A different planet
ARE we all living on the same planet? Our government is signing procurement protocols left
right and centre to get the best deal possible spending $50 billion or so on a future nuclear
energy programme.
It's talking about spending gazillions on an oil and gas offshore drilling programme, though
no credible experts seem to have suggested there actually is any viable oil or gas offshore.
In the meantime we'll make do with good old-fashioned electricity from coal generation,
though this time on a truly massive scale.
Greenhouse gases and other pollution seem built into whatever is decided. Not to mention
crayfish that glow in the dark.
Yet here we have a suggestion that by 2018, as reported by the BBC, solar energy could
be imported from Tunisia to the United Kingdom, powering as many as 2.5 million British
homes.
A private company has already spent €10 million (R140m) on a plant in Tunisia where a
giant panel focuses the sun's rays on a central tower. Tunisian sunshine becomes British
electricity, by cable.
Do we have sunshine here in South Africa? Why, yes. Not so much in places like Durban,
it's true, but in places like the Karoo and the Northern Cape I bet it's just as sunny as
Tunisia.
An outlay of €10m compares with $50 billion – R140m against R550 bn.
No, we can't be on the same planet.
Folk tales
MERRIMENT again broke out on the Berea this week as the arts soiree at St Clement's briefly
interrupted its closed season to launch a new book by compere Pieter Scholtz.
Myths, masks & Miracles (published by Horus) draws on folk tales from across Africa – Egypt, Ghana,
Nigeria, Uganda, Somalia and South Africa itself, a favourite theme of Pieter's in the 27 plays he has
published for young people, along with his other stories and poems in the Japanese haiku format.
This is quite a weighty publication with some wonderful artwork by Lindy Pelzl – ancient Egyptian
stuff, African pottery and patterns and a beautiful reproduction of a bushman painting.
At the soiree Pieter and a few of the audience read one of the stories. It was about a blacksmith
commanded by the king, on pain of death, to create a living man of iron.
At first I thought this was an allegory on the Nkandla myth. The sharp-tongued vizier reminded me
much of Mac Maharaj. But it seems I was wrong, it's a Ugandan folk tale.
Skimming through, I'm glad to see that the South African stories include the one about Van Hunks
out-smoking the Devil with his potent pipe tobacco on the slopes of Table Mountain – hence Devil's
Peak.
The folk tales are what make Africa. I look forward to getting into this book properly.
Scenic trip
NARROW gauge rides again ... outings along a section of lower south coast narrow gauge railway
track are to start next month, running from Paddock to Plains station, near Port Shepstone.
The narrow gauge Hamba Weheli Express - with an open carriage - will be drawn by a small diesel
locomotive and will start from the Gorgez View restaurant for a one-hour return trip through
spectacular hill and gorge scenery.
The Hamba Weheli replaces the very popular Banana Express which used to run as a tourist
attraction on the narrow gauge line, but had to close after financial disputes with Transnet.
Hamba Weheli is a joint venture between steam train enthusiast Derrick Classen, of Paddock, and
Paton Country Railway, managed by Julian Perreira, a narrow gauge steam train from Ixopo into the
hills immortalised by Alan Paton in Cry, The Beloved Country. This train replicates Paton's "toy train"
which features in the novel.
The Paton Country Railway also operates the eShayamoya Express, a steam train that operates on
the broad gauge Cape-Natal line from Creighton to Underberg and beauty spots elsewhere. Both are
very popular with overseas visitors.
All three railways are aimed at tourism promotion in the southern districts of KZN.
The Hamba Weheli starts next month. Tickets are R100 (children R50). Pizzas R25. Bookings: 039-
6791345/072-2386865 or bookings@pcngr.co.za
Tailpiece
"I JUST bought a new hearing aid. It cost R12 000 but it's state of the art. It's
perfect."
"Really. What kind is it?"
"Twelve-thirty."
Last word
A psychiatrist is a fellow who asks you a lot of expensive questions your wife asks
for nothing.
Joey Adams
No comments:
Post a Comment