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FOR MEMBERSHIP & GENERAL ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT THEUNS EKSTEEN AT 049-8922983

Hot off the Press !!

WILL THE NEW COUNCIL ACT RESPONSIBLY TOWARDS THE ENVIRONMENT ?

The Local Government Elections are over and there is divided opinion on the outcome. Of course there will be the usual expectations (and promises) of job creation, improved service delivery, etc. However, the one burning issue that can no longer be ignored is the one of the Environment and the various impacts growth in the Camdeboo is having on it. Signs of environmental degradation, as a result of human encroachment (with a myriad of intrusive activities), are highly visible everywhere, especially the areas bordering on the Camdeboo National Park. Are some of our natural resources being over-exploited? What are the checks and balances ~ if any? According to Schedule 4 (Part A) of our Constitution (108/1996), Environmental Management & Nature Conservation are Provincial competencies; therefore not

Municipal functions. Yet Environmental legislation demands of Municipalities to have Environmental Management Plans and the like in place, but with no Environmental units, how can these be effectively implemented & enforced? If, on the one hand, it is stated that we are being governed by a developmental Local Government then how, on the other hand, can this statement be justified when the trade-off (in the name of progress) is the wholesale destruction of our natural and built environment? One solution would be for Provincial Government to deploy suitably qualified and experienced Environmental Officers within the various Municipal areas, with adequate budgets and the necessary capacity to perform their various duties. The necessity for such a function at local level cannot be over-emphasized.

granaat NEWSLETTER May / June 2011

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Features

VLIEË WAT BYT ! Stemdag was (vir sommige) ‘n rustige en luilekker, middel-van-die-week, sit-in-die-son-en-niksdoendag. Ek het so half bedwelmd deur die flou herfsson (of was dit die glasie of twee rooiwyn met my middagete?) in my piepklein tuintjie gesit en droom, toe ek skielik bewus word van ‘n steekpyn bokant my linker-enkel. Eers gedink dis dalk ‘n verdwaalde muskiet en die pyn probeer ignoreer, maar moes naderhand vooroor buk om van die lastige ding ontslae te raak. Groot was my verbasing toe ek ‘n vlieg daar sien sit, met ‘n plassie bloed wat hy (of sy) gulsig sit en opslurp. ‘n Bloedsuiende vlieg? Ek het nog nie voorheen so-iets beleef nie en jaag die huis in om my kamera te kry. Net ‘n paar minute nadat ek weer buite gaan sit het, is dieselfde vlieg terug, die keer met ‘n klompie maats. Vir my het hulle soos gewone vaal huisvlieë gelyk, met ‘n paar pragtige groen brommertjies tussen-in. Ek weet ook sommer hoekom die pestelensies daar rondhang, want nie te vèr van my af nie, woon mense met groot honde wat, umm… gróót gemors maak, wat selde of ooit verwyder word.

Twee vlieë maak hulself dié slag op my enkels tuis en ek kyk hoe elk met ‘n suigslurp (proboscis) in my vel in boor totdat ‘n klein druppeltjie bloed opwel en hulle aan die drinke gaan. Natuurlik is daar ‘n perk aan hoeveel pyn ‘n mens kan verduur in die naam van wetenskap en nadat ek ‘n paar fotos geneem het, het ek die goed weggejaag en die bytplekke met brandspiritus ontsmet.

Stomoxys calcitrans, afgeneem op 18/05/2011

Op die internet het my navorsing nogal ‘n paar interessante feite opgelewer : Wêreldwyd is daar meer as 120,000

species vlieë, waarvan 3 uitgesonder word as problematies vir mens en dier, naamlik : Huisvlieg (Musca domestica /

House Fly);

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Stalvlieg (Stomoxys calcitrans / Stable Fly), o.b.a. Hondvlieg;

Brommers ~ groenes & bloues (Blow Flies, Bottle Flies)

(Daar is natuurlik ook die Culicoides imicola muggie waaroor in die vorige uitgawe van Granaat geskryf was.)

Die huisvlieg is verantwoordelik vir die verspreiding van sowat 100 patogeen-verwante siektes wat vir mens en dier groot ongemak en selfs die dood kan veroorsaak.

Volwasse vlieë leef vir gemiddeld 20 dae (stalvlieë soms tot 60 dae). In hierdie kort lewenssiklus paar en broei hulle dat dit klap en ‘n wyfie kan tot 500 eiers op ‘n slag lê.

http://www.bayerhome.co.za/?option=3&id=1&com_id=114&parent_id=93&com_task=1

Die stalvlieg lyk baie soos die

huisvlieg, behalwe dat sy sterk tong soos ‘n bajonet voor sy kop uitsteek. Die stalvlieg word beskryf as ‘n “steen des aanstoots”, wat allerhande gevaarlike siektes versprei deur middel van die besmette bloed wat vanaf sy suigslurp (tong) na sy gasheer oorgedra word. Mannetjies en wyfies moet minstens een of twee maal per dag bloed suig; die wyfies is egter vraatsiger en lê soms eiers in

hul gasheer se vel terwyl hulle voed. Daarbenewens is hierdie ‘n baie taai insek, wat kilometers vèr sal vlieg agter sy volgende maaltyd aan.

Geїntegreerde en meer omgewings- vriendelike metodes van vliegbeheer word deesdae toegepas, deur die gebruik van chemiese middels aan te vul (selfs te vervang) met die gereelde loslaat van parasitiese wespe wat uitsluitlik op vliegpapies voed.

Siektes gekoppel aan die stalvlieg sluit in Gal-, Knopvel- & Olifantvelsiekte; lg het al steriliteit by wildebeesbulle ver-oorsaak. Een (oningeligde?) persoon beweer selfs dat hierdie vlieg verantwoordelik is vir die verspreiding van VIGS! Toe ek dít lees gryp ek sommer dadelik na my telefoon…

Is die enigste goeie vlieg ‘n dooie vlieg? Doen uself ‘n guns en lees die aangehegte artikel gn. “Vlieg weg, klein verpesting!” Ek sluit af met ‘n gediggie deur BERG :

2,034… die vlieë wat aan my karkas vreet zoem die nuus van my dood oor die verlate vlaktes

http://www.woes.co.za/bydrae/druk/gedig/2034die-vliee

http://we-are-awesome.com/blog/wp-

content/uploads/2009/10/dead_flies_art_04.jpg

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EXPLOITING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

Camdeboo and environs appear to have become a focal point for alternative, renewable and non-renewable energy initiatives. During the past few months several notices have appeared in our local newspaper, advertising the commencement of Environmental Impact Studies or the commissioning of Environmental Management Plans for, inter alia : Shale gas exploration in the Karoo

Basin; A wind-power farm (turbines) on a

site close to Aberdeen; A solar-power farm (panels) on a site

in Graaff-Reinet. Other EIAs in the pipeline are for : The upgrading of Graaff-Reinet’s

Emergency Water Supply (infra-structure inclusive of boreholes and

pipeline, situated between the airport and town, alongside the N9);

And, take note : the reconstruction of the Vodacom tower and enlargement of the site on Magazine Hill.

Are these developments being monitored and are people fully aware of the impact they may have on our environment? If we can’t stop the tide, we can at least be pro-active in our attempts to mitigate the damage. Have your say and play a meaningful role by registering as an Interested & Affected Party.

Two definitions of Alternative Energy Energy derived from sources that do

not use up natural resources or harm the environment.

Generally, any source of energy not derived from traditional fossil fuels (i.e. oil, natural gas and coal) and thus results in less pollution.

Two definitions of Renewable Energy Energy generated from natural

resources, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides (i.e. the ocean) and geo-thermal heat, which are renewable (naturally replenished).

Energy that comes from sources that can be replaced, such as sun, wind, waves, biofuels.

Definition of Non-renewable Energy A natural resource which cannot be produced, re-grown, regenerated, or reused on a scale which can sustain its consumption rate (such as oil, coal & natural gas). [Sources : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy; www.edfenergy.com/powerup/power/glossary.html; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-renewable_energy; www.globalization101.org/issue_sub/energyglosary/energy_glossary]

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Food for Thought Having destroyed the beauty and heritage in the name of progress and growth, the scavengers, like a pack of hyenas, had moved on seeking other areas of charm and grace to destroy. [Source: William Diehl, thanks to Natalie Buffard and Barbara Salter]

Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; Everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted. [Source: Thanks to Hester Steynberg]

Take two playing cards and lean one against the other in an inverted 'v'. What you now have is a graphical representation of humans and nature. Now try taking one card away, or even just nudging it a bit! [Source: Jim Thomson, Jejane]

Life is short ...forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably. [Source: Lisa Hinkle]

Flat veld sandpapered to smoothness Distant antheaps like pimples on a boy’s face Deep dongas offering the therapy of shade Shadows as pale as hotel soup Birds interfering with the sky Fish, making the water drunk The approaching storm coughing out its red dust The Karoo says: The infinity of space is positive and negative space cancelling out each other The infinity of time is negative and positive time cancelling out each other Life is sculptured time By living we make shapes in time Karoo mountains – A fierce beauty for the initiated only Karoo hour – An hour without omen [Source: Walter Battiss, with thanks to Helene Smuts]

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Did you Know ? Granaat’s Steak Evening on 12th April

was a roaring success, with almost a 100 guests in attendance! This was a fundraising event towards the building of a lapa behind the offices of the Camdeboo National Park. Construction is already underway (with special thanks to Fransie and Magda Naudé), but more funds will soon be needed to complete the facility, which will serve as the venue for future Granaat meetings, as well as other functions or gatherings sanctioned by the Park Management.

Any suggestions as to how we can obtain sponsorship for this worthy cause will be appreciated.

On 10th June 2011 it will be exactly 4

months that the Nqweba Dam has been overflowing ~ an all-time record!

Woensdagaand, 15 Junie 2011, vind ‘n totale maansverduistering plaas. Vanaf so 20:30 behoort u die verdonkering aan die een kant van die maan te kan waarneem en sowat ‘n uur later, die totale verduistering. Teen middernag sal dit weer volmaan wees.

Tydens die laaste Granaatvergadering

(gehou op 10 Mei 2011) is dit voorgestel en eenparig deur die lede aanvaar dat die huidige komitee met hul portefeuljes in plek bly om hul tweejaar-termyn tot volgende jaar te voltooi.

Daar is kennis geneem van Brian

Charles se lang en ernstige siekbed, as gevolg van slenkdalkoors, en lede het hom ‘n spoedige en volkome herstel toegewens.

Upcoming Events Please note that our ordinary meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and start at 6pm sharp. Bring along a chair and something for the braai afterwards. The June meeting venue (and for the rest of winter) is the lapa of Helen and Ferdi de Wet in Adendorp. We look forward to seeing you!

Interested in Birdwatching? Why not join the Graaff-Reinet Bird Club? They have a monthly birding outing, followed by a sociable braai, on the 1st Saturday of each month. Subs are only R30.00 p.a. Contact Judy Caryer at tel. 049-8910353 or e-mail caryer@isat.co.za for more information.

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Granaat Komitee Kontakbesonderhede

PORTEFEULJE LID TEL / SELFOON E-POS ADRES Voorsitter Theuns Eksteen 049-8922983 theunsdaf@telkomsa.net Onder-voorsitter Brian Charles 049-8924662 - Sekretaris Claud Arnott 049-8910369 dustcon@quicksa.com

Tesourier Christo Vorster 049-8922032 VorsterinGR@telkomsa.net Nuusbrief Redaksie & Bemarking

Leonie Fouché Roy Stauth

082 7077 403 049-8911042

fouchel@camdeboo.gov.za shirleyroy@mweb.co.za

Please help us to keep our Members’ List current by paying your outstanding subscription fee. Only R50.00 per annum and you get to join us at our monthly braai, receive an informative newsletter every two months and participate in any other events that are arranged during the course of the year. (Pay less for two or more.) Annual subs are renewable now, so please remember to bring yours with to our next meeting ~ thanks!

Help ons om Nuusbriewe en ander belangrike inligting vinniger en meer doeltreffend by u te kry. Die Komitee rig ‘n beroep op alle lede wie beskik oor ‘n e-pos fasiliteit, om asseblief hul e-pos adres aan die Klub Sekretaris (Claud Arnott) of Tesourier (Christo Vorster) te verskaf. Onthou om asseblief u R2.00 bydrae vir die braaihout saam te bring na elke vergadering ~ baie dankie!

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT : Cover Page image of Rhigozum Obovatum with the kind permission of USA photographer Michael Charters http://www.calflora.net OTHER PHOTOS : Leonie Fouché or internet sources where indicated.

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Die volgende artikel verskyn op die uiters interessante webwerf van Mieliestronk.com

http://www.mieliestronk.com

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Bron : http://www.mieliestronk.com/vlieg.html