This one is from Nico Botha in Australia
Frans Badenhorst had a cultural experience for his second son, Japie, the other day. He was teaching him that boerewors is a tradition that needs to be mastered in many ways! We have come to the conclusion that our kids needs to be taught how to make wors, prior to "stuffing" their faces at each and every braai!
It went well, and Japie learned well for his first lesson under the watchful eye of Frans, Louis van Zyl and myself! Yes we did give him some stick, but it as we all know part of the learning curve into being able to make wors like the manne!!
We thought that a large number of South African kids live abroad, and through your monthly newsletter we should explore the avenues their folks follow to "Keep up the South African Traditions, and most of all our morals and principals, that we are all known for.
Perhaps we should ask the parents what do they do to keep in touch with the Homeland, "Subscribe to the
Huisgenoot,
Sarie, or
Landbou Weekblad,
Rapport or Sunday Times!
Or do they have storieboeke, like
Sias and
Mias or whatever they need sent to them.
I think we will have a good old laugh with what will come out from all over the world!
"Yes"! "There is a madness in place here" as we (
die ou manne) now wish to sit back, get the kids to make the wors, stywe pap en sous, start the braai , know the harde hout types available in their local
kontrei for the
vuur and then
braai and fetch us a "cold one" out of the beer fridge. And then they can ear drop on the conversation of the good old times!
But if they burn the meat, or
braai broodjies they will be dropped from the elite core of YBELOSA (that stands for Young Boerewors Experts Living Outside South Africa)
Perhaps the
Ou Toppies needs to show us what they do, to achieve their goals for the kids!
But seeing that women have an equal say in the modern world we could see a mum coming forward, with little Sannie and blow us all away with how they teach the daughters to make
wors, or start a
harde hout vuur !!
Last but not least, I have decided to challenge the
Boerewors empire manne with a competition to where they keep the "frosties"!
We in a day of (BB) "Brain Brightness" be
kwassed my beer fridge with a "true reflection of African colours!!
As Mzwandile will say " this one is looking good brother!
I also think we should have little snippets of previous stories or goeters paste onto the web to show the rest of the newly arrived Global Boerewors Empire migrants what we have discussed, did and achieved.
That Vlermuis storie is still doing the laughs here locally!!
Well it's time to say goodbye as I have a major assignment due in two weeks, but I am about to leave mum and the kids behind and do a bit of contract work as a Risk Analysis for a large mining company in Western Australia.
I will fly in and out on a 24 day 12 hour shift on, and 8 days back here in the Whitsunday region.
Lekker mal hey !!
But at R19,500 a day it is surely worth it, and then the hard work with the studies is worth every minute of it!!
Groete
Nico
Whitsunday, Australia
We will run the "Vlermuis" story again soon Nico! - Ed
And this one is from Terri Chomse who lives in Nigeria
Hi there, from Lagos
Thank you so much for your "newsy", informative and fun Newsletter which I receive every month.
We are living in Lagos, Nigeria at the moment.
We are based here on contract. We moved up to Lagos in Jan 2005 with our 3 daughters aged 8, 6 and 3.
In the beginning, it was a huge challenge, but now that we "know the ropes"; it is an amazing, unpredictable and spoilt way of living. (as an ex-pat)
Our country of origin is SA ~ naturally!
We are fortunate enough to be able to return to SA 3 times a year ~ basically for the School Holidays.
Our children attend the American International School Lagos, and we look forward to the 2 month summer break in June/July.
In Jan 2006, I opened my own Company called Dream Options
(
http://spaces.msn.com/dreamoptionsthatsher
(Notice, I list Biltong Makers as one of my favourite sites to visit!!)
I have a Nigerian partner, who has her own Law Practice, both in Nigeria and the UK.
The photos on the site are from an Annual event called Small World. This is definitely the event of the year for ex-pats in Nigeria. It is a fund-raiser.
All the different Countries represented in Lagos are involved. Each country decorates a stall, serves food from their Countries, and puts on a Dance!
The Venue this year was on the rugby fields at the British International School.
Unfortunately, this year - Feb 06, the heavens opened, and the down-pour of rain, and lightning, put a stop to the Dancing show, but the SA stall was in full swing, and definitely the party of the night was had by all SA revelers! (naturally!)
The Theme for Small World was "Spice for Life", and SA served Boerewors, Bunny Chows, Samoosas, Pap, Smoor, Koeksisters, Castle Beer and Two Oceans Wine.
One of the Blogs on my site is by 2 SA Men, who also work on contract in Nigeria, but as a hobby, they make Biltong. When I do functions, I use their products.
One of the most exciting things to hit Lagos, is the opening of SA based Shoprite (Checkers) and Game. We also have Debonairs, Nando's, and there is talk of a News Café! Wow! This is such a treat!
We can now buy Mrs Balls Chutney (along with other regulated SA products), all in one shop! A Shopping Mall!!
Before that we had to smuggle!
Generally, life in Lagos can be summed up as follows:
- Traffic (go-slows) are a common occurrence i.e. huge traffic jams
- After a down-pour of rain, the pot-holes open up to gaping rivers, drainage on roads is bad, as Lagos is at sea-level
- The only comfortable mode of transport is a 4x4 vehicle(which a lot of the Companies provide)
- Petrol price is about R3.20 a litre
- The fastest and cheapest way to get around is on an "Okardo". This is a 125cc motor bike. But be warned, they are dangerous and rule the roads!
- Public Holidays are random, and announced via "Bush-telegraph" the day before the event
- Obviously, fraud is rife, but if you keep your wits, and keep informed, this can be avoided
- To avoid boredom, most weekends consist of Braai's, rugby on the box, and loads of drinking.
- Castle Beer is available (albeit illegal) at a whopping R7 a tin. And most time it is expired stock (from the Markets)
- Drinking and Eating out is VERY expensive. A bottle of Two Oceans wine in a restaurant will set you back R170. Other SA wines go for about R220 a bottle! To buy the same wine from Shoprite is R60, and R150 respectively
- Strangely enough, White wine and Red wine are priced almost the same, and at some shops the year of the wine is of no significance to the price
- A basic pizza at Debonair will set you back R75, and a mineral (in a plastic bottle) R15
- The conversion for the local currency - which is Naira, is basically 20 Naira to the ZAR. Coins are a thing of the past, and they have just issued a new N1000 note. A purse is not an option, you need to take a bag/satchel to carry monies. Cash is the only option, no-one uses credit cards.
- Most households with kids have a driver (some ex-pats are not permitted to drive in Lagos), a "nanny" who is normally Nigerian and called an "Aunty", and a house-boy or cook-boy. This surprisingly enough (or not?) is cheap - average salary for household servants is R750 a month, live-in, and they work all hours that you need - but a "dash" (tip) is expected for overtime after 8pm at night about R50! Drivers earn more, and are paid by Companies
- The last count of the population 15 years ago, was around 140 million in Nigeria.
- In March 2006, Nigeria came to a stand-still from 21 March, till 27 March. The government carried out a Census, to count the people.
- During the Census, "no-movement" was declared from 8am in the mornings, until 4 pm in the afternoons. I.e. NO work, NO school, NO shopping, NO golf!
- Due to import charges etc, most items at Game are 2 to 3 times more expensive than in SA
- Availability of products at Shoprite is affected ~ the ports just keep the containers for strange reasons
- There is a newly opened Movie complex called Silverbird Galleria, and there is a SA run Multi-media store (where you can buy a DVD movie without seeing peoples heads/shadows, and hear laughing, yup, the genuine ones. A movie costs R70, before popcorn and a drink.
- The beaches away from the Mainland are beautiful, idyllic, and Mauritius look-alikes (apart from the rubbish littered all over)
- In Lagos there are 4 main areas to live: Victoria Island, Ikoyi Island, Lekki and Ipapa. Although VI, Ikoyi and Lekki are within 10 km's of each other, on a bad day, it can take up to 2 hours to get there!! But on average, about 30 minutes. VI and Ikoyi have only ONE connecting bridge ~ hence the traffic problems
- Most ex-pats live in a "Compound" ~ basically 3 bedroom flats/duplexes in a security guarded environment. These compounds usually have their own gyms, communal swimming pools, some have Tennis courts, 10 pin bowling alleys etc.
- Rent is VERY expensive! An average 3 bedroom place costs $45 000 a year, R23 000 a month, and is payable upfront, for 2 years! ~ or no place to stay!
- Electricity supply is very poor. ALL houses and businesses have their own diesel run generators. These are used on average about 3 times a day, and some places have been known to have no electricity for weeks!
- All electronic equipment, including fridges and freezers, have UPS back-up, and currency regulators for spikes in power
- Hotel Accommodation is VERY expensive. An average night in a Hotel is about $350 = R2000 a night. The facilities are not the greatest - i.e., noisy air conditioners, (if they work), poor, lengthy service, dirty water, few have internet access. Protea have opened a new Hotel on VI - Kuramo Close, and this is good value for money! And centrally situated (link from my site shows pics and available facilities)
- There are loads of restaurants to choose from. All the different cuisines are catered for. Most places do home deliveries (take-outs)
- Shopping at the "Markets" is vibey, hot, interesting, and a must do!
I could go on forever!
It is a really interesting, expensive place to live! And I love it but know that we are only on contract, and will return to SA!
And my golf is improving!
Thanx for listening to "how we live in Lagos"
Regards,
Terri Chomse
Lagos, Nigeria
VRYSTAAAAAAAAAT!
A Free State "Boer" walks into his local bar and to his surprise finds
a little Japanese man sitting in his regular chair.
"Kleingat, you sommer sitting op my stoel" he angrily shouts.
Before he knows it the Jap is up and knocks the farmer flying.
After the farmer recovers he asks: "What the blerry hell was that?"
"Zat martial art from my country Japan" replies the Jap and strolls off in a stroppy way.
The following day the farmer finds the Jap in "His" seat again.
The farmer goes: "You is alweer sitting op my stoel" and again the Jap
knocks the farmer out with some nifty Kung Fu.
On regaining consciousness the farmer asks: "What the blerry hell was that?"
"Zat Karate from my country Japan" and as stroppy as ever ambles off.
Now the farmer is dik die moer in.........
The next day the farmer finds the Jap sitting in "His" chair again!
"So, you is alweer sitting op my stoel. Vat So" and he knocks the daylights out of the Jap with one blow.
The little Jap comes around after some time and asks the farmer what was
that?
The farmer replies: "That, my china was a bliksemse Isuzu 2.8 litre turbo diesel bakkie se wheelspanner....also from your country Japan"
Live Well - Laugh Often - Love Much
Links to the sport pages
Watson gets a slap in the face from White
Springbok coach Jake White has confirmed Luke Watson will not be in the squad for a training camp, saying the current loose-forwards in the Bok squad can do everything what the Stormers player does and more.
Full Story...
Brits a better bet than Botha
Former Western Province No 2 Andrew Paterson believes Stormers hooker Schalk Brits should be selected ahead of the Bulls' Gary Botha as the back-up to John Smit in the Springbok squad.
Full Story...
De Bruyn joins the Warriors
Former Proteas batsman Zander de Bruyn has signed a two-year contract with the Warriors.
Full Story...
Selectors get smart for World Cup
South Africa's squad for the 2007 Cricket World Cup is virtually set in stone, and the next few months will be spent carefully planning ahead of that event.
Full Story...
-Where can you watch rugby on TV?-
Click here to find out where in most countries!
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Why not write to us
We are almost halfway through the year already and have received some very nice contributions to our newsletter from all over the world!
Many people are subscribed to our newsletter and many more are joining every day. Mostly they do so because they enjoy reading it and like to hear from people in other parts of the world.
They would love to hear from you too!!
Why not put pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboard!), and tell us about anything interesting. About life in your part of the world, what you do and how you live. Perhaps something that happened to you.
You might have a nice recipe to part with or perhaps a question to ask?
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You never know how you could help somebody else with your own hints and tips.
Of course it does not have to be about Biltong or food. Anything that is of interest is welcome!
Share it with other people around the world!
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Boerewors
So far 600kg of boerewors has been made since the start of April and most of it is gone!
Our Boerewors has again proven to be as popular as last year (and all the years before)!
Especially very well received was the vacuum packing of the wors and the posting!
All our customers in Holland, Belgium and Germany raved about the packing of and the condition in which the wors arrived.
You too could have some real South African Boerewors on the braai next time!!
Just give us a call on +32 (16) 53.96.25 or email us.
Our Boerewors is vacuum packed in quantities of about 500 gram. The price is € 8.45 per kg.
top
Well, there we were, driving through howling snow storms somewhere between Brussels and Luxembourg on the way to do a Potjiekos for 80 people.
In towns such as Louis Trichardt, named after one of the 19th century voortrekkers whose 1,400-mile journey from Cape Town entered Afrikaner folklore, many Afrikaners feel their identity is under threat.
I came across a male and female lion in the Kruger Park recently - the black-maned male was very scrawny and haggard, and obviously hadn't combed his hair for weeks.
Old Biltong Recipe
The problem with making Droë Wors in enough quantities has always been the lack of a proper and large enough drying facility. We have now built a drying facility that will supply ample Droë Wors on a weekly basis. It takes at least one week to dry the normal wet sausage to the "cracking" dryness of Droe Wors.
