#hotel in potchefstroom

[a-hguesthousepotchefstroom]

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Employment Opportunities in Potchefstroom: A Thriving Job Market

Introduction:

Nestled in the heart of the North West Province, Potchefstroom is a city that combines rich historical significance with a vibrant contemporary atmosphere. As the economy continues to evolve, so does the Jobs in Potchefstroom.

Education and Research:

Potchefstroom is home to the North-West University, a leading academic institution that plays a pivotal role in shaping the city's employment landscape. The university creates job opportunities for educators, researchers, and administrative staff. Additionally, the demand for support services such as catering, security, and maintenance provides further employment prospects.

Agriculture and Agribusiness:

The surrounding fertile lands make agriculture a prominent industry in Potchefstroom. Job opportunities in this sector extend beyond farming, including agribusiness roles such as marketing, logistics, and quality control. With a focus on sustainable farming practices, Potchefstroom offers a platform for those passionate about contributing to the agricultural sector.

Healthcare Services:

The city boasts a well-developed healthcare infrastructure, with hospitals, clinics, and specialized medical facilities. As a result, healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and administrative staff, are in demand. Additionally, there is a growing need for allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists and nutritionists, contributing to a diverse range of job opportunities in the healthcare sector.

Manufacturing and Industrial Sector:

Potchefstroom's strategic location and infrastructure make it an attractive hub for manufacturing and industrial activities. Job opportunities in this sector range from skilled labor in manufacturing plants to managerial roles overseeing production processes. The city's commitment to sustainable development also promotes eco-friendly manufacturing practices, creating opportunities for those with expertise in green technologies.

Information Technology and Innovation:

As technology continues to advance, the demand for skilled professionals in information technology (IT) and innovation is on the rise. Potchefstroom, with its academic and research institutions, fosters an environment conducive to technological innovation. IT specialists, software developers, and engineers find ample opportunities to contribute to the city's technological growth.

Tourism and Hospitality:

Potchefstroom's historical sites, cultural events, and natural attractions contribute to a thriving tourism industry. Consequently, there is a continuous demand for hospitality professionals, including hotel staff, tour guides, and event planners. The city's efforts to promote tourism ensure that job opportunities in this sector remain robust.

Retail and Services:

The retail sector in Potchefstroom is dynamic, with a mix of local businesses and national chains. Job opportunities in retail extend from sales and customer service roles to managerial positions. Additionally, the service industry, including banking, insurance, and consulting services, provides diverse career options for professionals seeking a non-industry-specific path.

Conclusion:

Potchefstroom's job market is characterized by its diversity, offering opportunities across various sectors. As the city continues to grow and develop, so do the prospects for employment. Whether you are an academic, a healthcare professional, a tech enthusiast, or someone passionate about agriculture, Potchefstroom provides a dynamic environment for individuals seeking fulfilling careers. As the city evolves, so does its job market, making Potchefstroom an exciting destination for those looking to build their professional futures. Please visit here Jobs in Potchefstroom for more information.

[ebenvt]

Introduction to Bacon & the Art of Living

The quest to understand how great bacon is made takes me around the world and through epic adventures. I tell the story by changing the setting from the 2000s to the late 1800s when much of the technology behind bacon curing was unravelled. I weave into the mix beautiful stories of Cape Town and use mostly my family as the other characters besides me and Oscar and Uncle Jeppe from Denmark, a good friend and someone to whom I owe much gratitude! A man who knows bacon! Most other characters have a real basis in history and I describe actual events and personal experiences set in a different historical context.

The cast I used to mould the story into is letters I wrote home during my travels.

The Best Bacon on Earth Cape Town, October 1960

The kids visited Minette and me last December. Is it almost a year ago? Where did the time go! Politics in our beautiful country did not turn out as I would have liked, but it did happen exactly as I predicted! I see us steering the course of conflict as I saw it all these years ago while riding transport. Still, I continue to learn about life and had many years when I could put everything I learned about bacon to good use.

From Daily News New York, 7 October 1960.

The country voted for independence from Brittain! It breaks my heart because it was done for all the wrong reasons! I am in full support of independence from Brittain, but not for the reasons that the referendum was fought over.  It ended up as a fight between the white English and Afrikaans speaking people which was merely a rehash of the Anglo Boer war, contrary to the efforts of Smuts and Botha to unite the groups after the war.  Even in this, there is a lesson.  It would have been far better if the discussion included the treatment of the non-white population of the country and was focussed on doing what is right and humane.  All South Africans should have been allowed a say in their future as equals.  The end result will be untold hardship for man millions of people.

Still, there is an important lesson for me. No matter our circumstances, we can find in ourselves and in things around us reasons to be thankful. This is a tremendous human ability. Amidst the greatest injustice, we can hope! When all hope is lost, we can persevere, and we can hope, against hope! The strange thing that I learned over my life is that this kind of hope never disappoints! This too is part of the art of living!

When I left Cape Town for the first time as a young man many years ago, I set out with a single-minded objective to learn the mechanisms underlying the art of curing. We desired to create the best bacon on earth. Did I achieve this? I would like to think that for a time, just before I left Woody’s, that we did just that. We created amazing bacon. Now Koos and Duncan have the company and are facing new challenges. They went through a dip, but from what I can see on the shelves, the quality is returning to the brand. It makes me incredibly proud of what they have achieved since Oscar, Will, James, Roy, Stanford, Adriaan, myself and so many others left.

I keep on learning! That making the best bacon on earth, consistently, year in and year out is a very difficult thing and an art in itself. Many great bacon companies exist around the world. There are three examples of companies that I got to know very well who manage to achieve amazing quality bacon. Two of the companies have been doing it now for over 100 years! I salute them both by concluding the most amazing journey imaginable by focussing not on what Oscar and I manage to achieve, but on others. Others can judge our success or failure in this regard. Three companies who also learned how to make the best bacon on earth standout! The last few chapters deal with them.

Tristan and Lauren helping as often as they can.

Arriving at a hotel in Johannesburg very early one morning. A few hours sleep and then off to potential clients.

Eben and T joining Will for an abseil down one of the cliffs of Table Mountain.

Designing the first grids.

Oscar, Eben and Willem.

Testing products in townships in Cape Town.

Dr. Albert Szent-Györgyi

Frozen-bacon. A dismal failure.

David Donde, Truth Coffee Roaster, Sept 2015

Anton van Rooyen at a meeting in Potchefstroom.

(c) eben van tonder

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  Chapter 12.00: The Best Bacon on Earth Introduction to Bacon & the Art of Living The quest to understand how great bacon is made takes me around the world and through epic adventures.

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DaMajority Fresh Article https://www.damajority.com/calvary-baptist-church-gros-islet-celebrates-50th-anniversary/

Calvary Baptist Church, Gros Islet, celebrates 50th Anniversary | Saint Lucia

Calvary Baptist Church, Gros Islet, celebrates 50th Anniversary

  The Calvary Baptist Church at Massade, Gros Islet, celebrates its 50th anniversary with a number of events that begin on Friday 8th February. The theme chosen for this milestone is “Keeping the faith.”

The guest speaker for the anniversary services is Dr. Glendon Thompson.

Dr. Thompson serves as senior pastor of Jarvis Street Baptist Church, Toronto, Canada, president of Toronto Baptist Seminary, professor of Biblical Studies, and editor of the Gospel Witness. He was born in Jamaica and studied education at Church Teachers’ College, Mandeville. He completed a Ph.D. in theology and postmodern philosophy at the University of Potchefstroom. He has also pursued post-doctoral studies at the University of Oxford, England. Dr. Thompson has authored numerous theological articles and spoken at conferences in Canada, Africa, India, the USA, and the Caribbean.

The church was established at Massade in 1969 though the work of church-planting had begun some years earlier. It was first situated on Notre Dame Street. As the work progressed, a group of three women missionaries, Marjorie Mitchell, Audrey Finkbeiner, and Iris Castle, came to the island in 1953. They laboured faithfully to keep the work going by conducting Vacation Bible School, Bible Club and other activities. Eventually, in 1955, the small church was established as Calvary Baptist Church, with six (6) charter members.

In 1969, a parcel of land at Massade was purchased and a church built to accommodate about sixty (60) persons. The church building was dedicated in 1970 with approximately twenty (20) members. A transportation ministry serving the nearby communities helped the church to grow and believers took encouragement as the prospects got brighter. Five years later the church called Pastor Hilcious Hippolyte as its first Pastor. Four years later Pastor Hippolyte resigned and Pastor Cyril Hilton was called. He served for twelve (12) years. From 1997, the Calvary Baptist Church has been administered by Elders who pastor the church together. The present Elders are Joseph Charles, John Robert Lee and Lincoln Auguste.

While the work was started in 1955 as Calvary Baptist Church, the church uses 1969 when it moved to its present site at Massade, as its official anniversary date.

Many of its members come from outside of Gros Islet. The congregation includes many young persons who have grown up in the church and many who have joined as young adults. Many of these young persons play leading roles in the work and services of the church.

The church was destroyed by Hurricane Allen in 1980 but was rebuilt with the help of a Canadian church.

The 50th Anniversary celebrations begin with a youth rally on Friday February 8th. The main services start on Sunday 10th from 10 am with an afternoon service at 3 pm. From Monday to Wednesday, at 7 pm, preaching services will be held. On Friday 15th a special Awards service and dinner will take place at the Bay Gardens hotel where pioneer founders of the church will be recognized and honored.

The public is invited to join the church for its celebratory services at Massade from Friday 8th to Wednesday 13th.

[artsvark]

Calling all actors, singers, dancers and models

International Talent Agency Seeking Talent – International ARTS Talent Showcase auditions are underway.

International ARTS Talent Showcase auditions

Every year the International ARTS Talent Showcase (IATS) helps local entertainers in various faculties (singing, dancing, acting and modelling) realise their dreams. It gives youngsters a platform to showcase their talent locally, as well as the opportunity to travel abroad and the chance at international education.

This is not a competition. It’s a platform – its primary focus is on arts education – which allows longevity in the marketplace.

KZN auditions: Date: 3 February 2018 Venue: The Playhouse, Durban

Richardsbay auditions: Date: 4 February 2018 Venue: The Richards Hotel

Cape Town auditions: Date: 3 March 2018 Date: 30 June 2018 Venue: The Hyde Hotel

Johannesburg auditions: Date: 21 April 2018 Date: 7 July 2018 Date: 25 August 2018 Venue: Just You Offices, Rivonia

Kimberley auditions: Date: 26 April 2018 Venue: Protea Hotel

Potchefstroom auditions: Date: 5 May 2018 Venue: TBC

East London auditions: Date: 19 May 2018 Venue: Grens Hoerskool

Port Elizabeth auditions: Date: 20 May 2018 Venue: The Opera House – The Barn (TBC)

Pretoria auditions: Date: 9 June 2018 Venue: Hoerskool Eldorainge

The Applause Rising Talent Showcase (ARTS) is a family-owned and operated organisation, founded by international talent scout Kim Meyers. IATS is the South African leg of the ARTS, held annually in Orlando, Florida. It is run by Elsubie Verlinden, founder of Just You Model and Artist Management.

In her capacity as Regional Director for ARTS in Africa, Verlinden has provided countless young South Africans exposure to top educational outlets in the USA.

Additionally, Just You Model and Artist Management will open their international offices on 1 February 2018 in New York City, once again providing locals the opportunity to secure international contracts.

Growing up, Verlinden was stunned by the lack of international opportunities for people seeking a career in the arts. So, she took matters into her own hands and teamed up with Kim Meyers to bring the showcase to the African continent. Each year the Showcase has grown to offer bigger and better opportunities. Last year afforded participants the opportunity to audition in front of international talent scout Rhavynn Drummer.

Worry not, with the new year, comes new opportunities and your chance is NOW! Verlinden will once again be travelling from city to city throughout South Africa to scout the best talent the country has to offer to attend the International ARTS Talent Showcase.

Auditions are currently underway, and Just You will be visiting your city soon. Check out the dates and times below and remember… international is not impossible!

To enter contact Director of Admissions Elouise Janse van Rensburg on 011 039 2481 or e-mail itsartsafrica@gmail.com.

  Calling all actors, singers, dancers and models was originally published on Artsvark

[jobs-in-south-africa]

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[bestnewsmag-blog]

New Post has been published on Bestnewsmag

New Post has been published on https://bestnewsmag.com/mosul-offensive-gains-fresh-momentum-as-army-attacks-is-from-northwest/

Mosul offensive gains fresh momentum as army attacks IS from northwest

northwest OF MOSUL, Iraq/BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The U.S.-backed Iraqi offensive to take back Mosul from Islamic State gained fresh momentum on Thursday, with an armored division trying to advance into the city from the northern side army 

The militants are now besieged in the northwestern corner of Mosul which includes the historic Old City center and the medieval Grand al-Nuri Mosque and its landmark leaning minaret where their black flag has been flying since June 2014.

The Iraqi army’s 9th Armoured Division and the Rapid Response units of the Interior Ministry have opened a new front in the northwest of the city, according to an Iraqi military statement.

The attack will help the elite Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) and Interior Ministry Federal Police troops who are painstakingly advancing from the south.

“Our forces are making a steady advance in the first hours of the offensive and Daesh fighters are breaking and retreating,” Brigadier General Yahya Rasool, a spokesman for the joint operations command, told state television

A U.S.-led international coalition is providing key air and ground support to the offensive on Mosul, Islamic State’s de facto capital in Iraq, which started in October.

It was from the pulpit of the Grand al-Nuri Mosque that Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi revealed himself to the world in July 2014, declaring a “caliphate” that spanned parts of Syria and persecuted non-Sunni communities as well as Sunnis who did not abide by its extreme interpretation of Islam.

“An armored division should not be going into narrow alleyways and streets but we will,” Lieutenant General Qassem al-Maliki, commander of the 9th Armoured Division told Reuters.

South African Travel Tips When Visiting The North West Province

  The North West Province is a diverse mix of wildlife reserves, cultural and heritage sites, archaeological treasures and entertainment resorts, such as the world-renowned pleasure spots of Sun City, its Lost City, and Valley of the Waves, make this province attractive to the local and international tourist.

However, even though the combination of five-star casino resorts and the bush experience, as provided by the Pilanesberg National Park, is a winner, the province’s other attractions are culturally rich and of great importance. Sites and routes such as the Taung Archaeological site, where it was believed Darwin’s missing link was found, and the Crocodile River Ramble, exploring local arts and crafts along the way, are noteworthy.

Sport and outdoor enthusiasts will feel at home in these natural surroundings that cater for activities ranging from water-skiing to mountain-climbing, with the town of Mafikeng well-known for providing some of the best gliding conditions in the world.

CLIMATE:

The North West Province experiences warm to hot summers and cold to very cold winters. This province offers almost year-round sunshine meaning visitors will spend very few days indoors. The province enjoys a summer rainfall, which normally sees thunderstorms occurring in the late afternoon. Rain falls mainly between December and March, however, the more west one travels the drier it becomes.

SHOPPING:

Shopping malls, antique shops, craft markets, art galleries as well as roadside vendors and stalls are plentiful throughout the province. Not-to-be-missed is the enjoyable Crocodile River Ramble shopping route. Good buys include fruit, biltong, home-made jams and preserves, mampoer (locally distilled liquor), local arts and crafts, ethnic clothing and fabrics.

TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS:

Sun City:

The complex boasts two world-famous golf courses, which annually host the Nedbank 2-million golf challenge, one of the richest invitational tournaments in the world. There is a full casino at the resort, revue theaters and restaurants for every taste. The Valley of the Waves is an inland sea enjoyed by all water and beach enthusiasts. Different tours can be taken including visits to the new cultural village and the botanical gardens.

Pilanesberg National Park:

Known as “Jewel of the North West” This unusual reserve, the fourth largest in South Africa, is set high in the Pilanesberg range and traverses the floor of a long-extinct volcano. The reserve is home to all the main African game species including The Big Five. For the more adventurous, hot-air balloon safaris can be arranged.

Mafikeng:

“The place of boulders”, Mafikeng offers numerous sporting facilities including two golf courses. There is a major conference center, complemented by two excellent hotels and a casino. The town hosted the 2001 International Gliding Championships from its modern airport. Gliding conditions around Mafikeng are regarded as among the best in the world. A short distance from the town is the Mafikeng Game Reserve, well known as a breeding center for rhino and other plains species.

Taung Archaeological Site:

“The place of the lion”, this is the location of the world-famous Taung archaeological site at the Buxton limestone quarry where, in 1924 the lime-encrusted skull of a child was discovered and later named Australopithecus africanus by the scientist, Dr. Raymond Dart. The prehistoric skull – half man, half ape, is said to have provided the missing link in Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve:

Ideal stopover to enjoy a drive through Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve which has a variety of small and large antelope species and 256 bird species, with the option of staying over to take in some angling for carp and barbel on either the Bloemhof Dam or the Vaal River. Bloemhof Dam caters for water sports enthusiasts and is one of the prime angling destinations in South Africa hosting a number of major local and international angling competitions.

Potchefstroom:

The oldest town in South Africa, Potchefstroom was also the republic’s first capital. Attractions include the Potchefstroom Museum (in the house of the first president), The Old Fort and Museum, Totius House Museum, Andrew Carnegie Library and City Hall, Goetz Fleischack Museum, North West Command and Oak Avenue.

Rustenburg:

The platinum mining town of Rustenburg where huge deposits of this valuable mineral are mined. Rustenburg has its own Nature Reserve, which protects a large herd of the rare sable antelope. Visitors are allowed to hike in the park.

Hartbeespoort Dam:

The Hartbeespoort Dam nestles in the shadow of the Magaliesberg and is popular for fishing, boating, water-skiing and yachting. There are a mine, zoo and a couple of small holiday villages, including the attractive cosmos flowers around the dam.

Magaliesberg:

For local arts and crafts, a driving route which begins in Johannesburg and extends to the Magaliesberg area takes in the homes or shops of a host of artists, potters, and craftspeople, known as the Crocodile River Ramble. There are a number of pleasant accommodation options and camping spots in the Magaliesberg area.

Mampoer Route:

Well known for the quality of its mampoer, a powerful homebrew made from fruit such as peaches and apricots. The Mampoer Route is about 60km long and introduces visitors to the secrets of the distilling process and also includes a visit to a trout breeding farm and a game farm.

Gerald Crawford was born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and African travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa

Army Interview Questions And Answers

During the Army selection process you will be required to sit a number of interviews both at the AFCO and at the ADSC. The information that I have provided within this article will assist you greatly during your preparation for both sets of interviews.

The Army will use a set marking sheet for your interviews and the questions will be based on a number of specific criteria. The questions will vary from interview to interview but the core elements are designed to assess whether you are suitable to join the service. The following is a list of areas you may be asked questions on during your Army interview and I would recommend that you use these as a basis for your preparation:

– The reasons why you want to join the Army.

– The reasons why you have chosen your particular job, trade, and Regiment.

– What information you already know about the Army, your chosen Regiment and the lifestyle and training.

– Information bout your hobbies and interests including sporting activities.

– Any personal responsibilities that you currently have at home, at shool or at work.

– Information about your family and what they think about you joining the Army. Do they support you?

– Information based on your initial application form.

– Your experience of work and education and whether or not you have had any responsibility at home or work.

– Your emotional stability and your maturity.

– Your drive and determination to succeed.

– Any experience you have of working as part of a team.

– Your attitude towards physical exercise and team sports.

– Having a positive reaction to the disciplined environment.

– Your knowledge of life within the Army.

I have now provided you with a sample interview question and response. This will act as a good basis for your preparation. However, it is important to point out at this stage the responses you provide during the interview should be based solely on your own experiences and opinions.

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTION NUMBER 1 Why do you want to join the Army?

This is an almost guaranteed question during your Army interview so there should be no reason why you can’t answer it in a positive manner. Try to display motivation when answering questions of this nature. The Army are looking for people who want to become a professional member of their team and who understand the Army way of life. By studying your Army recruitment literature and the Army website you will understand what service life is all about. You want to be a member of the British Army and you are attracted to what it has to offer. If you have been pushed into joining by your family then you shouldn’t be applying.

SAMPLE RESPONSE TO QUESTION NUMBER 1 Why do you want to join the Army?

“I have wanted to join the Army for a number of years now and feel that I have now reached a part of my life where I am ready to commit to the service. Having studied the Army recruitment literature and visited the Army website, I am impressed by the professionalism and standards the service sets itself.

I would like a career that is fulfilling, challenging and rewarding and I believe that the Army would provide all of these. I enjoy keeping physically fit and active and believe that given the right training I would make a great team member. I am also very much attracted to the fact that the Army offers a wide choice of careers.

[khanya2k-blog]

Relax (at Elgro Hotel Potchefstroom)

[ebenvt]

Introduction to Bacon & the Art of Living

The quest to understand how great bacon is made takes me around the world and through epic adventures. I tell the story by changing the setting from the 2000s to the late 1800s when much of the technology behind bacon curing was unraveled. I weave into the mix beautiful stories of Cape Town and use mostly my family as the other characters besides me and Oscar and Uncle Jeppe from Denmark, a good friend and someone to whom I owe much gratitude! A man who knows bacon! Most other characters have a real basis in history and I describe actual events and personal experiences set in a different historical context.

The cast I use to mould the story into is letters I wrote home during my travels.

Woodys Bacon

South Africa, August 1890

Upon my return from Johannesburg, I stopped over at Oscar’s farm. It is a well-run business. Every month he receives newsletters from the Cape and Holland about farming and he studies them in detail to learn about farming in the modern way.

Oscar’s father, Uncle James Klynveld, is a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church. His, like Oom Jan, Oom Giel and Oom Sybrand is a more sensible faith compared to many in the Transvaal Republic at this time. He sees all humans as equal before God, irrespective of language and skin colour. This was a view not widely held in the Transvaal. Even in England, there were those who questioned the equality of all races with a debate if black people have souls. Oscar and I shared his view and agreeing on such matters are important when starting a business together.

We also shared the view that England, the two Boer republics, the native tribes, the freed slaves and their descendants, how these groups treated and mistreated each other over the years and acted shamefully in taking what is not theirs and killing and enslaving one another; that, together with the influx of immigrants into the Transvaal in search of gold and the ambition of men like Rhodes – that all these ingredients cannot spell anything but war. Nation against nation and territory against the territory. We see the clouds of war gathering in almost every newspaper we pick up and conversations we have with other people. War is inevitable and we want to plot the most sensible road ahead for our young families.

We believe our future is, not connected to the land, as many of our fellow Boers do but connected to free enterprise. Farming, in Oscar’s mind, is not a God-given right to the Boer nation, but a business that has to make a profit. Security is not vested inland, but a positive bottom line. The idea of a bacon company appeals to us.  We have aspirations to supply every possible market across the land. The two Boer republics, the colonies in the Cape, Natal, passing ships and the British Navy and army and export our finest bacon to the old world of Europe and England.

This is then how it came about that on one winter morning in August 1890, we had a formal meeting to establish a bacon curing company in Potchefstroom. (1) Potchefstroom was the former capital of the Transvaal, before the seat of government was moved to Pretoria. Like all Boer towns, it has big gardens surrounding large houses and trees lining the streets. It appears like an oasis on the road from Kimberly which is a monotonous part of the route traveling from Cape Town, through Kimberly to Johannesburg.

We met in Oscar’s voorkamer (living room). It was a bitterly cold night. A hand full of burgers came. Oscar’s wife, Trudie, expecting their 3rd daughter was there. James and Willem, Oscar’s two brothers and Anton, Oscar’s father-in-law. Some of the Boers came out of curiosity but a few other successful farmers were there, looking for an opportunity to invest in the venture. Oupa Eben Kok and his wife Susan were there. My dad and my brother, Elmar, came through for the occasion, taking the train to Bloemfontein and hiring a coach to Potchefstroom.

Oscar’s dad opened the meeting with scripture reading and prayer. His text was Ecclesiastes 9:11. “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” (2) He is a man of wisdom and used the words of another wise man, Solomon, to set the course for the adventure ahead. “In the end,” he said, “it will not be our speed, strength, wisdom, understanding, skill or even the riches from investors that will give us success, as important as all these are. Without being at the right place, at the right time, nothing will come to fruition. Commit to the dream and exploit every opportunity with a bounty of enthusiasm and the dream will be turned into a reality.” With these words and in prayer, he commended our venture into the hands of the Almighty God.

After Uncle James’ words, it was my turn. I presented the outline of the plan and in the middle of my speech, Oscar jumped in when he saw I was using too many words and he summarized the plan nicely. Looking at the faces in the crowd, I could see that our words found favour among the listeners.

Despite much talk and plenty of enthusiasm, being thoroughly convinced that our plan will find widespread appeal, nobody was prepared to join our venture or invest in the business, except a young mining engineer from Kimberly, Dawie Hyman who made a small investment with me personally on account of our long-standing friendship and Anton, Trudie’s father and Oscar’s father-in-law. Initially, it would be up to Oscar and myself to prove that a quality curing operation is possible in our land.

My dad insisted that the standard we aim for in bacon production is nothing less than the legendary Wiltshire Bacon from C&T Harris in England and the bacon we cured on the farm. His reasoning was that even though he believed his own bacon recipe to be the best in the world, the Europeans and English figured out a way to do it faster at constantly good quality. It was one thing to produce one batch of good bacon per year from one pig, but doing it day in and day out, year in and year out was a completely different question. It was a widely held belief around the world that the Harris operation in Wiltshire produces the finest bacon on earth.

Everybody agreed to this, but it presented a problem, far more daunting than our lack of capital. Nobody knew how to cure Wiltshire style bacon. It was decided that since my kids were a bit older than Oscar’s, I had to travel to Europe and England and learn the art of curing large quantities of good bacon! Oscar would stay behind, muster the support and prepare our factory.

We decided not to go to England straight away despite the fact that the Harris family’s factory is there. On the one hand, there was the fear that war could break out any day and this would jeopardize our quest. On the other hand, since my ancestors came to the Cape of Good Hope from Denmark and since an old spice trader advised us to visit Copenhagen first, the decision was made to start there.

Oscar and I met up in Johannesburg a few weeks prior to plan the founding meeting on his farm. The city, only two and a half years or three years old by 1890 was already an impressive place. The streets were broad with buildings on either side, built in a style and an architecture that rivals those of the biggest cities in England. (3)

The main business street is Commissioner street. Off it is the new club, the Bank of Africa, the new Exchange buildings, two large hotels, and several two stories buildings, set up with the sole purpose of conducting business and spanning entire blocks with offices for hundreds of brokers and speculators. There is a hustle and bustle about the city as bricklayers are furiously at work, filling every available space with new buildings. (3)

There are several open spaces provided in the city to act as recreation areas and market squares. In the middle of the city is the principal, large market square.

This square is my final destination when I travel to Johannesburg. The square is filled each morning with ox wagons loaded with produce from the Transvaal, the Cape Colony, Natal, and the Free State, sold to the highest bidder. In the center of the square is a large brick building, 100 feet wide and 200 feet long, the market house proper. It is surrounded completely by coffee stalls. (3)

We met in the stately Mounts Bay Hotel in Pritchard Street. (4) At the hotel’s bar, time and chance overtook ability, as Solomon would have it, and we met an old spice trader from Copenhagen. He drank a copious amount of beer, even at midday, while always smoking his pipe.

Two particular aspects of the meeting were very fortuitous. Firstly, he had an intimate knowledge of the spice industry and could tell us exactly where we can get the best curing salt for meat. Secondly, it turned out that he knew just the man who could teach us how to make good bacon on a very large scale. He was very insistent that if we were serious about learning this art, we should travel to Denmark first where he would introduce us to a young friend of his who did an apprenticeship in meat curing and cutting. (5)

At the time I could not understand why we would learn the art of Wiltshire bacon curing, from a man in Denmark. Was it even the same process? How did the Danes do it? That night in the Mount Bay Hotel on Prichard street I had too much good local witblits with Oscar and the trader from Denmark to be overly concerned with this question. This is how it came about that Oscar and I made the plan of inviting friends and family to a meeting at his farm where we would establish our bacon curing company. We were resolved to give practical manifestation to our vision without any delay.

Soon I was back in Cape Town, wrapping up my business and preparing for the trip to Denmark. I met Uncle Jakobus at his Papendorp home with David de Villiers Graaff. The plan excited David. (6) I was reluctant to ask either him or Uncle Jakobus to invest in our venture. They would be our biggest client in the Cape and I did not want to compromise future price negotiations by having one of our main clients as an investor. Oscar was concerned about how such a move would be viewed by other potential clients who are opposed to Combrinck & Co. So, I omitted the possibility of investing in our venture from our final moments together, being content to greet my old friends and share good Cape wine together. In later years I looked back with great fondness at this meeting. It was the last time I would see Uncle Jacobus.

David, on the other hand, I continued to see over the years, and our friendship grew even stronger. The next time would be in Copenhagen. That same month, on 14 August 1890, David was elected as mayor of Cape Town at the young age of 31.

John Woodhead, a much older friend from our mountain climbing circle of friends, owned a leather tanning business (7) in town. He was the current mayor of Cape Town. He and David also knew each other well. He bought almost all the hides from Combrinck & Co.. The young David grew up in front of him and after John’s second term in office as major (1886 and 1888), he proposed the young David as Major. (The Sheffield Daily Telegraph and Dommisse, page 43 -51)

John knew Table Mountain and having spent lots of time there on account of large civil projects which he initiated. There is the impressive Woodhead Reservoir and the Woodhead Tunnel. John who grew up in England came from a family of big civils people. There, one of his family members built the Woodhead Pass crossing the Pennine chain of hills.

I said farewell to my hiking buddies by trecking up Table Mountain with them one last time before I depart. The grout that came up was Achmat, Taahir, Mike, Uncle John, Minette and I. We went up with Platteklip Gorge, past the slave caves (8), down with Grott Ravine, across to Fountain Ravine where we scrambled to Penny’s Cave (9). This mysterious and secluded cave overlooks the Atlantic.   We spent the night here.

We laughed and told stories till long after midnight. We dreamed about the mountains that I would climb in Europe and celebrated our great friendship. I was, in particular, sad to say good buy to Minette.

A year earlier Julie and I decided to end our relationship, opting to rather stay the best of friends than living together as husband and wife. We married when we were children and as we grew up, realised that we are growing apart with vastly different views of life. This became a matter of bitter resentment from my larger family, but it was the right thing to do. It saddened my dad especially, but over the weeks and months and years, as he could see how we each individually were happier with our new circumstances, I think he made peace with it. Julie and I lived in very close proximity to each other on the slopes of Table Mountain and bringing kids up in two homes that close was a convenient arrangement for both of us in light of my many travels. It continued to baffle the Cape Town community, but we did not care for their opinions on the matter.

In the years following this, I became better friends than ever before with Minette who was now working for the Bank of the Netherlands in Cape Town. I started spending a lot of time with her seeking advice on financing our bacon company and we hiked up Table Mountain almost every weekend when I was home. I grew very fond of her and suddenly, sitting in Penny’s cave, watching the majestic sunset over the western ocean, I realised how much I would miss her.

Church Square, Pretoria, 1930. Courtesy of Nico Moolman

The Nederlandsche Bank en Credietvereeniging voor Zuid-Afrika was founded on Thursday, 1 March 1888 in Amsterdam as the Nederlandsche Bank en Credietvereeniging voor Zuid-Afrika (“Dutch Bank and Credit Union for South Africa”). The bank opened its first offices in Church Street in Pretoria on 1 August (12) and Minette worked for their branch in Stellenbosch.

I spend a few days with my Mom and Dad, helping around the house and riding to work with Dad in the mornings. He encouraged me to seek the best artisan and to be trained by him. He told me that he wished he was young again and could embark on such an adventure with me.

Almost every moment of my last days at home I spent with the kids. Tristan and Lauren are the light of my life and the only thing that made it possible to leave them was the knowledge that what I learn would enable our new company to prosper so that we could provide for our families.

One spring morning, late in 1890, I was on the deck of a Danish vessel, en route for Copenhagen. I waved goodbye to everybody who came to the harbour to see me off. My gran, Ouma Susan, my mom and dad, my Uncle Jan Kok and his family, David de Villiers Graaff, the kids, my hiking friends, and Minette. My brothers, Andre and Elmar were there. Oscar and Trudie came down from Potchefstroom to see me off and Oscar’s father in law, Anton. Dawie Hyman came down from Kimberley.

As the ship set sail and the crew was scrambling about, as Table Mountain and the view of my friends and family faded, my mind wandered back to Oscar’s voorkamer and the founding meeting of our company. The Harris family smoked their bacon if it was destined for one of the colonies on account of the added preserving power given by the smoke. (10) Since the clients would expect the same smokey flavour, we knew that our bacon would be wood smoked also. One of the Boer ladies who attended, a prolific artist, saw the connection of bacon, natural wood smoking and suggested the name Woody’s. (11) Oscar and I loved it and the name was adopted for our company.

With a sudden cold sea breeze in my face and open sea ahead, with the greatest sense of excitement and expectation, I softly whispered to myself, “and so starts the adventure of Woody’s Bacon!!”

(c) eben van tonder

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Notes:

(1) Eben created the Woodys bacon brand in August 2007. Oscar, who had a distributions business in Potchefstroom, Transwest Distributors, joined forces with Eben in December of that year and in January 2008 they created Woody’s Consumer Brands (Pty) Ltd. together with Anton. They initially outsourced their manufacturing.

They started to prepare for their own factory in 2011. It was the culmination of a process that started on a flight between Johannesburg and Cape Town in January 2011 where Oscar and Eben decided to re-think the entire Woodys strategy and gear themselves for a much bigger company. Oscar and Eben has been joined by Willem on the Woodys Executive by this time. The first step of the plan was a transition from contract packers to an own factory.

(2) Quote from the KJV, would have been from the Dutch Statevertaling, the standard bible text used in 1890 among the Boers. In actuality, the text and its interpretation was suggested many years earlier to Eben by his friend Dawie Hyman who, apart from a qualified engineer, is also a graduate from the Masters Seminary and who was a pastor in Johannesburg before returning to the USA. It became one of Eben’s favourite Bible texts.

(3) Description of Johannesburg and the journey from Kimberley from The Burlington Free Press (Burlington, Vermont), 14 Feb 1890, page 7, Scenes in South Africa

(4) The Mounts Bay Hotel was built in 1889 in Pritchard Street and survived until 1909.

After Woody’s Consumer Brands was created, the first meeting was held at the Palazzo Hotel, at Montecasino, Johannesburg at the end of Jan 2011. It was attended by Eben and Oscar as well as Dawie Hyman who initially was part of the company and an investor who supported Eben while establishing the brand and a lifelong friend of Eben’s, Elmar, Eben’s brother who was initially involved in a scheme to procure pigs from small farmers in the Southern Cape and Sophia Krone, an old school friend if Eben, turned top-notch corporate consultant and executive coached who lead the inaugural meeting and who was very involved early on in direction and goal setting of the company. She did not like the out-sourced manufacturing model, predicting that the company would struggle until it had its own manufacturing plant.

(5) In 2011, Oscar and Eben met with the Danish owner of a spice company in Johannesburg. This paved the way for a visit to Denmark where they would start learning the art of bacon and be introduced to the spice industry by a skilled young man from Denmark who is both an expert in spices and a who did a deboning apprenticeship.

(6) In the 1890s, David visited Europe and the United States to investigate the use of refrigeration in meatpacking plants. In Chicago, he visited the Armour Meat Packing plant. In January 1890, back in South Africa, he exchanged letters with Pulsometer Engineering Company about the latest refrigeration technology. Soon afterward, refrigeration chambers were installed at Combrinck & Co. (Dommisse, page 31 – 33)

(7) J. Woodheads & Sons, a leather tannery business, was established by John Woodhead in 1867. The company exists to this day, still located in Cape Town, making it one of the oldest companies in South Africa.

(8) These are two shallow caves up Platteklip Gorge that were inhabited by runaway slaves. The caves are situated right next to the old footpath up the gorge just before one enters between two large vertical cliffs. This was still the route up by the late 1800’s and would have been the route that Eben, Minette, Achmat and Taahir took if they did the hike in 1890.

(9) Joshua Penny was an American, impressed into the British Navy, who visited the Cape, where he took part in the Battle of Muizenberg in 1795. He deserted and spent fourteen months in hiding on Table Mountain.

Jim Searle led an expedition of mountaineers in 1892 and 1894 to what is believed to be the main cave where Joshua Penny stayed (where he stayed the longest). The, very difficult to find and access, the cave is located on Fountain Ravine, Table Mountain and it overlooks the Atlantic, just as Penny described. The main clues of Penny’s use of this cave are items found in the cave that dates back to the time of Penny’s habitation and correlates to descriptions given by him about items of clothing and a knife he had with him. These items are beautifully displayed at the Cape Town offices of the Mountain Club of South Africa, courtesy of Mike Scott. Looking at all the evidence carefully, it is probable that the cave, identified as Panny’s Cave by the Mountain Club of South Africa, is indeed the right cave.

On 13 June 2019, Eben, Tristan, and Mike Wakeford hiked to Penny’s cave.  To do so was a lifelong dream of Eben.  Years earlier he mentioned this desire to Mike, a friend, and professional mountain guide.  Mike has himself spent years investigating various access routes to the very secluded cave.

Eben flew back to Cape Town from Johannesburg where he was working at Van Wyngaardt on 12 June.  On the morning of the 13th, on Minette’s birthday, the three set out to the cave.  After their hike, Eben posted the following on FB.

“Around 10 years ago a relationship started with the story of Joshua Penny, the American who was pressed into service by the British, partook in the Battle of Muizenberg in 1795, deserted, learned bushcraft from the Khoi and who lived for a considerable time on Table Mountain. He escaped to Table Mountain in 1799 after he was arrested and faked injury. He lived in caves in Table Mountain, making traditional Khoi dishes and brewed beer from honey and smoking his pipe.

A member of the mountain club of SA located the cave. Jim Searle led an expedition of mountaineers in 1892 and 1894 to what is believed to be the main cave where Joshua Penny stayed. Articles were recovered that fit the description by Penny of what he took with him. It became known as Penny’s cave. He lived in many caves on the mountain but was this one of them and his last one where he left his few possessions? I was skeptical about this being one of his caves because a piece of wood that Penny used to cut small notches in to keep time was presumably found, and lost in the way down. Having been to the cave I am, however, convinced it was his caves. Its location is obscure enough and fits his way that he hunted animals by chasing them over cliffs. He may have discovered it while doing just this. It is secluded enough and difficult to get to which fits the choice a man in hiding.

It was an ordeal for young Penny. When he eventually went down after, think it was 2 years, the Danish Captain that he met on the Muizenberg side did not recognise him as human. He was probably wearing animal skins and his condition must have been very bad.

The location of the cave is not widely publicised and it is extremely difficult and treacherous to get to. Mike Wakeford spent years looking for ways to get to the cave. This morning T and I fulfilled a life long ambition to hike to it when Mike took us on the adventure of a lifetime. Minette, Luani, and Luan celebrate their B Day today and we gave Minette a present of getting a route that she and her sister will be able to use to get to his cave.

Here is the clip of our arrival at the cave this afternoon.

So many years of planning and research. Mikes amazing efforts of exploring all possible routes. Tristan, wow, joining us on an epic epic epic epic adventure. Everything on the origin of meat dished being inspired by Joshua’s story. Minette, our motivation to search for an accessible route. I am speechless tonight!!! Wow!! Wow!! Wow!!! Life is beautiful!!!!”

Here we arrive at the cave.

Here are the first glimpses of the cave.

Inside Pennys Cave.

(10) This is true as a historical fact. Bacon, in those days, sent to the colonies, was not only cured but smoked also. Coating the bacon with smoke gave it added antimicrobial protection on the long journey. In England, cured, unsmoked bacon is sold as a product option to this day while in the previous colonies, the bacon is usually cured and smoked.

(11) The name was suggested by Carina Lochner from Somerset West who also designed to Woodys logo as well as the Woody’s packaging for the first few years. The name originates from the fact that Woody’s is produced using natural wood smoke.

(12) “In 1903 the company was renamed to Nederlandsche Bank voor Zuid-Afrika (“Dutch Bank for South Africa”). In 1906, the bank expanded and an office in London was opened. The bank split in 1951, renaming its South African part as Nederlandse Bank in Suid-Afrika Beperk/Netherlands Bank of South Africa Limited (“NBSA”). In 1969, the number of South African shareholders increased significantly and the company became 100% South African-owned after the Bank Mees en Hope sold 20 percent of its shares. The South African part was completely independent. The Dutch part of the bank no longer exists. Syfrets SA and Boland Bank listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1969. In 1971 NBSA changed its name to Nedbank. Nedbank Group formed from the merger of Syfrets SA, Union Acceptances and Nedbank in 1973. In 1986 Old Mutual Limited became the major shareholder (53%) of Nedbank.

In 1992, Syfrets, UAL Merchant Bank, and Nedbank Investment Bank Division merged to become Nedcor Investment Bank (NIB). Old Mutual, Nedcor’s holding company, was demutualised and listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1999. It became a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. Nedcor and Old Mutual joined forces in an offshore private banking venture and acquired the Isle of Man and Jersey private banking business of Robert Fleming & Co. in 2001.

The new Nedcor Group was formed on 1 January 2003, combining Nedcor, BoE, Nedcor Investment Bank, and Cape of Good Hope Bank into one legal entity. The Nedcor Group was renamed the Nedbank Group on 6 May 2005. As part of the managed separation, on 15 October 2018, Old Mutual reduced its shareholding in Nedbank Group to 19,9%.” (Didi Basson, https://www.facebook.com/groups/TodayinSouthAfricanHistory/)

References:

Dommisse, E. Sir David de Villiers Graaff, First Baronet of De Grendel. 2011. Tafelberg.

Heinrich, Adam R. 2010. A zooarcheaelogical investigation into the meat industry established at the Cape of Good Hope by the Dutch East Indian Company in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, The State University of New Jersey.

Linder, Adolphe. 1997. The Swiss at the Cape of Good Hope. Creda Press (Pty) Ltd

The Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Wednesday, 20 April 1898, Obituary

Simons, Phillida Brooke. 2000. Ice Cold In Africa. Fernwood Press

Photo Credits:

New York Tribune, Sunday, 18 March 1900, Page 23, The War in South Africa

Chapter 07: Woodys Bacon The quest to understand how great bacon is made takes me around the world and through epic adventures. Introduction to Bacon & the Art of Living The quest to understand how great bacon is made takes me around the world and through epic adventures.

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