 1990s that the Labour government’s plans to establish Holyrood and Cardiff Bay “parliaments” would provide vehicles similar to those in the Russian Federation, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, which were used to break-up those nation-states, and could therefore end in tragedy. But it is the present coalition government which is mainly to blame, for allowing Alex Salmond and his cronies to initiate this splitist referendum, and agreeing to every advantage in his favour!
Sir John Major was not our favourite politician, but he has recently been quoted as saying that if more than 60% vote “No” then not only will the issue be dead for a generation, but it will be dead for all time. He is probably correct, so it is therefore vitally important not only that the “No” vote wins, but also that the majority is as big as possible. Over-confidence now seems the biggest enemy of the Unionist cause, so we therefore not only implore all supporters who can vote in the referendum to vote “No”, but also encourage everyone with contacts in Scotland to do their best to persuade them to give the Nationalists the bloodiest nose possible.
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SPRINGBOK CLUB NEWS
The Springbok Club joined forces with the Swinton Circle in July in order to stage a joint meeting. A full report of this event appears in the Swinton Circle News section below.
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On Saturday 23rd August the Springbok Club will be organizing a trip to the National Portrait Gallery in London, specifically to see a special exhibition of paintings relating to the start of the First World War. Rendezvous between 12.00 noon and 12.30 hrs in front of the ticket office, which is situated up the stairs from the main entrance in St.Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE (nearest tube stations: Leicester Square, Charing Cross and Embankment). After visiting the National Portrait Gallery the Springbok Club party will adjourn to a near-by hostelry with Rhodesian connections for a convivial ending to the day. For more details ‘phone: 07711188430.
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Towards the end of September the Springbok Club will be staging a meeting which will be addressed by a leading member of the organization who has recently returned from a professional contract in the “new” South Africa, and who will tell something about the true conditions currently prevailing there.
In November the Springbok Club plans to stage its annual UDI Day celebration buffet, at which there will be a guest speaker with strong Rhodesian connections.
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In October the Kent Branch of the Springbok Club will be organising a trip to see some of the historical sites of the Medway Towns
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SWINTON CIRCLE NEWS
The Swinton Circle had organized a joint meeting with the Springbok Club last month, which was due to be addressed by Miss Elizabeth Anderson of the Friends of the British Overseas Territories, an estimable organization which the Swinton Circle hoped to establish closer relations with as a result. Unfortunately, however, Miss Anderson informed us just three days prior to this meeting that she was pulling-out, citing work commitments as her reason. This last-minute reneging of a promise left the Swinton Circle in a very difficult position of course, and there are a number of reasons why we are doubtful whether the reason given by Miss Anderson was correct, not least because she proved incapable of providing any replacement speaker from the Friends of the British Overseas Territories organization. We would therefore very much like to get to the bottom of this disturbing matter, so if anyone can shed any further light on the real reason for Miss Anderson’s withdrawal we would be most grateful.
Happily Ms. Claudia Bryan, a good friend of our movement, was prepared to step into the breach to take the place of Miss Anderson at this meeting. Ms. Bryan, a South African by birth and a brave campaigner who alerts the world to the true appalling situation in the “new” South Africa through her “No farmer, no food” campaign, had been the planned guest speaker for a Springbok Club meeting later this year, so her appearance at this joint meeting therefore gave her the opportunity to reach an even larger audience. She was joined at this meeting by her close associate Mr. Winston Hall, and together they gave masterful speeches highlighting the near-genocide conditions which currently exist in the “new” South Africa, particularly being faced by the farming community. Their talks were also illustrated by an enlightening, albeit very gruesome video, and a recording of both their speeches and this video can be viewed at :-
www.youtube.com/embed/SpxyDYk5LDA
We would therefore like to thank both Ms. Bryan and Mr. Hall for conveying such enlightening information, especially as they undertook this task at such short notice.
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The Swinton Circle is still hoping to hold a meeting to be addressed by a prominent former Conservative MP during late August, though unfortunately the precise details still haven’t been able to be finalized. Information about the precise arrangements will however be circulated to all members and supporters in due course.
In September the Swinton Circle will be giving its full support to New Britain’s big “Keep the United Kingdom United” rally in London, the full details of which are given in the New Britain News section below.
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Membership fees and donations to the Swinton Circle can be made via PayPal on the organisation’s web-site home page at www.swintoncircle.co.uk - simply 'click' on the line "PayPal = the safer, easier way to pay online" at the bottom of the home page; if the error message "This content cannot be displayed in a Frame" appears then simply 'click' on the line "Open this Content in a New Window".
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NEW BRITAIN NEWS
Details regarding New Britain’s long-awaited “Keep the United Kingdom United” rally have now been finalized, and are as follows :-
Date : Saturday 13th September 2014
Assembly point : Paternoster Square, next to St.Paul’s Cathedral
Assembly time : 12.00 noon
At approximately 12.10 hrs the procession will march off through the streets of the City of London to St.Sepulchre’s Church where the rally will take place, which will feature bagpipes, Scottish dancers and speeches by two prominent supporters of the Better Together campaign.
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LATEST REPORT FROM THE ZIMBABWE CONSERVATION TASK FORCE
We have recently received the following long but very informative report from the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF). In spite of its length we thought that readers might be very interested in the information which it contains :-
“ARMY GENERALS BOOTED OUT OF CONSERVANCY
“There has been a guarded welcome of a decision by the ZANU-PF politburo to rescind all offer letters, granted to top party and army officials, for land in the Save Valley Conservancy.
”A politburo meeting chaired by Robert Mugabe on Monday also resolved to remove all beneficiaries of the wildlife-based land grab from properties that were meant to be protected under Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPPAs). This reportedly includes the Sango, Sabi, Chishakwe, Masapasi, Makore, Gunundwe and Chamurwe ranches.
”Other conservancy land gazetted by the state for takeover will now come under the ownership of the National Parks authority.
”During the Monday meeting Mugabe criticised what he called "double dipping" by his officials, who already benefitted during ZANU-PF's commercial farm grab campaign. Party spokesperson Rugare Gumbo reportedly confirmed that this was the politburo position too.
” ‘The issue was if you did not yet have a farm, then government will give you one elsewhere and not in Save Valley. Most of them are multiple land owners which is what the politburo said should not happen. That was the decision, and their removal must be expedited as per the politburo (resolution),’ Gumbo said.
”National Parks in 2012 issued hunting permits to 25 so-called indigenous ‘farmers' who were given land in the Conservancy under the government's ‘Wildlife Best Land Reform Policy'. This was in spite of a damning parliamentary report in 2012, which said that the forced seizure of Save land by top political and military figures with ‘no interest (or) experience in wildlife conservation’ had resulted in massive destruction there.
”The officials who benefitted included war vets leader Joseph Chinotimba, Major General Gibson Mashingaidze, Major General Engelbert Rugeje, Masvingo Governor Titus Maluleke, then ZANU-PF Masvingo provincial chair Lovemore Matuke, then Deputy Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora, ZANU-PF's central committee member Enock Porusingazi, as well as ZANU-PF MPs Alois Baloyi, Abraham Sithole, Samson Mukanduri and Noel Mandebvu.
”ZANU-PF's Gumbo said that the government has withdrawn all 25-year leases offered to the top officials ‘with immediate effect.’
" ‘The politburo made a decision to remove all those that had been allocated leases in Save Valley. It does not matter whether you are a politburo member or not, all beneficiaries were ordered out of that place,’ Gumbo said.
”We believe the decision is ‘overdue’, because local Zimbabweans have not benefitted since top chefs took over the Save land.
”The owners of the conservancies originally came up with an idea that the rural folk would become shareholders, but the big boys didn't like it and they took over. Now that is being withdrawn and it's about time. They need to be held accountable for the greed and corruption going on.
”The previously gazetted land, now set to be handed over to National Parks, should instead be given back to the original land owners.
”We don't believe that Parks will be able to do a good job. They should leave the land with the actual owners. They are the best conservationists; they employ professional people to make things work. At the moment National Parks can't even pay their employees. So it's doomed to fail.
”He also added that the planned ‘indigenisation' of conservancy land owned by White Zimbabweans would have a negative impact on Save Valley. Former Indigenisation Minister Saviour Kasukuwere has said that only White Zimbabweans will be required to comply with ZANU-PF's indigenisation laws in the Conservancy. This is despite the fact that the indigenisation policy was originally meant to only target foreign owned investments in Zimbabwe.
"’Foreign-owned properties will not be affected as they are protected under investment laws, but those [properties] of local Whites will be,’ Kasukuwere said.
”This doesn't make any sense. They have to come up with a definite ruling (on indigenisation) because we need the foreign investment.
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COMMONWEALTH GAMES FEVER
The 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games were, as we predicted, a great triumph, both organisationally and as far as sporting excellence were concerned. There is still much debate about whether the UK should compete as one united country in the Commonwealth Games, or to continue sending separate teams from all the component parts of the British Isles. There are good arguments both for and against the two sides of the debate, but one thing is for certain, and that is that the forthcoming Scottish “independence” Referendum should never have been allowed to be held so close to so much massive enthusiasm being generated for a separate Scottish team competing on home soil! This was of course a cunning plan devised by Alex Salmond and the SNP, and all the Unionist parties at Westminster must be severely castigated for letting them get away with such an obvious ploy!
As far as South Africa was concerned they won 13 gold medals compared to 12 at Delhi in 2010, but dropped from 5th to 7th place in the medal table. Clap, clap. So how do these “new” South African performances compare to South African results during the era of civilized rule (an era when it must be remembered there were far few events where medals were awarded)? At the first ever British Empire Games held at Hamilton, Canada in 1930 South Africa won 6 gold medals and finished 3rd in the medal table, and this rose to 16 at Vancouver in 1954 and 13 at Cardiff in 1958, when on both occasions the country finished 3rd. Surely the conclusion which must be drawn is obvious?
The next 2018 Commonwealth Games will be held at the Gold Coast in Australia, an advanced first world country where another professional efficient spectacular is bound to be staged (unlike at Kingston, Jamaica in 1966, Kuala Lumpur in 1998 and Delhi in 2010, all of which Games in third world countries were plagued with problems). The venue of the 2022 Commonwealth Games has still to be decided however, but there are two candidate cities, Edmonton in Canada and – wait for it – Durban in the “new” South Africa! Surely the powers that be can’t be stupid enough to stage the Games in yet another third world city? Every effort must therefore be made to persuade the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly to choose Edmonton as the venue for 2022!
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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
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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.
Trish also writes romantic suspense and romantic comedy fiction. www.trishjaxon.com
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"P.K. VAN DER BYL - AFRICAN STATESMAN" by Hannes Wessels
ISBN: 978-1-920143-49-7 / paperback / illustrated
Retail price: R250.00, Web-site price: R200.00 + postage
The narrative gives the reader an overview of the history of the White man in southern Africa with detailed emphasis on the Rhodesian story through the life and times of PK van der Byl, one of the major players in a political drama that ended in the accession to power of Robert Mugabe under the auspices of the British government. By his very nature PK was controversial and confrontational. This account is likely to give offence to some because it portrays him as bluntly as he was in real life. Much can be contested about PK van der Byl but few will dispute he was an extremely colourful character with a devilish sense of humour. This memoir covers his life with a full flourish while doing nothing to detract from the seriousness of the international political and military conflict in which he was engaged. The reader will glean new information on a highly controversial subject and emerge with a more sympathetic understanding of what PK van der Byl and his colleagues did and strove for. The human tragedy that has followed the removal from power of Ian Smith and his Rhodesian Front party will almost certainly force the reader to deal with some uncomfortable conclusions, of value to anyone sincere about grappling with the volatile and deeply troubling challenges that confront all Africans today.
This book and others of interest can be purchased from 30 Degrees South via their web-site: www.30degreessouth.co.za
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"BLUE WATCH" by Gwyn Fford-Osborne
Rhodesia, in 1975 and a bloody vicious civil war is at its height. A war between the White minority supported by the Black majority and the ZAPU and ZANU terrorist groups, supported by Zambia and Mozambique. Kensington, a small town in the farming belt has been the subject of several terrorist attacks but with only a small police force for defence, the local T.A. unit having been called up for service on the Zambia border the situation appears grim. Until Iffor Meredith turns up on a pilgrimage to meet up with his wife and son of his old army buddy, recently murdered by terrorists. A deadly ambush on the "Dix" family and his escape from a land mine attack makes Iffor determined to offer resistance of some form or other to the terrorists. His application to join the Rhodesian Army has been accepted and he sets about forming a small militia. With all the fit men already on call up, who can he recruit from. Then he's invited to a darts match at the Moth Club and meets up with the remnants of the town's Fire Brigade, the men considered too old for call up. Blue Watch.
Available from: www.diadembooks.com
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CREST PUBLISHING BOOKS
Crest Publishing retails books by Glenn MacAskill (ex-BSAP Special Branch) entitled "King's Gold", "Crime Lords", "Kill Victoria!", "Hunt the Assassin" and "MacKinnon's Diamond", and by the late Michael Bowery including "Canham's Run", "The Sligo Piper" "Kill the President", "Al Qaeda Armageddon" and his autobiography "Shred when Read", as well as novels by David Ruppert entitled "The Seven Watchmen" and "The Greater Glory" - all of which will be of great interest to South Africans and ex-Rhodesians.
For more information, 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" - DVD versions of the book about the history of the RLI
Now available from Msasa Enterprises. Contact: msasasa@iafrica.com or UK tel.: 07732 685400.
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
No.189 : Mr. MIKE WEBB of Oxfordshire.
Mike Webb served in the Royal Tank Regiment before turning up in Durban during mid-1981, where he worked as a barman at the Riviera Hotel on the Victoria Embankment – a job which he was clearly way over-qualified for. The reason for this soon became apparent however, as he was involved in the failed Seychelles coup attempt of November 1981 – which was hatched and planned at the Riviera Hotel. After escaping from the Seychelles on the hijacked Air India jet he was sentenced to imprisonment in South Africa, and after this all contact with him ceased – until we met him again unexpectedly at a reception for the Hon. Ian Douglas Smith at the RAF Club in London during the late 1990s. He informed us then that he was living at Thame in Oxfordshire, but alas we never received any reply from him to several pieces of correspondence sent to the address which he had given. We wonder therefore whether anyone knows whether he’s still living in Thame, or if not where he is now based?
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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH
We have recently been contacted by the publishers of eNONGQAI - a Police & National Security magazine mainly for Veterans of the South African Forces. eNongquai Publications maintain a very informative web-site dedicated to preserving the history of the South African Police (SAP) from 1913 until 1994, which can be accessed at :-
http://www.enongqaipublications.com/
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
FATTY FOAMS
Sir,
I was reading an Internet blog a while ago and spotted that Allan Robertson [the former Organiser of the Swinton Circle who was expelled from the organization in early 2009 for gross misconduct – Ed.] had accused you of misuse of power and position in the Swinton Circle. Even one of his own former supporters had then reported that whenever he hears your name he flies into a tantrum and almost foams at the mouth!
Yours etc.,
Richard Windsor, Canterbury, U.K.
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MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
Sir,
My wife and I worked for 25 years without a salary, lived on donations of friends and churches, firstly at Jubilee Mission Hospital, Hammanskraal, then Mission Aviation Fellowship/South Africa in Edenvale, lastly Shekinah Care Foundation, New Hanover, Natal. All those years we worked 24/7 amongst Blacks & Whites. I can write a thousand stories about our work, not once did we see the same tragedy that is now taking place. Yes, there were sad shameful stories, but not on the scale in the stories we now receive from you and the Freedom Front Plus. My brother was left to die on the side of the road in Cato Ridge; not one Black man went to his aid. Mine is one of ten thousand stories.
Yours etc.,
Ray Absalom, New Zealand
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DEFENDING THE RIGHT
Sir,
The Conservatives are prepared to do even more damage to our defences, slashing even the Paras because of the sacred cow of "saving taxpayers' money." This taxpayer heard a lecture on the great Admiral Beatty recently - in the 1920s he complained about politicians jeopardising our defences for the sake of a shilling off the Income Tax. Some things never change.
They should save money by cutting spending on the EU and slashing it on overseas aid. Defence should be restored to Thatcher-era levels, and I am sticking with UKIP. This is what comes of replacing officers and gentlemen with accountants and spin-doctors as Conservative MPs.
Yours etc.,
M. Taylor, London, U.K.
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IVOR BENSON – A RETROSPECTIVE
A supporter recently wrote to us asking whether we knew anything about Mr. Ivor Benson, the late South African journalist and political analyst, specifically regarding the allegation that he was anti-Semitic. Mr. Benson was well known to our movement when we were still based in Natal during the late 1970s and 1980s, and so we replied giving a full account of our knowledge of the man to this supporter. It was afterwards suggested that this review of the man’s life might be suitable for a wider audience, so we therefore repeat it below :-
“We knew Ivor Benson well in South Africa during the late 1970s and early 1980s. His National Forum organization had been recommended to us by a colleague from the UK, and we successfully managed to make contact with the organisation through Duncan du Bois of the Save Rhodesia Campaign (a long-standing member), and started attending their meetings regularly in 1977. Over the following few years we came to know Ivor and his wife Joan very well, and liked them both a lot. They were both very friendly and affable, with Ivor himself having an “impish” sense of humour. Both were also clearly highly intelligent and well-read, but we never detected that Ivor harboured any anti-Semitic sentiments at that time. We alas recall Joan making somewhat anti-Semitic comments on at least one occasion however, and there were occasional surreptitious anti-Semitic questions from the floor at National Forum meetings – which were highly embarrassing, and we believe led to at least one member leaving the organization as a result.
“We got to know quite a bit about Ivor’s background and history over the following years. Contrary to popular belief he was not of completely British stock. Either his father or his grandfather was a Norwegian seaman who had ‘jumped ship’ in Durban Harbour and landed up at Bethlehem in the O.V.S./O.F.S., where Ivor was born. We are uncertain about the ethnic origins of his other ancestors, but as Bethlehem is/was a 95% Afrikaner town we would imagine that they were more likely to have been Afrikaners rather than British-South Africans – though the family did Anglocize their name from Bjornsen (or some such similar spelling) to Benson. Ivor evidently excelled at school, and entered journalism as a profession, where he eventually worked his way up to become Deputy Editor of the Rand Daily Mail – the premier English-language daily newspaper in the Transvaal at the time. It is interesting to note in this regard that the RDM always had a very liberal reputation – but this didn’t stop Ian Smith from ‘head-hunting’ Ivor to become head of the Rhodesian Government’s Information operations during the run-up to UDI in 1965 (this would certainly imply that Ivor was not particularly right-wing prior to his time in Rhodesia). Ivor stayed in this position for only just over a year however, resigning not for ideological reasons but because of a strategic disagreement, as he totally disagreed with Ian Smith’s desire to reach a negotiated settlement with Harold Wilson’s Labour Government even after UDI was declared, believing instead that Rhodesia should simply ‘get on with independence’.
“In spite of only being in Rhodesia for just over a year something very fundamental happened to Ivor during this period – namely he met and married Joan. He was well into his middle-age at the time, and had never previously been married – whereas Joan had been married at least once before. It is certainly our belief that Joan became a great influence on Ivor’s political thinking, and probably caused him to veer towards anti-Semitism during the twilight years of his life – something which of course was most regrettable. After leaving Rhodesia Ivor and Joan moved to Pinetown where Ivor never again seemed to have any regular employment – spending all his time launching his magazine Behind the News, writing books and founding the National Forum. The speculation was that Joan either had or inherited money, and that they lived on this. We were once informed that the print-run for Behind the News was only 1000 (S.A.Patriot’s was initially 3000, though subsequently reduced to 2000), and that the Bensons’ garage was full of piles of unsold copies of Behind the News - and that whilst parking their car they had apparently knocked down these piles several times, leaving them on the oily ground and never bothering to pick them up. Quite clearly therefore, especially as it never carried any adverts, Behind the News never made any money!
“Meetings of the National Forum continued to be held regularly throughout the 1970s however, and after we made contact in 1977 always seemed to be well-attended and featured very interesting guest speakers (including Harvey Ward, the former head of Rhodesian Television). In about 1981 Ivor announced that he was moving from Pinetown to Krugersdorp because ‘at such a vital stage in South African history it was important to be in the Transvaal, the fulcrum of political activity’. With Ivor gone the National Forum collapsed in Natal, and although Ian Long and David Bell (whose wife, incidentally, was Jewish) tried to carry on operations under the title of the Vanguard Association, this was still-born. We therefore founded our own Patriotic Forum (the predecessor of today’s Springbok Club), which was named with ‘Patriotic’ from ‘S.A.Patriot’ and ‘Forum’ from the ‘National Forum’. We continued to receive copies of Behind the News even after Ivor moved to Krugersdorp, but became increasingly concerned by some of its nuttier ‘conspiracy theory’ contents. There are conspiracies and cover-ups in this world of course – but Ivor’s ‘grand conspiracy theories’ went so far over the top that they were unbelievable. When he claimed that the Falklands War was fought ‘for oil’ and not to protect the liberty of the Falkland Islands’ people it became too much for us, so we cut all contact as a result.
“Evidently during the late 1980s Ivor and Joan moved to the UK (apparently because Ivor was seriously ill and they had no medical insurance, so therefore wanted to make use of the NHS), staying initially with a certain Mr. Don Martin in Suffolk. Don Martin is/was a total ‘conspiracy theory’ crank, so far off the edge it appears that he was too much for Ivor and Joan, so they moved away from him and severed all links. Ivor died in the early 1990s, but alas we don’t know whatever became of Joan.”
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See you again next month!
August 2014 edition
Thursday 18th September, the date of the Scottish Referendum, will be the most important – and potentially most catastrophic – date in British constitutional history since 1st January 1922, when 26 counties of Ireland were allowed to breakaway from the United Kingdom to form the tragic Republic of Ireland.
Although the Kingdoms of Scotland and England were not officially unified until the Act of Union in 1707, the two former countries had been de facto united since 1603, when King James VI of Scotland inherited the English throne and declared himself King James I of GREAT BRITAIN. The Union Flag was then designed and accepted as the official flag of the nation, and to all intents and purposes the border ceased to exist. In actual fact, however, the entire British Isles had been intertwined for centuries earlier, even prior to the Roman era when Britannia was regarded as a single entity.
One only has to look at a map to see that the British Isles are one nation geographically. The British people also consist of the same basic ethnic stock, and both economically and culturally that which unites the British nation is far more fundamental than any regional differences. Furthermore, the United Kingdom has been one of the greatest success stories in world history, being the cradle of both the industrial and agricultural revolutions, and founding the greatest Empire which the world has ever seen. It also spearheaded the fight to rid the world of Communist, Fascist and Islamic tyrannies, and has been in the forefront of free-market economics and technological advances.
In view of these facts it should have been unthinkable that any part of the United Kingdom should seek to breakaway – indeed up until just a few short decades ago the idea of Scottish “independence” would have been dismissed out of hand as a fantasy. The reason why such a frightening state of affairs has come about is complex, but we would contend that it has been caused by the post-WWII growth of socialism, the surrender of Empire, and the headlong rush into the European Union. In this regard it should be remembered that the powers behind the EU have always sought to destroy the unity of the great nation-states of Europe – and not just Britain!
There is an old axiom that the difference between a patriot and a nationalist is that patriots love their own country, whereas nationalists hate everybody else’s. Although they may not hate every other country, whenever the leaders of the SNP speak, particularly Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, it is clear that their subliminal message is not so much love of “Scotland”, but more hatred of “England”! There consistently seems to have been something very nasty about all parties and organizations which term themselves “national” or “nationalist”. We remember that it was the NATIONAL Party of South Africa which sold-out their country to the tender mercies of the African NATIONAL Congress, and that the erstwhile Rhodesia is now being terrorized by the Zimbabwe African NATIONAL Union. Furthermore it should never be forgotten that the full name of the Nazi Party was the German NATIONAL Socialist Party, and that the SF/IRA terrorists regard themselves as part of the Irish Pan-NATIONALIST Front. Moreover we ourselves have of course suffered badly from dirty-tricks campaigns emanating from the Nazi-wannabes of the British NATIONAL Party. We are not suggesting that the SNP falls into quite the same categories, but by adopting an ideology of “nationalism” they are clearly following the same path.
Happily opinion polls have constantly shown that a clear majority intend to vote “No” on September 18th, with a margin of anything between 10 and 20% - but the fact remains that it is worrying in the extreme that anyone should want to vote for destructive Scottish “independence”. Such a situation should never have come about of course, and Westminster politicians of all parties must be held responsible for this awful situation. We warned in the late 1990s that the Labour government’s plans to establish Holyrood and Cardiff Bay “parliaments” would provide vehicles similar to those in the Russian Federation, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, which were used to break-up those nation-states, and could therefore end in tragedy. But it is the present coalition government which is mainly to blame, for allowing Alex Salmond and his cronies to initiate this splitist referendum, and agreeing to every advantage in his favour!
Sir John Major was not our favourite politician, but he has recently been quoted as saying that if more than 60% vote “No” then not only will the issue be dead for a generation, but it will be dead for all time. He is probably correct, so it is therefore vitally important not only that the “No” vote wins, but also that the majority is as big as possible. Over-confidence now seems the biggest enemy of the Unionist cause, so we therefore not only implore all supporters who can vote in the referendum to vote “No”, but also encourage everyone with contacts in Scotland to do their best to persuade them to give the Nationalists the bloodiest nose possible.
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SPRINGBOK CLUB NEWS
The Springbok Club joined forces with the Swinton Circle in July in order to stage a joint meeting. A full report of this event appears in the Swinton Circle News section below.
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On Saturday 23rd August the Springbok Club will be organizing a trip to the National Portrait Gallery in London, specifically to see a special exhibition of paintings relating to the start of the First World War. Rendezvous between 12.00 noon and 12.30 hrs in front of the ticket office, which is situated up the stairs from the main entrance in St.Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE (nearest tube stations: Leicester Square, Charing Cross and Embankment). After visiting the National Portrait Gallery the Springbok Club party will adjourn to a near-by hostelry with Rhodesian connections for a convivial ending to the day. For more details ‘phone: 07711188430.
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Towards the end of September the Springbok Club will be staging a meeting which will be addressed by a leading member of the organization who has recently returned from a professional contract in the “new” South Africa, and who will tell something about the true conditions currently prevailing there.
In November the Springbok Club plans to stage its annual UDI Day celebration buffet, at which there will be a guest speaker with strong Rhodesian connections.
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In October the Kent Branch of the Springbok Club will be organising a trip to see some of the historical sites of the Medway Towns
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SWINTON CIRCLE NEWS
The Swinton Circle had organized a joint meeting with the Springbok Club last month, which was due to be addressed by Miss Elizabeth Anderson of the Friends of the British Overseas Territories, an estimable organization which the Swinton Circle hoped to establish closer relations with as a result. Unfortunately, however, Miss Anderson informed us just three days prior to this meeting that she was pulling-out, citing work commitments as her reason. This last-minute reneging of a promise left the Swinton Circle in a very difficult position of course, and there are a number of reasons why we are doubtful whether the reason given by Miss Anderson was correct, not least because she proved incapable of providing any replacement speaker from the Friends of the British Overseas Territories organization. We would therefore very much like to get to the bottom of this disturbing matter, so if anyone can shed any further light on the real reason for Miss Anderson’s withdrawal we would be most grateful.
Happily Ms. Claudia Bryan, a good friend of our movement, was prepared to step into the breach to take the place of Miss Anderson at this meeting. Ms. Bryan, a South African by birth and a brave campaigner who alerts the world to the true appalling situation in the “new” South Africa through her “No farmer, no food” campaign, had been the planned guest speaker for a Springbok Club meeting later this year, so her appearance at this joint meeting therefore gave her the opportunity to reach an even larger audience. She was joined at this meeting by her close associate Mr. Winston Hall, and together they gave masterful speeches highlighting the near-genocide conditions which currently exist in the “new” South Africa, particularly being faced by the farming community. Their talks were also illustrated by an enlightening, albeit very gruesome video, and a recording of both their speeches and this video can be viewed at :-
www.youtube.com/embed/SpxyDYk5LDA
We would therefore like to thank both Ms. Bryan and Mr. Hall for conveying such enlightening information, especially as they undertook this task at such short notice.
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The Swinton Circle is still hoping to hold a meeting to be addressed by a prominent former Conservative MP during late August, though unfortunately the precise details still haven’t been able to be finalized. Information about the precise arrangements will however be circulated to all members and supporters in due course.
In September the Swinton Circle will be giving its full support to New Britain’s big “Keep the United Kingdom United” rally in London, the full details of which are given in the New Britain News section below.
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Membership fees and donations to the Swinton Circle can be made via PayPal on the organisation’s web-site home page at www.swintoncircle.co.uk - simply 'click' on the line "PayPal = the safer, easier way to pay online" at the bottom of the home page; if the error message "This content cannot be displayed in a Frame" appears then simply 'click' on the line "Open this Content in a New Window".
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NEW BRITAIN NEWS
Details regarding New Britain’s long-awaited “Keep the United Kingdom United” rally have now been finalized, and are as follows :-
Date : Saturday 13th September 2014
Assembly point : Paternoster Square, next to St.Paul’s Cathedral
Assembly time : 12.00 noon
At approximately 12.10 hrs the procession will march off through the streets of the City of London to St.Sepulchre’s Church where the rally will take place, which will feature bagpipes, Scottish dancers and speeches by two prominent supporters of the Better Together campaign.
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LATEST REPORT FROM THE ZIMBABWE CONSERVATION TASK FORCE
We have recently received the following long but very informative report from the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF). In spite of its length we thought that readers might be very interested in the information which it contains :-
“ARMY GENERALS BOOTED OUT OF CONSERVANCY
“There has been a guarded welcome of a decision by the ZANU-PF politburo to rescind all offer letters, granted to top party and army officials, for land in the Save Valley Conservancy.
”A politburo meeting chaired by Robert Mugabe on Monday also resolved to remove all beneficiaries of the wildlife-based land grab from properties that were meant to be protected under Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPPAs). This reportedly includes the Sango, Sabi, Chishakwe, Masapasi, Makore, Gunundwe and Chamurwe ranches.
”Other conservancy land gazetted by the state for takeover will now come under the ownership of the National Parks authority.
”During the Monday meeting Mugabe criticised what he called "double dipping" by his officials, who already benefitted during ZANU-PF's commercial farm grab campaign. Party spokesperson Rugare Gumbo reportedly confirmed that this was the politburo position too.
” ‘The issue was if you did not yet have a farm, then government will give you one elsewhere and not in Save Valley. Most of them are multiple land owners which is what the politburo said should not happen. That was the decision, and their removal must be expedited as per the politburo (resolution),’ Gumbo said.
”National Parks in 2012 issued hunting permits to 25 so-called indigenous ‘farmers' who were given land in the Conservancy under the government's ‘Wildlife Best Land Reform Policy'. This was in spite of a damning parliamentary report in 2012, which said that the forced seizure of Save land by top political and military figures with ‘no interest (or) experience in wildlife conservation’ had resulted in massive destruction there.
”The officials who benefitted included war vets leader Joseph Chinotimba, Major General Gibson Mashingaidze, Major General Engelbert Rugeje, Masvingo Governor Titus Maluleke, then ZANU-PF Masvingo provincial chair Lovemore Matuke, then Deputy Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora, ZANU-PF's central committee member Enock Porusingazi, as well as ZANU-PF MPs Alois Baloyi, Abraham Sithole, Samson Mukanduri and Noel Mandebvu.
”ZANU-PF's Gumbo said that the government has withdrawn all 25-year leases offered to the top officials ‘with immediate effect.’
" ‘The politburo made a decision to remove all those that had been allocated leases in Save Valley. It does not matter whether you are a politburo member or not, all beneficiaries were ordered out of that place,’ Gumbo said.
”We believe the decision is ‘overdue’, because local Zimbabweans have not benefitted since top chefs took over the Save land.
”The owners of the conservancies originally came up with an idea that the rural folk would become shareholders, but the big boys didn't like it and they took over. Now that is being withdrawn and it's about time. They need to be held accountable for the greed and corruption going on.
”The previously gazetted land, now set to be handed over to National Parks, should instead be given back to the original land owners.
”We don't believe that Parks will be able to do a good job. They should leave the land with the actual owners. They are the best conservationists; they employ professional people to make things work. At the moment National Parks can't even pay their employees. So it's doomed to fail.
”He also added that the planned ‘indigenisation' of conservancy land owned by White Zimbabweans would have a negative impact on Save Valley. Former Indigenisation Minister Saviour Kasukuwere has said that only White Zimbabweans will be required to comply with ZANU-PF's indigenisation laws in the Conservancy. This is despite the fact that the indigenisation policy was originally meant to only target foreign owned investments in Zimbabwe.
"’Foreign-owned properties will not be affected as they are protected under investment laws, but those [properties] of local Whites will be,’ Kasukuwere said.
”This doesn't make any sense. They have to come up with a definite ruling (on indigenisation) because we need the foreign investment.
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COMMONWEALTH GAMES FEVER
The 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games were, as we predicted, a great triumph, both organisationally and as far as sporting excellence were concerned. There is still much debate about whether the UK should compete as one united country in the Commonwealth Games, or to continue sending separate teams from all the component parts of the British Isles. There are good arguments both for and against the two sides of the debate, but one thing is for certain, and that is that the forthcoming Scottish “independence” Referendum should never have been allowed to be held so close to so much massive enthusiasm being generated for a separate Scottish team competing on home soil! This was of course a cunning plan devised by Alex Salmond and the SNP, and all the Unionist parties at Westminster must be severely castigated for letting them get away with such an obvious ploy!
As far as South Africa was concerned they won 13 gold medals compared to 12 at Delhi in 2010, but dropped from 5th to 7th place in the medal table. Clap, clap. So how do these “new” South African performances compare to South African results during the era of civilized rule (an era when it must be remembered there were far few events where medals were awarded)? At the first ever British Empire Games held at Hamilton, Canada in 1930 South Africa won 6 gold medals and finished 3rd in the medal table, and this rose to 16 at Vancouver in 1954 and 13 at Cardiff in 1958, when on both occasions the country finished 3rd. Surely the conclusion which must be drawn is obvious?
The next 2018 Commonwealth Games will be held at the Gold Coast in Australia, an advanced first world country where another professional efficient spectacular is bound to be staged (unlike at Kingston, Jamaica in 1966, Kuala Lumpur in 1998 and Delhi in 2010, all of which Games in third world countries were plagued with problems). The venue of the 2022 Commonwealth Games has still to be decided however, but there are two candidate cities, Edmonton in Canada and – wait for it – Durban in the “new” South Africa! Surely the powers that be can’t be stupid enough to stage the Games in yet another third world city? Every effort must therefore be made to persuade the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly to choose Edmonton as the venue for 2022!
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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
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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.
Trish also writes romantic suspense and romantic comedy fiction. www.trishjaxon.com
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"P.K. VAN DER BYL - AFRICAN STATESMAN" by Hannes Wessels
ISBN: 978-1-920143-49-7 / paperback / illustrated
Retail price: R250.00, Web-site price: R200.00 + postage
The narrative gives the reader an overview of the history of the White man in southern Africa with detailed emphasis on the Rhodesian story through the life and times of PK van der Byl, one of the major players in a political drama that ended in the accession to power of Robert Mugabe under the auspices of the British government. By his very nature PK was controversial and confrontational. This account is likely to give offence to some because it portrays him as bluntly as he was in real life. Much can be contested about PK van der Byl but few will dispute he was an extremely colourful character with a devilish sense of humour. This memoir covers his life with a full flourish while doing nothing to detract from the seriousness of the international political and military conflict in which he was engaged. The reader will glean new information on a highly controversial subject and emerge with a more sympathetic understanding of what PK van der Byl and his colleagues did and strove for. The human tragedy that has followed the removal from power of Ian Smith and his Rhodesian Front party will almost certainly force the reader to deal with some uncomfortable conclusions, of value to anyone sincere about grappling with the volatile and deeply troubling challenges that confront all Africans today.
This book and others of interest can be purchased from 30 Degrees South via their web-site: www.30degreessouth.co.za
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"BLUE WATCH" by Gwyn Fford-Osborne
Rhodesia, in 1975 and a bloody vicious civil war is at its height. A war between the White minority supported by the Black majority and the ZAPU and ZANU terrorist groups, supported by Zambia and Mozambique. Kensington, a small town in the farming belt has been the subject of several terrorist attacks but with only a small police force for defence, the local T.A. unit having been called up for service on the Zambia border the situation appears grim. Until Iffor Meredith turns up on a pilgrimage to meet up with his wife and son of his old army buddy, recently murdered by terrorists. A deadly ambush on the "Dix" family and his escape from a land mine attack makes Iffor determined to offer resistance of some form or other to the terrorists. His application to join the Rhodesian Army has been accepted and he sets about forming a small militia. With all the fit men already on call up, who can he recruit from. Then he's invited to a darts match at the Moth Club and meets up with the remnants of the town's Fire Brigade, the men considered too old for call up. Blue Watch.
Available from: www.diadembooks.com
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CREST PUBLISHING BOOKS
Crest Publishing retails books by Glenn MacAskill (ex-BSAP Special Branch) entitled "King's Gold", "Crime Lords", "Kill Victoria!", "Hunt the Assassin" and "MacKinnon's Diamond", and by the late Michael Bowery including "Canham's Run", "The Sligo Piper" "Kill the President", "Al Qaeda Armageddon" and his autobiography "Shred when Read", as well as novels by David Ruppert entitled "The Seven Watchmen" and "The Greater Glory" - all of which will be of great interest to South Africans and ex-Rhodesians.
For more information, 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" - DVD versions of the book about the history of the RLI
Now available from Msasa Enterprises. Contact: msasasa@iafrica.com or UK tel.: 07732 685400.
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
No.189 : Mr. MIKE WEBB of Oxfordshire.
Mike Webb served in the Royal Tank Regiment before turning up in Durban during mid-1981, where he worked as a barman at the Riviera Hotel on the Victoria Embankment – a job which he was clearly way over-qualified for. The reason for this soon became apparent however, as he was involved in the failed Seychelles coup attempt of November 1981 – which was hatched and planned at the Riviera Hotel. After escaping from the Seychelles on the hijacked Air India jet he was sentenced to imprisonment in South Africa, and after this all contact with him ceased – until we met him again unexpectedly at a reception for the Hon. Ian Douglas Smith at the RAF Club in London during the late 1990s. He informed us then that he was living at Thame in Oxfordshire, but alas we never received any reply from him to several pieces of correspondence sent to the address which he had given. We wonder therefore whether anyone knows whether he’s still living in Thame, or if not where he is now based?
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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH
We have recently been contacted by the publishers of eNONGQAI - a Police & National Security magazine mainly for Veterans of the South African Forces. eNongquai Publications maintain a very informative web-site dedicated to preserving the history of the South African Police (SAP) from 1913 until 1994, which can be accessed at :-
http://www.enongqaipublications.com/
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
FATTY FOAMS
Sir,
I was reading an Internet blog a while ago and spotted that Allan Robertson [the former Organiser of the Swinton Circle who was expelled from the organization in early 2009 for gross misconduct – Ed.] had accused you of misuse of power and position in the Swinton Circle. Even one of his own former supporters had then reported that whenever he hears your name he flies into a tantrum and almost foams at the mouth!
Yours etc.,
Richard Windsor, Canterbury, U.K.
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MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
Sir,
My wife and I worked for 25 years without a salary, lived on donations of friends and churches, firstly at Jubilee Mission Hospital, Hammanskraal, then Mission Aviation Fellowship/South Africa in Edenvale, lastly Shekinah Care Foundation, New Hanover, Natal. All those years we worked 24/7 amongst Blacks & Whites. I can write a thousand stories about our work, not once did we see the same tragedy that is now taking place. Yes, there were sad shameful stories, but not on the scale in the stories we now receive from you and the Freedom Front Plus. My brother was left to die on the side of the road in Cato Ridge; not one Black man went to his aid. Mine is one of ten thousand stories.
Yours etc.,
Ray Absalom, New Zealand
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DEFENDING THE RIGHT
Sir,
The Conservatives are prepared to do even more damage to our defences, slashing even the Paras because of the sacred cow of "saving taxpayers' money." This taxpayer heard a lecture on the great Admiral Beatty recently - in the 1920s he complained about politicians jeopardising our defences for the sake of a shilling off the Income Tax. Some things never change.
They should save money by cutting spending on the EU and slashing it on overseas aid. Defence should be restored to Thatcher-era levels, and I am sticking with UKIP. This is what comes of replacing officers and gentlemen with accountants and spin-doctors as Conservative MPs.
Yours etc.,
M. Taylor, London, U.K.
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IVOR BENSON – A RETROSPECTIVE
A supporter recently wrote to us asking whether we knew anything about Mr. Ivor Benson, the late South African journalist and political analyst, specifically regarding the allegation that he was anti-Semitic. Mr. Benson was well known to our movement when we were still based in Natal during the late 1970s and 1980s, and so we replied giving a full account of our knowledge of the man to this supporter. It was afterwards suggested that this review of the man’s life might be suitable for a wider audience, so we therefore repeat it below :-
“We knew Ivor Benson well in South Africa during the late 1970s and early 1980s. His National Forum organization had been recommended to us by a colleague from the UK, and we successfully managed to make contact with the organisation through Duncan du Bois of the Save Rhodesia Campaign (a long-standing member), and started attending their meetings regularly in 1977. Over the following few years we came to know Ivor and his wife Joan very well, and liked them both a lot. They were both very friendly and affable, with Ivor himself having an “impish” sense of humour. Both were also clearly highly intelligent and well-read, but we never detected that Ivor harboured any anti-Semitic sentiments at that time. We alas recall Joan making somewhat anti-Semitic comments on at least one occasion however, and there were occasional surreptitious anti-Semitic questions from the floor at National Forum meetings – which were highly embarrassing, and we believe led to at least one member leaving the organization as a result.
“We got to know quite a bit about Ivor’s background and history over the following years. Contrary to popular belief he was not of completely British stock. Either his father or his grandfather was a Norwegian seaman who had ‘jumped ship’ in Durban Harbour and landed up at Bethlehem in the O.V.S./O.F.S., where Ivor was born. We are uncertain about the ethnic origins of his other ancestors, but as Bethlehem is/was a 95% Afrikaner town we would imagine that they were more likely to have been Afrikaners rather than British-South Africans – though the family did Anglocize their name from Bjornsen (or some such similar spelling) to Benson. Ivor evidently excelled at school, and entered journalism as a profession, where he eventually worked his way up to become Deputy Editor of the Rand Daily Mail – the premier English-language daily newspaper in the Transvaal at the time. It is interesting to note in this regard that the RDM always had a very liberal reputation – but this didn’t stop Ian Smith from ‘head-hunting’ Ivor to become head of the Rhodesian Government’s Information operations during the run-up to UDI in 1965 (this would certainly imply that Ivor was not particularly right-wing prior to his time in Rhodesia). Ivor stayed in this position for only just over a year however, resigning not for ideological reasons but because of a strategic disagreement, as he totally disagreed with Ian Smith’s desire to reach a negotiated settlement with Harold Wilson’s Labour Government even after UDI was declared, believing instead that Rhodesia should simply ‘get on with independence’.
“In spite of only being in Rhodesia for just over a year something very fundamental happened to Ivor during this period – namely he met and married Joan. He was well into his middle-age at the time, and had never previously been married – whereas Joan had been married at least once before. It is certainly our belief that Joan became a great influence on Ivor’s political thinking, and probably caused him to veer towards anti-Semitism during the twilight years of his life – something which of course was most regrettable. After leaving Rhodesia Ivor and Joan moved to Pinetown where Ivor never again seemed to have any regular employment – spending all his time launching his magazine Behind the News, writing books and founding the National Forum. The speculation was that Joan either had or inherited money, and that they lived on this. We were once informed that the print-run for Behind the News was only 1000 (S.A.Patriot’s was initially 3000, though subsequently reduced to 2000), and that the Bensons’ garage was full of piles of unsold copies of Behind the News - and that whilst parking their car they had apparently knocked down these piles several times, leaving them on the oily ground and never bothering to pick them up. Quite clearly therefore, especially as it never carried any adverts, Behind the News never made any money!
“Meetings of the National Forum continued to be held regularly throughout the 1970s however, and after we made contact in 1977 always seemed to be well-attended and featured very interesting guest speakers (including Harvey Ward, the former head of Rhodesian Television). In about 1981 Ivor announced that he was moving from Pinetown to Krugersdorp because ‘at such a vital stage in South African history it was important to be in the Transvaal, the fulcrum of political activity’. With Ivor gone the National Forum collapsed in Natal, and although Ian Long and David Bell (whose wife, incidentally, was Jewish) tried to carry on operations under the title of the Vanguard Association, this was still-born. We therefore founded our own Patriotic Forum (the predecessor of today’s Springbok Club), which was named with ‘Patriotic’ from ‘S.A.Patriot’ and ‘Forum’ from the ‘National Forum’. We continued to receive copies of Behind the News even after Ivor moved to Krugersdorp, but became increasingly concerned by some of its nuttier ‘conspiracy theory’ contents. There are conspiracies and cover-ups in this world of course – but Ivor’s ‘grand conspiracy theories’ went so far over the top that they were unbelievable. When he claimed that the Falklands War was fought ‘for oil’ and not to protect the liberty of the Falkland Islands’ people it became too much for us, so we cut all contact as a result.
“Evidently during the late 1980s Ivor and Joan moved to the UK (apparently because Ivor was seriously ill and they had no medical insurance, so therefore wanted to make use of the NHS), staying initially with a certain Mr. Don Martin in Suffolk. Don Martin is/was a total ‘conspiracy theory’ crank, so far off the edge it appears that he was too much for Ivor and Joan, so they moved away from him and severed all links. Ivor died in the early 1990s, but alas we don’t know whatever became of Joan.”
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See you again next month!
Sunday, 20 July 2014
July 2014 Edition.
SPRINGBOK CYBER NEWSLETTER
July 2014 edition
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War One, the bloodiest conflict in human history in which tens of millions of Europeans of all nationalities needlessly lost their lives. Moreover, it has rightly been observed that whilst this basically European conflict was taking place the non-White races around the world had every reason to sit back and smile.
Worryingly there now appear to be certain pro-EU elements around the world who are asserting that Germany did not initiate WWI. Strictly speaking they are of course correct, as it was Austria-Hungary who first unjustifiably declared war on Serbia. Closer investigation, however, reveals that the fossilized Austro-Hungarian government was pressurized into this declaration of war by their far more dominant ally Germany. Furthermore, it was Germany who subsequently declared war unilaterally on France following Russia’s mobilization of troops in support of the Serbian people – and then invaded totally neutral Belgium in order to attack France!
But of course Germany had been itching to initiate a massive European war for some time, with the clear aim of establishing Berlin’s hegemony across the whole continent. In 1905 the Tangier Crisis first threatened to unleash such a continental conflict, and was only defused when Germany found itself practically isolated at the Conference of Algeciras. Tensions rose again during the Agadir Crisis of 1911, another clear attempt by the German government to provoke a European conflagration. There can be no doubt whatsoever therefore that the blame for starting World War One lies squarely at the door of Germany, and Germany alone.
Perhaps however it is inaccurate to blame Germany per se for all this warmongering. When the history of the 19th century is examined it can clearly be seen that 20th century German aggression was simply a continuation of Prussian expansionism. Both during the war of 1848-51 and again in 1864 Prussia fought unprovoked wars against Denmark simply in order to seize the Danish duchies of Schleswig and Holstein (areas which still haven’t been returned to Denmark!). In 1866 Prussia fought another totally unjustifiable war, this time against Austria-Hungary, purely in order to establish itself as the dominant German-speaking state. Then of course there was the inexcusable Franco-Prussian War, after which Prussia not only transmogrified itself into the German “Empire”, but also made a further illegal land-grab, this time of Alsace and Lorraine. Quite clearly therefore there has been a devil at work for the past 200 or so years somewhere in the German – or should we say Prussian – soul.
But to return to World War One, the centenary of the start of which we are marking this month. Not only was Germany the clear instigator of this conflict, but was also guilty of a whole range of atrocities which today would be regarded as war crimes. Their use of poison gas was the first example of WMDs being deployed, and the arbitrary executions of captured prisoners, the shootings of French and Belgian civilians simply for protesting against the invasions of their countries, and of course the sadistic bayoneting of Belgian babies, were all examples of pure evil which can never be justified by any civilized person. The horrendous atrocities committed by the Germans during World War Two are alas often white-washed by claiming that they were “Nazi atrocities” rather than “German atrocities” – but except for scale is there any real difference between the evils of the Holocaust and the evil actions of bayoneting Belgian babies?
It is a big unsolved mystery why at the Versailles Peace Conference, unlike what happened to the two lesser belligerent powers of Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, Germany wasn’t also split into its component parts, or why areas of its European lands weren’t handed to those countries which it invaded as compensation. “If” of course is always a big word in history, but is seems quite clear that if Germany had been split into its component parts like Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire then there would have been no Nazis, no World War Two, a probable collapse of the Soviet Union far earlier, and no disintegration of the great European global empires. In short the world today would be a far better place than it actually is!
What is even more inexplicable is why the lessons of this mistake were not learnt after the end of WWII. Although Germany was partitioned between the Western Zones (which became the GFR) and the Soviet Zone (which became the GDR), these two states were easily reunified following the collapse of the Iron Curtain. If Germany had instead been split into its several pre-19th century nation-states, with only a shrunken Prussia too weak exercise any hegemony, then this spectre is highly unlikely ever to have come about. As it is, of course, during the latter half of the 20th century Germany simply tried to achieve by “peaceful” means what it had twice earlier that century failed to achieve by more violent methods, in the form of the establishment of the EU. As a result of this “European Project” – more accurately called the “German Project” – most southern European nations, and increasingly eastern European states also, now live in penury and under the dictat of their German masters.
Let’s not be too pessimistic however. Although twice during the first half of the 20th Century Germany tried to conquer and control the whole of Europe, they failed on both occasions. There is no reason therefore to doubt that they will now fail again in their more “peaceful” attempts to achieve the same aims – especially as EuroScepticism is now so firmly on the ascendancy in so many European countries. Once they fail again then some means must be found to do what should have been done in 1919 and again in 1945, namely to split Germany into its various component parts. Such an outcome will be the only valid and accepted memorial to all those innocent Serbs, Russians, Frenchmen and women, Belgians and Britons who needlessly lost heir lives as a result of German aggression during World War One.
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SPRINGBOK CLUB NEWS
Unfortunately the inclement weather meant that the turnout for the Springbok Club’s June activity, the trip to the Olympic Park and the rejuvenated Lea Valley, was not as large as was hoped and expected. Once the rain had cleared away those who did attend enjoyed a most pleasant and inspiring day however, which included a trip inside the Olympic Velodrome to see some of the training runs being made by national and local cyclists, and outdoor viewings of the Copper Box, the Olympic Stadium and the Aquatic Centre. After the stroll down the picturesque Lea Valley the remaining members of the party adjourned to a hostelry at the near-by Westfield Centre in Stratford for a most convivial ending to a very enjoyable day.
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For its July event the Springbok Club will be joining forces with the Swinton Circle in order to stage a meeting to be addressed by a leading official of a pro-British Overseas Territories organization. This promises to be a most enthralling event, which will be held on Thursday 31st July at a venue in central London, commencing at 19.00 hrs. All members of both the Springbok Club and the Swinton Circle will be notified of the precise details of this event in due course, but if any other reader would like to attend simply e-mail: springbok@netcomuk.co.uk for more information.
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In September the Springbok Club will be staging a meeting which will be addressed by a leading member of the organization who will have just returned from a professional contract in the “new” South Africa, and who will tell something about the true conditions currently prevailing there. In November the Springbok Club plans to stage its annual UDI Day celebration buffet, at which there will be a guest speaker with strong Rhodesian connections.
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Later during the year the London Branch of the Springbok Club is planning a trip to a special exhibition at the Imperial War Museum, and the Kent Branch will be organising a trip to see some of the historical sites of the Medway Towns, as well as staging an informal social gathering in Canterbury
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SWINTON CIRCLE NEWS
In June the Swinton Circle gave its full support to New Britain’s annual Canada Day celebrations, which this year took the form of a musical evening at a venue in the City of London. There was a very high percentage of Swinton Circle members and supporters who attended this event, thus illustrating the increasingly close friendship and co-operation between the two organizations, and they were all in agreement in praising New Britain for organizing such a splendid event.
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On Thursday 31st July the Swinton Circle will be joining forces with the Springbok Club in order to stage an meeting to be addressed by a leading official from a pro-British Overseas Territories organization, as detailed more fully in the Springbok Club column above.
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In August the Swinton Circle will be staging a meeting to be addressed by a prominent former Conservative MP. Fuller details will be given in next month’s SCN.
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As part of its campaign in support of a “No” vote in the forthcoming Scottish Constitutional Referendum the Swinton Circle has sent the following letter to all Scottish daily newspapers :-
“Dear Sir,
“It is often claimed by the ‘Yes’ campaign in the Scottish Referendum debate that most English people secretly hope that Scotland breaks away, or at least couldn’t care less. As a London-based Conservative organisation with our finger very much on the English political pulse we can assert categorically that this is not the case.
“The vast majority of English people value the Union, and do not wish to see their Scottish brothers and sisters become foreigners. The Union has been one of the world’s greatest success stories, which has benefitted us all. We have fought together in two world wars against tyranny (as well as in many other conflicts against threatening despots); together we initiated the industrial and agricultural revolutions; together we created the greatest and most benevolent Empire which the world has ever seen, which transformed effortlessly into today’s Commonwealth (shortly to be gloriously manifested by the Glasgow Commonwealth Games!); together we have been in the forefront of global free trade and technological advance.
“With Britain’s relationship with the European Union about to be renegotiated and probably relaxed, our future appears to be even more exhilarating. The days ahead therefore seem likely to inspire us all, and to herald an even greater chapter in the saga of our island nation. This exciting future can clearly only achieve its full potential if we remain united.
“It is therefore the ‘No’ vote, not the ‘Yes’ vote, which is the positive vote for the future.
“Yours sincerely,
“( The Executive Committee of the Swinton Circle.)”
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Membership fees and donations to the Swinton Circle can be made via PayPal on the organisation’s web-site home page at www.swintoncircle.co.uk - simply 'click' on the line "PayPal = the safer, easier way to pay online" at the bottom of the home page; if the error message "This content cannot be displayed in a Frame" appears then simply 'click' on the line "Open this Content in a New Window".
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LATEST REPORT FROM THE SANWILD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
We have recently received the following message from the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary :-
“This time around our mailer is all about rhinos and their safety and what you can do to play a meaningful role in rhino conservation.
“For us at SanWild it has always been and will always remain about individual animals. We believe that we deal with one animal at a time and because of this approach we have managed to save thousands of wild animals.
“Now let's talk rhinos for a moment and how you can help us right now to make a real difference in the lives of three orphaned rhinos! This trio is waiting for a safe home and a long-term future. Their mums were all slaughtered by ruthless poachers in an ongoing war that is being waged against South Africa's rhino and they were very fortunate to survive. Through great team work and with the help of dedicated rangers they were fortunately found in time to be rescued. Since their rescue they have been cared for pretty well, but it is now time for these little rhinos to find a new and secure home where they will be protected in perpetuity by professional and well-armed rangers while living in the wild where they belong.
“We really would like to help these little ones to find a safe home, but we simply cannot do it without your help.
“While we are setting up a very well protected rhino sanctuary and are funding the land, the training of professional counter poaching units and the deployment of the units, we need some help to raise the funds to purchase the calves. A substantial amount of money has already been spent on the rescue and subsequent feeding of these rhino calves, but the owners are keen to ensure that the animals go to a safe destination and they have agreed to allow us to make an offer to purchase the animals. I am confident that our offer will be favorably accepted and we have therefore already started on repairs on our current facilities in order to accommodate the new arrivals.
“The safety and the security of the calves makes fund-raising very difficult as we need to protect them against the preying eyes of animal traders that are buying rhino calves for export to China and Vietnam. Although calves may not be exported right away they are taken to care-giving facilities and when they are old enough these young, relatively tame animals are sent to a life in hell in China and Vietnam's rhino farms.
“We therefore ask that you place your trust in us for the time being while we give it our all to raise the required funds. Should we fail to be successful in our bid to acquire the calves it is our intention to reimburse donors or alternatively should they choose, put the funds raised into a special rhino calf trust fund that will only be used for rhino calves. However should we be successful in our efforts we will give you all the details in due course after the arrival of the animals at SanWild.
“In preparation of the arrival of the calves we are sending three staff members to a workshop presented by Karen Trendler (South Africa's leading wildlife rehabilitation expert on rhino calves) and the Endangered Wildlife Trust in Johannesburg on the 13 & 14th February 2014. We will also be most grateful for sponsorship of the three staff members to the value of R5000.00.”
SanWild can be contacted in this regard via their web-site at: www.sanwild.org
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COMMONWEALTH GAMES FEVER
Two years after the triumphant London Olympic and Paralympic Games the UK is fortunate once again to host another major global sporting extravaganza when Glasgow hosts the 2014 Commonwealth Games. We do not doubt that Glasgow will excel in providing an equally spectacular and inspiring Games as that which London produced in 2012.
The only drawback to this year’s Commonwealth Games is that they will take place against the backdrop of the controversial Scottish Constitutional Referendum, which means that the Neanderthals from the “Yes” campaign will inevitably be able to make capital out of Scottish successes both in competitions and organizationally. Those in authority therefore erred extremely badly in allowing the splittist referendum to be held so close to such a headline-grabbing event. Serious questions must be asked therefore regardless of the result of the referendum (though happily the latest opinion polls continue to show a clear majority in favour of the Unionist “No” campaign), with those responsible held to account.
The Swinton Circle received significant global interest earlier this year for their campaign to initiate regular Winter Commonwealth Games, and once the current Games are concluded the organization intends to initiate another Commonwealth Games-orientated campaign, this time advocating that only a united GB & NI team should compete in future. In this regard it was most encouraging to hear Dan Snow advocating that a united GB & NI team should compete in future Soccer World Cups on Newsnight shortly after England’s sorry early exit from this year’s tournament in Brazil!
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THE “NEW” SOUTH AFRICA SLIDES FURTHER DOWNWARDS
The London-based South African “freebee” newspaper “The South African” isn’t particularly our favourite publication. They carried a wicked smear report on a Springbok Club meeting in 2010 in which they libeled a then recently deceased member of the Springbok Club’s Executive Committee. Yes, it’s easy to libel a dead man isn’t it!
As a result the speculation was that “The South African” was controlled – or certainly heavily influenced – by the ANC. A recent report which appeared on their on-line news service dated 8th April is therefore very significant, as in it even they had to admit that “Nigeria overtakes SA as Africa’s biggest economy”.
Prior to F.W.de Klerk’s treason and sell-out of 1990 South Africa was universally accepted as “Africa’s super-power”. It was a first-world nation with an economy which was believed to exceed all of the rest of sub-Saharan Africa put together. Nigeria, on the other hand, was – and indeed still is – a third-world basket-case. Although it has massive oil reserves these remain largely unexploited due to widescale Islamic control and terrorism in the north, and rampant corruption, lawlessness and anarchy in the south. For such a chaotic nation now to have overtaken South Africa with all its natural mineral resources in the economy stakes surely says all that needs to be said about the disasters of ANC rule.
In the 25 short years since F.W.de Klerk’s surrender of the nation South Africa has therefore descended from being a first-world super-power to being placed even below the Nigerian basket-case. A very clever man was Mr. de Klerk.
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COMPUTER REPAIR SERVICES
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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
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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.
Trish also writes romantic suspense and romantic comedy fiction. www.trishjaxon.com
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"P.K. VAN DER BYL - AFRICAN STATESMAN" by Hannes Wessels
ISBN: 978-1-920143-49-7 / paperback / illustrated
Retail price: R250.00, Web-site price: R200.00 + postage
The narrative gives the reader an overview of the history of the White man in southern Africa with detailed emphasis on the Rhodesian story through the life and times of PK van der Byl, one of the major players in a political drama that ended in the accession to power of Robert Mugabe under the auspices of the British government. By his very nature PK was controversial and confrontational. This account is likely to give offence to some because it portrays him as bluntly as he was in real life. Much can be contested about PK van der Byl but few will dispute he was an extremely colourful character with a devilish sense of humour. This memoir covers his life with a full flourish while doing nothing to detract from the seriousness of the international political and military conflict in which he was engaged. The reader will glean new information on a highly controversial subject and emerge with a more sympathetic understanding of what PK van der Byl and his colleagues did and strove for. The human tragedy that has followed the removal from power of Ian Smith and his Rhodesian Front party will almost certainly force the reader to deal with some uncomfortable conclusions, of value to anyone sincere about grappling with the volatile and deeply troubling challenges that confront all Africans today.
This book and others of interest can be purchased from 30 Degrees South via their web-site: www.30degreessouth.co.za
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"BLUE WATCH" by Gwyn Fford-Osborne
Rhodesia, in 1975 and a bloody vicious civil war is at its height. A war between the White minority supported by the Black majority and the ZAPU and ZANU terrorist groups, supported by Zambia and Mozambique. Kensington, a small town in the farming belt has been the subject of several terrorist attacks but with only a small police force for defence, the local T.A. unit having been called up for service on the Zambia border the situation appears grim. Until Iffor Meredith turns up on a pilgrimage to meet up with his wife and son of his old army buddy, recently murdered by terrorists. A deadly ambush on the "Dix" family and his escape from a land mine attack makes Iffor determined to offer resistance of some form or other to the terrorists. His application to join the Rhodesian Army has been accepted and he sets about forming a small militia. With all the fit men already on call up, who can he recruit from. Then he's invited to a darts match at the Moth Club and meets up with the remnants of the town's Fire Brigade, the men considered too old for call up. Blue Watch.
Available from: www.diadembooks.com
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CREST PUBLISHING BOOKS
Crest Publishing retails books by Glenn MacAskill (ex-BSAP Special Branch) entitled "King's Gold", "Crime Lords", "Kill Victoria!", "Hunt the Assassin" and "MacKinnon's Diamond", and by the late Michael Bowery including "Canham's Run", "The Sligo Piper" "Kill the President", "Al Qaeda Armageddon" and his autobiography "Shred when Read", as well as novels by David Ruppert entitled "The Seven Watchmen" and "The Greater Glory" - all of which will be of great interest to South Africans and ex-Rhodesians.
For more information, 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" - DVD versions of the book about the history of the RLI
Now available from Msasa Enterprises. Contact: msasasa@iafrica.com or UK tel.: 07732 685400.
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
No.188 : Mr. BRUCE ILLINGWORTH of Rhodesia.
Bruce Illingworth was a proud Rhodesian who travelled to work for a few years in the UK during his youth in the early-1970s, becoming a successful manager of a Bingo hall in the south of England. He returned to Rhodesia in 1974 however, intending to establish a sanctions-busting export business specializing in soapstone carvings. Contact with him was alas lost shortly after this, but it would be very interesting to learn where he is now,
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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH
Although now slightly dated, our friends in the Australian Monarchist League constructed an excellent web-page in order to celebrate the recent highly successful visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Australia. This site is still of great interest, and can be accessed at :-
http://www.royalvisit.com.au/itinerary/
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
TRUTH COMMISSION
Sir,
I am sickened by the programmes on the BBC applauding Mandela and inferring that he is some kind of “saint”. Far from this he and that wife of his Winnie were murderers and terrorists.
I resent the brainwashing of lies that are being told to our children and the way some so called celebrities have jumped on the bandwagon.
The truth will out and posterity will condemn evil.
Yours etc.,
Mandy Lloyd, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain.
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JUDAS WATCH
Sir,
I see that that old scoundrel Allan Robertson is struggling to obtain decent speakers for the pathetic outfit which he established after he was expelled from the Swinton Circle.
In April he had as his guest speaker Mr. David Silvester, who had earlier been expelled from UKIP after making a bizarre statement that the Somerset floods were divine punishment for the legalization of same-sex marriage. Of course all decent people will oppose same-sex marriage, but to claim that the Somerset floods were caused by this is, quite frankly, bonkers!
At his next meeting in June Robertson had a well-known Holocaust-denier as his guest speaker. Bad enough in itself of course, but in a circular he sent out afterwards he boasted that the vote of thanks at this meeting was given by Christopher Luke. Not only was Luke expelled from the Swinton Circle along with Robertson after it was revealed that he was involved in the unsuccessful coup attempt, but he is also a quite open and unapologetic homosexual!
I wonder if Mr. Silvester, who in view of his opposition to same-sex marriage is presumably not particularly enamoured towards homosexuality, realizes that he graced an outfit which harbours both holocaust-deniers and overt homosexuals to its bosom? The hypocrisy seems unbelievable all the way round!
Yours etc.,
“Loyalist”, London, U.K.
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ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION
Sir,
At British Commonwealth meet-ups which are held across the country, the UK/Australia/NZ are of course main topics, but South Africa comes up occasionally, usually from a "Cautionary example" point of view. Praise for Mandela was conspicuous by its absence!
Our very best wishes to Springbok Club members everywhere...
Yours etc.,
Alan Truelove, Washington D.C., U.S.A.
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ON THE MARK
Sir,
As a British Nationalist and Unionist, I am utterly opposed not only to Scotland's seceding from the United Kingdom but to all devolution. There should be one nation with one system of local government combining the best of the English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish systems. I would restore the old pre-1964 counties and boroughs with six county councils in Northern Ireland, elections by STV and referenda on major issues.
As a monarchist, I am not only in favour of keeping existing monarchies but to restoring overthrown ones. Any growth in republican sentiment in Australia must be largely due to the anti-Australian policies of various British governments regarding immigration and the EU. We should restore the old position of Canada, Australia and New Zealand and we and all those countries should restrict immigration to those non-refugees able to read, write and speak fluent English and with something to offer them.
Reactionary, nostalgic, out of date? What if I am? It's better than being PC!
Yours etc.,
M. Taylor, London, U.K.
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OBITUARY
RUSSELL STOTTER
It was with great sadness that we recently learnt of the death of Russell Stotter at the tragically early age of only 61.
Russell Stotter was born at Salisbury, Rhodesia, in 1951. He grew up in Kitwe, Northern Rhodesia, and was educated at Churchill School in Rhodesia and at Dale College in King William’s Town, South Africa. He started his working career with Standard Bank in 1970, being stationed at branches throughout Rhodesia. At the same time he of course did his National Service, serving with the Rhodesian Corps of Signals. In 1976 he moved to Victoria Falls where he trained as a croupier. Once qualified he worked in casinos at both Kariba and Inyanga, before being appointed manager of the Montclair Casino Hotel at the age of only 32.
In 1979 he met his future wife Alice Tromm, and together they moved to Alice’s native Amsterdam in 1984, marrying five months later. They bought a café-bar on the fringe of Amsterdam’s red-light district, which they turned into a popular sports-themed venue showing South African rugby videos, evidently obtaining more customers than the near-by red-light district attractions! The South African Cricket team patronized the venue during the 1999 Cricket World Cup, and they sponsored a Dutch team in the Hong Kong Sevens tournament, as well as an Amsterdam students’ rugby club. It was here that we first met Russell when the Springbok Club staged a trip to Amsterdam in 1999. A quite and unassuming man, Russell impressed us greatly by his clear enduring love for Rhodesia, particularly concerning its history, sporting achievements and wildlife.
Shortly after this, frustrated by all the massive business regulations in the Netherlands and wishing to live in a warmer climate, Russell and Alice moved to Tavira in Portugal, and it was here that Russell sadly died in May 2013. He was dressed in his Springbok tracksuit for his funeral, the Rhodesian flag was draped across his coffin, and “Rise Oh Voices of Rhodesia” was played. Alice then returned briefly to Zimbabwe where she scattered Russell’s ashes over Lake Kariba.
Russell Stotter was a great man, the kind which Rhodesia regularly managed to produce. We are honoured to have been able to meet him, and our sincere condolences are extended to Alice and to all the many other members of his family.
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See you again next month!
July 2014 edition
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War One, the bloodiest conflict in human history in which tens of millions of Europeans of all nationalities needlessly lost their lives. Moreover, it has rightly been observed that whilst this basically European conflict was taking place the non-White races around the world had every reason to sit back and smile.
Worryingly there now appear to be certain pro-EU elements around the world who are asserting that Germany did not initiate WWI. Strictly speaking they are of course correct, as it was Austria-Hungary who first unjustifiably declared war on Serbia. Closer investigation, however, reveals that the fossilized Austro-Hungarian government was pressurized into this declaration of war by their far more dominant ally Germany. Furthermore, it was Germany who subsequently declared war unilaterally on France following Russia’s mobilization of troops in support of the Serbian people – and then invaded totally neutral Belgium in order to attack France!
But of course Germany had been itching to initiate a massive European war for some time, with the clear aim of establishing Berlin’s hegemony across the whole continent. In 1905 the Tangier Crisis first threatened to unleash such a continental conflict, and was only defused when Germany found itself practically isolated at the Conference of Algeciras. Tensions rose again during the Agadir Crisis of 1911, another clear attempt by the German government to provoke a European conflagration. There can be no doubt whatsoever therefore that the blame for starting World War One lies squarely at the door of Germany, and Germany alone.
Perhaps however it is inaccurate to blame Germany per se for all this warmongering. When the history of the 19th century is examined it can clearly be seen that 20th century German aggression was simply a continuation of Prussian expansionism. Both during the war of 1848-51 and again in 1864 Prussia fought unprovoked wars against Denmark simply in order to seize the Danish duchies of Schleswig and Holstein (areas which still haven’t been returned to Denmark!). In 1866 Prussia fought another totally unjustifiable war, this time against Austria-Hungary, purely in order to establish itself as the dominant German-speaking state. Then of course there was the inexcusable Franco-Prussian War, after which Prussia not only transmogrified itself into the German “Empire”, but also made a further illegal land-grab, this time of Alsace and Lorraine. Quite clearly therefore there has been a devil at work for the past 200 or so years somewhere in the German – or should we say Prussian – soul.
But to return to World War One, the centenary of the start of which we are marking this month. Not only was Germany the clear instigator of this conflict, but was also guilty of a whole range of atrocities which today would be regarded as war crimes. Their use of poison gas was the first example of WMDs being deployed, and the arbitrary executions of captured prisoners, the shootings of French and Belgian civilians simply for protesting against the invasions of their countries, and of course the sadistic bayoneting of Belgian babies, were all examples of pure evil which can never be justified by any civilized person. The horrendous atrocities committed by the Germans during World War Two are alas often white-washed by claiming that they were “Nazi atrocities” rather than “German atrocities” – but except for scale is there any real difference between the evils of the Holocaust and the evil actions of bayoneting Belgian babies?
It is a big unsolved mystery why at the Versailles Peace Conference, unlike what happened to the two lesser belligerent powers of Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, Germany wasn’t also split into its component parts, or why areas of its European lands weren’t handed to those countries which it invaded as compensation. “If” of course is always a big word in history, but is seems quite clear that if Germany had been split into its component parts like Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire then there would have been no Nazis, no World War Two, a probable collapse of the Soviet Union far earlier, and no disintegration of the great European global empires. In short the world today would be a far better place than it actually is!
What is even more inexplicable is why the lessons of this mistake were not learnt after the end of WWII. Although Germany was partitioned between the Western Zones (which became the GFR) and the Soviet Zone (which became the GDR), these two states were easily reunified following the collapse of the Iron Curtain. If Germany had instead been split into its several pre-19th century nation-states, with only a shrunken Prussia too weak exercise any hegemony, then this spectre is highly unlikely ever to have come about. As it is, of course, during the latter half of the 20th century Germany simply tried to achieve by “peaceful” means what it had twice earlier that century failed to achieve by more violent methods, in the form of the establishment of the EU. As a result of this “European Project” – more accurately called the “German Project” – most southern European nations, and increasingly eastern European states also, now live in penury and under the dictat of their German masters.
Let’s not be too pessimistic however. Although twice during the first half of the 20th Century Germany tried to conquer and control the whole of Europe, they failed on both occasions. There is no reason therefore to doubt that they will now fail again in their more “peaceful” attempts to achieve the same aims – especially as EuroScepticism is now so firmly on the ascendancy in so many European countries. Once they fail again then some means must be found to do what should have been done in 1919 and again in 1945, namely to split Germany into its various component parts. Such an outcome will be the only valid and accepted memorial to all those innocent Serbs, Russians, Frenchmen and women, Belgians and Britons who needlessly lost heir lives as a result of German aggression during World War One.
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SPRINGBOK CLUB NEWS
Unfortunately the inclement weather meant that the turnout for the Springbok Club’s June activity, the trip to the Olympic Park and the rejuvenated Lea Valley, was not as large as was hoped and expected. Once the rain had cleared away those who did attend enjoyed a most pleasant and inspiring day however, which included a trip inside the Olympic Velodrome to see some of the training runs being made by national and local cyclists, and outdoor viewings of the Copper Box, the Olympic Stadium and the Aquatic Centre. After the stroll down the picturesque Lea Valley the remaining members of the party adjourned to a hostelry at the near-by Westfield Centre in Stratford for a most convivial ending to a very enjoyable day.
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For its July event the Springbok Club will be joining forces with the Swinton Circle in order to stage a meeting to be addressed by a leading official of a pro-British Overseas Territories organization. This promises to be a most enthralling event, which will be held on Thursday 31st July at a venue in central London, commencing at 19.00 hrs. All members of both the Springbok Club and the Swinton Circle will be notified of the precise details of this event in due course, but if any other reader would like to attend simply e-mail: springbok@netcomuk.co.uk for more information.
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In September the Springbok Club will be staging a meeting which will be addressed by a leading member of the organization who will have just returned from a professional contract in the “new” South Africa, and who will tell something about the true conditions currently prevailing there. In November the Springbok Club plans to stage its annual UDI Day celebration buffet, at which there will be a guest speaker with strong Rhodesian connections.
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Later during the year the London Branch of the Springbok Club is planning a trip to a special exhibition at the Imperial War Museum, and the Kent Branch will be organising a trip to see some of the historical sites of the Medway Towns, as well as staging an informal social gathering in Canterbury
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SWINTON CIRCLE NEWS
In June the Swinton Circle gave its full support to New Britain’s annual Canada Day celebrations, which this year took the form of a musical evening at a venue in the City of London. There was a very high percentage of Swinton Circle members and supporters who attended this event, thus illustrating the increasingly close friendship and co-operation between the two organizations, and they were all in agreement in praising New Britain for organizing such a splendid event.
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On Thursday 31st July the Swinton Circle will be joining forces with the Springbok Club in order to stage an meeting to be addressed by a leading official from a pro-British Overseas Territories organization, as detailed more fully in the Springbok Club column above.
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In August the Swinton Circle will be staging a meeting to be addressed by a prominent former Conservative MP. Fuller details will be given in next month’s SCN.
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As part of its campaign in support of a “No” vote in the forthcoming Scottish Constitutional Referendum the Swinton Circle has sent the following letter to all Scottish daily newspapers :-
“Dear Sir,
“It is often claimed by the ‘Yes’ campaign in the Scottish Referendum debate that most English people secretly hope that Scotland breaks away, or at least couldn’t care less. As a London-based Conservative organisation with our finger very much on the English political pulse we can assert categorically that this is not the case.
“The vast majority of English people value the Union, and do not wish to see their Scottish brothers and sisters become foreigners. The Union has been one of the world’s greatest success stories, which has benefitted us all. We have fought together in two world wars against tyranny (as well as in many other conflicts against threatening despots); together we initiated the industrial and agricultural revolutions; together we created the greatest and most benevolent Empire which the world has ever seen, which transformed effortlessly into today’s Commonwealth (shortly to be gloriously manifested by the Glasgow Commonwealth Games!); together we have been in the forefront of global free trade and technological advance.
“With Britain’s relationship with the European Union about to be renegotiated and probably relaxed, our future appears to be even more exhilarating. The days ahead therefore seem likely to inspire us all, and to herald an even greater chapter in the saga of our island nation. This exciting future can clearly only achieve its full potential if we remain united.
“It is therefore the ‘No’ vote, not the ‘Yes’ vote, which is the positive vote for the future.
“Yours sincerely,
“( The Executive Committee of the Swinton Circle.)”
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Membership fees and donations to the Swinton Circle can be made via PayPal on the organisation’s web-site home page at www.swintoncircle.co.uk - simply 'click' on the line "PayPal = the safer, easier way to pay online" at the bottom of the home page; if the error message "This content cannot be displayed in a Frame" appears then simply 'click' on the line "Open this Content in a New Window".
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LATEST REPORT FROM THE SANWILD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
We have recently received the following message from the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary :-
“This time around our mailer is all about rhinos and their safety and what you can do to play a meaningful role in rhino conservation.
“For us at SanWild it has always been and will always remain about individual animals. We believe that we deal with one animal at a time and because of this approach we have managed to save thousands of wild animals.
“Now let's talk rhinos for a moment and how you can help us right now to make a real difference in the lives of three orphaned rhinos! This trio is waiting for a safe home and a long-term future. Their mums were all slaughtered by ruthless poachers in an ongoing war that is being waged against South Africa's rhino and they were very fortunate to survive. Through great team work and with the help of dedicated rangers they were fortunately found in time to be rescued. Since their rescue they have been cared for pretty well, but it is now time for these little rhinos to find a new and secure home where they will be protected in perpetuity by professional and well-armed rangers while living in the wild where they belong.
“We really would like to help these little ones to find a safe home, but we simply cannot do it without your help.
“While we are setting up a very well protected rhino sanctuary and are funding the land, the training of professional counter poaching units and the deployment of the units, we need some help to raise the funds to purchase the calves. A substantial amount of money has already been spent on the rescue and subsequent feeding of these rhino calves, but the owners are keen to ensure that the animals go to a safe destination and they have agreed to allow us to make an offer to purchase the animals. I am confident that our offer will be favorably accepted and we have therefore already started on repairs on our current facilities in order to accommodate the new arrivals.
“The safety and the security of the calves makes fund-raising very difficult as we need to protect them against the preying eyes of animal traders that are buying rhino calves for export to China and Vietnam. Although calves may not be exported right away they are taken to care-giving facilities and when they are old enough these young, relatively tame animals are sent to a life in hell in China and Vietnam's rhino farms.
“We therefore ask that you place your trust in us for the time being while we give it our all to raise the required funds. Should we fail to be successful in our bid to acquire the calves it is our intention to reimburse donors or alternatively should they choose, put the funds raised into a special rhino calf trust fund that will only be used for rhino calves. However should we be successful in our efforts we will give you all the details in due course after the arrival of the animals at SanWild.
“In preparation of the arrival of the calves we are sending three staff members to a workshop presented by Karen Trendler (South Africa's leading wildlife rehabilitation expert on rhino calves) and the Endangered Wildlife Trust in Johannesburg on the 13 & 14th February 2014. We will also be most grateful for sponsorship of the three staff members to the value of R5000.00.”
SanWild can be contacted in this regard via their web-site at: www.sanwild.org
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COMMONWEALTH GAMES FEVER
Two years after the triumphant London Olympic and Paralympic Games the UK is fortunate once again to host another major global sporting extravaganza when Glasgow hosts the 2014 Commonwealth Games. We do not doubt that Glasgow will excel in providing an equally spectacular and inspiring Games as that which London produced in 2012.
The only drawback to this year’s Commonwealth Games is that they will take place against the backdrop of the controversial Scottish Constitutional Referendum, which means that the Neanderthals from the “Yes” campaign will inevitably be able to make capital out of Scottish successes both in competitions and organizationally. Those in authority therefore erred extremely badly in allowing the splittist referendum to be held so close to such a headline-grabbing event. Serious questions must be asked therefore regardless of the result of the referendum (though happily the latest opinion polls continue to show a clear majority in favour of the Unionist “No” campaign), with those responsible held to account.
The Swinton Circle received significant global interest earlier this year for their campaign to initiate regular Winter Commonwealth Games, and once the current Games are concluded the organization intends to initiate another Commonwealth Games-orientated campaign, this time advocating that only a united GB & NI team should compete in future. In this regard it was most encouraging to hear Dan Snow advocating that a united GB & NI team should compete in future Soccer World Cups on Newsnight shortly after England’s sorry early exit from this year’s tournament in Brazil!
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THE “NEW” SOUTH AFRICA SLIDES FURTHER DOWNWARDS
The London-based South African “freebee” newspaper “The South African” isn’t particularly our favourite publication. They carried a wicked smear report on a Springbok Club meeting in 2010 in which they libeled a then recently deceased member of the Springbok Club’s Executive Committee. Yes, it’s easy to libel a dead man isn’t it!
As a result the speculation was that “The South African” was controlled – or certainly heavily influenced – by the ANC. A recent report which appeared on their on-line news service dated 8th April is therefore very significant, as in it even they had to admit that “Nigeria overtakes SA as Africa’s biggest economy”.
Prior to F.W.de Klerk’s treason and sell-out of 1990 South Africa was universally accepted as “Africa’s super-power”. It was a first-world nation with an economy which was believed to exceed all of the rest of sub-Saharan Africa put together. Nigeria, on the other hand, was – and indeed still is – a third-world basket-case. Although it has massive oil reserves these remain largely unexploited due to widescale Islamic control and terrorism in the north, and rampant corruption, lawlessness and anarchy in the south. For such a chaotic nation now to have overtaken South Africa with all its natural mineral resources in the economy stakes surely says all that needs to be said about the disasters of ANC rule.
In the 25 short years since F.W.de Klerk’s surrender of the nation South Africa has therefore descended from being a first-world super-power to being placed even below the Nigerian basket-case. A very clever man was Mr. de Klerk.
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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
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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.
Trish also writes romantic suspense and romantic comedy fiction. www.trishjaxon.com
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"P.K. VAN DER BYL - AFRICAN STATESMAN" by Hannes Wessels
ISBN: 978-1-920143-49-7 / paperback / illustrated
Retail price: R250.00, Web-site price: R200.00 + postage
The narrative gives the reader an overview of the history of the White man in southern Africa with detailed emphasis on the Rhodesian story through the life and times of PK van der Byl, one of the major players in a political drama that ended in the accession to power of Robert Mugabe under the auspices of the British government. By his very nature PK was controversial and confrontational. This account is likely to give offence to some because it portrays him as bluntly as he was in real life. Much can be contested about PK van der Byl but few will dispute he was an extremely colourful character with a devilish sense of humour. This memoir covers his life with a full flourish while doing nothing to detract from the seriousness of the international political and military conflict in which he was engaged. The reader will glean new information on a highly controversial subject and emerge with a more sympathetic understanding of what PK van der Byl and his colleagues did and strove for. The human tragedy that has followed the removal from power of Ian Smith and his Rhodesian Front party will almost certainly force the reader to deal with some uncomfortable conclusions, of value to anyone sincere about grappling with the volatile and deeply troubling challenges that confront all Africans today.
This book and others of interest can be purchased from 30 Degrees South via their web-site: www.30degreessouth.co.za
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"BLUE WATCH" by Gwyn Fford-Osborne
Rhodesia, in 1975 and a bloody vicious civil war is at its height. A war between the White minority supported by the Black majority and the ZAPU and ZANU terrorist groups, supported by Zambia and Mozambique. Kensington, a small town in the farming belt has been the subject of several terrorist attacks but with only a small police force for defence, the local T.A. unit having been called up for service on the Zambia border the situation appears grim. Until Iffor Meredith turns up on a pilgrimage to meet up with his wife and son of his old army buddy, recently murdered by terrorists. A deadly ambush on the "Dix" family and his escape from a land mine attack makes Iffor determined to offer resistance of some form or other to the terrorists. His application to join the Rhodesian Army has been accepted and he sets about forming a small militia. With all the fit men already on call up, who can he recruit from. Then he's invited to a darts match at the Moth Club and meets up with the remnants of the town's Fire Brigade, the men considered too old for call up. Blue Watch.
Available from: www.diadembooks.com
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CREST PUBLISHING BOOKS
Crest Publishing retails books by Glenn MacAskill (ex-BSAP Special Branch) entitled "King's Gold", "Crime Lords", "Kill Victoria!", "Hunt the Assassin" and "MacKinnon's Diamond", and by the late Michael Bowery including "Canham's Run", "The Sligo Piper" "Kill the President", "Al Qaeda Armageddon" and his autobiography "Shred when Read", as well as novels by David Ruppert entitled "The Seven Watchmen" and "The Greater Glory" - all of which will be of great interest to South Africans and ex-Rhodesians.
For more information, 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!
----------------------------
"THE SAINTS" - DVD versions of the book about the history of the RLI
Now available from Msasa Enterprises. Contact: msasasa@iafrica.com or UK tel.: 07732 685400.
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
No.188 : Mr. BRUCE ILLINGWORTH of Rhodesia.
Bruce Illingworth was a proud Rhodesian who travelled to work for a few years in the UK during his youth in the early-1970s, becoming a successful manager of a Bingo hall in the south of England. He returned to Rhodesia in 1974 however, intending to establish a sanctions-busting export business specializing in soapstone carvings. Contact with him was alas lost shortly after this, but it would be very interesting to learn where he is now,
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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH
Although now slightly dated, our friends in the Australian Monarchist League constructed an excellent web-page in order to celebrate the recent highly successful visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Australia. This site is still of great interest, and can be accessed at :-
http://www.royalvisit.com.au/itinerary/
-----------------------------------------------------------------
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
TRUTH COMMISSION
Sir,
I am sickened by the programmes on the BBC applauding Mandela and inferring that he is some kind of “saint”. Far from this he and that wife of his Winnie were murderers and terrorists.
I resent the brainwashing of lies that are being told to our children and the way some so called celebrities have jumped on the bandwagon.
The truth will out and posterity will condemn evil.
Yours etc.,
Mandy Lloyd, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain.
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JUDAS WATCH
Sir,
I see that that old scoundrel Allan Robertson is struggling to obtain decent speakers for the pathetic outfit which he established after he was expelled from the Swinton Circle.
In April he had as his guest speaker Mr. David Silvester, who had earlier been expelled from UKIP after making a bizarre statement that the Somerset floods were divine punishment for the legalization of same-sex marriage. Of course all decent people will oppose same-sex marriage, but to claim that the Somerset floods were caused by this is, quite frankly, bonkers!
At his next meeting in June Robertson had a well-known Holocaust-denier as his guest speaker. Bad enough in itself of course, but in a circular he sent out afterwards he boasted that the vote of thanks at this meeting was given by Christopher Luke. Not only was Luke expelled from the Swinton Circle along with Robertson after it was revealed that he was involved in the unsuccessful coup attempt, but he is also a quite open and unapologetic homosexual!
I wonder if Mr. Silvester, who in view of his opposition to same-sex marriage is presumably not particularly enamoured towards homosexuality, realizes that he graced an outfit which harbours both holocaust-deniers and overt homosexuals to its bosom? The hypocrisy seems unbelievable all the way round!
Yours etc.,
“Loyalist”, London, U.K.
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ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION
Sir,
At British Commonwealth meet-ups which are held across the country, the UK/Australia/NZ are of course main topics, but South Africa comes up occasionally, usually from a "Cautionary example" point of view. Praise for Mandela was conspicuous by its absence!
Our very best wishes to Springbok Club members everywhere...
Yours etc.,
Alan Truelove, Washington D.C., U.S.A.
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ON THE MARK
Sir,
As a British Nationalist and Unionist, I am utterly opposed not only to Scotland's seceding from the United Kingdom but to all devolution. There should be one nation with one system of local government combining the best of the English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish systems. I would restore the old pre-1964 counties and boroughs with six county councils in Northern Ireland, elections by STV and referenda on major issues.
As a monarchist, I am not only in favour of keeping existing monarchies but to restoring overthrown ones. Any growth in republican sentiment in Australia must be largely due to the anti-Australian policies of various British governments regarding immigration and the EU. We should restore the old position of Canada, Australia and New Zealand and we and all those countries should restrict immigration to those non-refugees able to read, write and speak fluent English and with something to offer them.
Reactionary, nostalgic, out of date? What if I am? It's better than being PC!
Yours etc.,
M. Taylor, London, U.K.
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OBITUARY
RUSSELL STOTTER
It was with great sadness that we recently learnt of the death of Russell Stotter at the tragically early age of only 61.
Russell Stotter was born at Salisbury, Rhodesia, in 1951. He grew up in Kitwe, Northern Rhodesia, and was educated at Churchill School in Rhodesia and at Dale College in King William’s Town, South Africa. He started his working career with Standard Bank in 1970, being stationed at branches throughout Rhodesia. At the same time he of course did his National Service, serving with the Rhodesian Corps of Signals. In 1976 he moved to Victoria Falls where he trained as a croupier. Once qualified he worked in casinos at both Kariba and Inyanga, before being appointed manager of the Montclair Casino Hotel at the age of only 32.
In 1979 he met his future wife Alice Tromm, and together they moved to Alice’s native Amsterdam in 1984, marrying five months later. They bought a café-bar on the fringe of Amsterdam’s red-light district, which they turned into a popular sports-themed venue showing South African rugby videos, evidently obtaining more customers than the near-by red-light district attractions! The South African Cricket team patronized the venue during the 1999 Cricket World Cup, and they sponsored a Dutch team in the Hong Kong Sevens tournament, as well as an Amsterdam students’ rugby club. It was here that we first met Russell when the Springbok Club staged a trip to Amsterdam in 1999. A quite and unassuming man, Russell impressed us greatly by his clear enduring love for Rhodesia, particularly concerning its history, sporting achievements and wildlife.
Shortly after this, frustrated by all the massive business regulations in the Netherlands and wishing to live in a warmer climate, Russell and Alice moved to Tavira in Portugal, and it was here that Russell sadly died in May 2013. He was dressed in his Springbok tracksuit for his funeral, the Rhodesian flag was draped across his coffin, and “Rise Oh Voices of Rhodesia” was played. Alice then returned briefly to Zimbabwe where she scattered Russell’s ashes over Lake Kariba.
Russell Stotter was a great man, the kind which Rhodesia regularly managed to produce. We are honoured to have been able to meet him, and our sincere condolences are extended to Alice and to all the many other members of his family.
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