Meerkat Hierdie nuusbrief is vol spelfoute, grammatika foute, soms ‘n skelwoord of 2,maar altyd met goeie bedoelings, en uit die hart. Ek is nie ‘n letterkundige of redakteur nie, sommer net iemand wat Mikpunt se belange op die ha rt dra. Personal vendettas or rude and harmful things will not be published, as this is a newsletter with positive news that concerns our community June 2009 Issue 11 021 971 1237 072 879 9911 mikpuntmeerkat@gmail.com http://mikpuntmeerkat.blogspot.com/ The winter is in full swing, the rain, the storms and the cold, time for a “lekker kaggelvuur” andsome good red wine, or a nice Sherry for the ones who prefer something sweeter. This year the rain came early and we could probablyalso expect the floodsearlier too. It’s according to me one of the highlights in Mikpunt, the get together on the river bank when it is in flood. Potjiekos Kompetisie Swaanswijk Saterdag 27 Junie 2009 Inskrywing R50.00 Maksimum 20 1st prys Staal Braai geborg deur Mario Steel 2de Prys Kis wyn geborg deur Die Spookhuis 3 de prys Kis bier geborg deur Pieter van Swaanswijk Papier borde en rys geborg deur Maryke van Swaanswijk Spot pryse! ! ! ! ! ! Stalletjies vir die verkoop van produkte beskikbaar teen R25.00Mikpunt
Klipheuwel
Mikpunt Nuus
Daar was nie veel nuus die afgelope maand nie. Dis goed vir ons omgewing as mense hulle plekke opgradeer. Ek sien Klipspringer Kafee het so bietjie verander, baie nice Aletta, glo dis baie beter vir jou dat jou kliënte nou tot by die kafee kan loop, en natuurlik is jou nuwe winkel assistent ook ’n pluspunt ( ha-ha sal mos so sê van my sus). Jy sal maar moet kom kuier dat ek vir jou ook ’n paar plantjies kan gee vir jou nuwe tuin.
The street names were put up on Friday 29 May, isn’t it wonderful, now we only need the council to give us numbers to go with that. I live in Magnolia Street, not to shabby would have loved it if they were indigenous tree names. In this time, with the whole world, thinking green, going g
reen and organic, one assumed that our people in the council would think the same. But "gedane sake het nie keer" so we have to make the best. of it and enjoy the benefits of having street names. It was always a mission to give directions, now it would be much easier. I know there were
people upset about it being in English but it was a council decision and unfortunately nobody in our community was involved, a pity, but that’s how it was.
Mikpunt Greetings
Charlotte
Herbs / Medicinal Plants
“Plants of which the leaves or stems and leaves are used for medicine or for their scent or flavor”. Herbs have a variety of uses
including culinary, medicinal, or in some cases even spiritual usage. General usage differs between
culinary herbs and medicinal herbs. In medicinal or spiritual use any of the parts of the plant might be considered "herbs", including leaves, roots
, flowers, seeds, resin, root bark, inner bark (cambium), berries and sometimes the pericarp or other portions The information contained within this articles merely recounts the traditional uses of specific plants as recorded through history. Always seek advice from a medical practitioner. The Mikpunt Meerkat and its representatives will not be held responsible for the improper use of any plants or documentation provided.
Aloe Ferox, Bitteraalwyn, Riversdal Aloe, Tap or Kransaalwyn.
This is perhaps the best known of all aloes- it grows naturally in the Riversdale / Swellendam districts in the Southern Cape. It is from this aloe that aloe juice is obtained from.
It’s a robust, single stemmed plant, usually 2 meters high, but up to 5 m in older plants. The leaves are dull green to greyish green and broad. Like most aloes turn reddish in colour under drought stress. Dark brown spines are present along the edges and persistent on the lower parts of the stem.
The flowers are usually bright orange-red, but bright red, yellowish and even white
forms are found.
Aloe ferox is used for medical products known as Cape Aloes. There are some of Lennon products that use it as Lewensessens, Helmonts-kruie-Dm.
Aloe bitters may also be processed to obtain pure aloin or aloesin, a chromone derivate. The latter has application in the cosmetics industry as a natural skin –lighter, especially in Japan. It inhibits the formation of melanin in the skin.
Some aloes got more gel as others but most of them help for skin problems, insect bites, and burns and even for dry skin.
I had a problem with my Jack Russell. He had a scratch on his front paw and it was there for months I tried everything,
neighbours gave medicines and it just didn’t heal as he was always licking it, so I tried aloe gel- from the garden and after a
week it was healed.
Aloe bitters is still listed in modern pharmacopoeias as a laxative medicine. It should
not be taken continuously for long periods and is known to be unsuitable for use during pregnancy or while breast feeding.
There are 2 Companies that I know of that have a whole range of aloe products such as hand creams, foam bath and shampoos.
Aloe Ferox in Albertinia 028 735 2504
And Alcare Aloe
Snakes Rescue
When you need help with a snake, feel free to phone Derek or Jacques to remove the snake
from your property, free of charge! They will take the snake to a safe place, away from residential properties and free it again. Our aim is to get people not to kill snakes; most people kill it just because it’s a snake and might be harmful to humans.
Landline 021 971 1237 Cell 072 879 9911
Rescues of the last month
Cape Cobra ± 1m long Derek Dirks – Derek het die cobra vir 2 ure opgepas terwyl
ek my troue klaargemaakhet sodat ons die slang kon kom vang en verwyder. Ek moet sê dit was vir my nogal stresvol om so ‘n aggresiewe, gevaarlike slang in aksie te
sien. Aan die twee Derek’s moet ek sê, sjoe julle isdapper/moedig/onverskrokke, en welgedaan aan Derek Dirks vir sygeduld,' n ander sou lankal moed opgegee het en die slang doodgemaak het.Die foto is nou nie baie duidelik nie, maar soos Derek sê sy fotograaf is ‘n bang gat, my ma het my geleer - eerder bang Jan as dooie Jan – so!
Aurora huisslang Macey
Molslang Maryke
Slak-eter Micey omdat hul so goed vir die tuin is en totaal onskadelik het ons hom daar gelos
Boomslang, Dispholidus typus Tree snake
When alarmed the boomslang is likely to slither away through the forest at lightning speed. However, this back-fanged species must be treated with great respect, for its strong, slow-acting poison is potentially lethal. When cornered, the snakes will inflate its neck and, if further molested, will strike out. The venom causes severe
internal bleeding.
The boom slang’s camouflage is excellent suited to its arboreal habitat. Perhaps no other snake species has such a wide colour range – from light to dark brown, from bright leaf-green to olive green, and from mottled black to uniform black. The underpants are always lighter and are often tinged with yellow. Lying almost invisible along the branch of a tree, the snake will wait, immobile, for long periods for its favoured prey. Its food consists of chameleons, lizards, frogs and birds; it’s also forages on the ground under the trees but will always return to a tree to consume its food.
Average size of a boomslang is 1 to 1.5 meters in length. They are widely spread in the Western Cape but prefer the wetter parts to the drier parts. They are widely spread elsewhere in the country wherever there are trees and shrubs. The boomslang has large eyes and rougher body scales than the green mamba, thus the way to distinguish them from the green mamba
Green Corner / Groen Hoekie
Aangesien dit nou tyd is dat die aalwyne orals blom behandel ek die maand Aalwyne, Die Boomaalwyn en medisinaal. Die Aloe Ferox. Ons het ’n besondere liefde vir aalwyne, daarmee sê ek glad n
ie dat ons kenners is nie, dis vir ons maar heel moeilik om aalwyne uit te ken, selfs met ’n boek in die hand. Ons bewonder altyd mense wat plante sommer so uit die vuis op hul botanies name noem. Ons is sommer net lief vir dié vet doringplante.
Aloe Barberae, Boomaalwyn, Tree Aloe, Mikaalwyn, inKalane enkulu (Zoeloe meaning the big one)
National tree number is 28. Plants occur as solitary, much-branched trees of UP to 18 m high and could form trunks of UP to 3m in diameter. Branching is either two- or three-forked. The bark of the trunks is grayish brown and rough to touch. The leaves are deeply channeled and recurved.
This is the only aloe with orangey-pink flowers. Aloe Barberae is the larges of all aloes.
This aloe is essentially a forest dweller and favor dense, tall bush and low forest. They naturally occur from East London in the Eastern Cape northwards through KwaZulu-Natal,
Swaziland and Mpumalanga to southern and central Mozambique.
Plants will grow in almost any climate and soil type. They should be protected against severe frost and drought. It is easily cultivated and can be propagated by cuttings or truncheons.
They grow very well in Mikpunt I have one in my garden and
a saw quite a big one in Sophia’s garden. But unfortunately mine and hers got the aloe rust. Aloe rust is caused by rust fungus that leaves black spots on the upper and lower leaf surface of aloe plants. Unfortunately, treatment with systemic fungicides is rarely very effective. The best way to address the problem is to cut away the diseased leaves and to improve the vigour of the plants by regularly feeding and watering. I have tried to get rid of the fungus by cutting all the leaves and it still got the same problem. At this stage I am trying to feed it as often as possible to see if it would outgrow the sickness, as this is alternative advice given to me. If someone can perhaps advise me on how to get rid of it, I would appreciate it, as I see it’s spreading to some of my other aloes.
Advertising Info For all our old advertisers we will keep the old rates for the following 6 months. Make use of this offer as we are expanding our delivery area month by month, starting with Philadelphia and Kalbaskraal.
Business listings are free of charge (business name contact number type of business) Publication the first week of every month, adds must be submitted before the 29th of each month With a 6-month contract (paid upfront) - you get 6 publications but pay for 5 Adverts cost as follow First publication There after Small (5cm x 5cm) 40.00 30.00 Medium (5cm x 12cm) 70.00 60.00 Half page (10cm x 12cm) 130.00 110.00 Full page (19cm x 12cm) 220.00 200.00 Front Page (10cm x 12cm) 300.00 Back Page (19cm x12cm) 400.00 Churches, Schools and other welfare organizations (MEC Ministries) are half price SWAANSWIJK Radioweg 213 Klipheuwel Maryke: 082 932 1379 swaanswijk@gmail.com Take-a-ways and snacks daily, phone for menu or mail us Etes en lekker happies daagliks beskikbaar. Skakel gerus. Aflewering in Klipheuwel ingesluit Bekostigbare funksies, Klein of Groot funksies by jou huis of elders Affordable catering, functions, setting up of tables, chai rs etc. We offer: CATERING PLATTERS FUNCTION ACCESSORIES ˜♥Flowerheart♥™ Floral creations by Charlotte k “The Crew” 021 971 1237 0728799911 Beautiful custom designed floral arrangements for Weddings and Functions. We specialize in wedding flowers and décor. With my experience I can enhance your ideas and create the perfect look for your big day. I can work in a budget with pleasure. Contact me for a free quote. flowerheartcape@yahoo.com Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome – Samuel Johnson
Mark of Leather
Good as new! Professional Tanning
Mark – 083 732 2561
markofleather.com markpofleather@live.co.uk
Emergency number /Nood nommers
| Police | 10111 emergencies 021 970 3811 Durbanville 021 980 5533 Kraaifontein |
| Fire Department | 021 970 3107 |
| Ambulance | 10177 |
| Tygerberg Hospital ( Snake bites) | 021 931 6129 |
Free Listing of businesses
| Arum Farm home school | 082 808 2280 | 021 9711 112 | Farm School |
| Avroy Shlain | 084 592 7913 | Melanie | Beauty Products |
| Bavaria Air | 082 4444 317 | Marius | Air-condition |
| Blind Wise | 083 539 4237 | Steven | Blinds installed |
| BOBCAT for Hire | 084 616 5033 | Ronel | Earthmoving |
| C J Coetzee Industries | 083 251 6268 | 078 478 3494 | Paving painting renovations ext |
| Cash for Gold | 072 453 5052 | Sonja | I Pay Cash for Gold |
| CL Nail Creation | 082 368 9046 | Cindy-Lee | Nails |
| Flowerheart | 072 879 9911 | 021 9711237 | Wedding Flowers |
| Hemingway Real Estate | 084 359 0745 | Isabel | Resident Agent |
| Hip Vibe | 072 3991 765 | Martie | Vibe Crete make over |
| Horse Riding | 082 741 0991 | | Horse riding Lessons |
| Internet | mlh@live.co.za | Mandy | Internet connection |
| Kids Parties | 021 971 1237 | 072 879 9911 | Farm Yard Parties |
| Klipheuwel Air-conditioning | 084 592 7897 | Eugene | Air-conditioning |
| Maid to Sparkle | 076 683 9328 | | House cleaning Service |
| Mark of Leather | 083 732 2561 | Mark | Re-colouring of leather suites ext |
| My Way cafe | 072 478 3494 | 021 971 1257 | Groceries ext. |
| Painting and Paving | 078 478 3494 | Trudy | Paint |
| Patchindigo photography | 072 682 8845 | Juan Voges | Family portrays, weddings |
| Paving and Rock pools | 083 763 0681 | Kobie | Paving / Rock pools |
| Professional Bookkeeping | 078 341 3250 | Merle | Bookkeeping |
| River Reed Paper | 021 971 1428 | Amy & Tom | Hand made paper |
| Satellite, Sound / Computers | 084 625 2468 | Gerrit Pienaar | Installation |
| Sunshine House | 078 341 3250 | 021 975 6633 | Baby safe house Ray |
| Swaanswijk Catering | 082 932 1379 | Maryke van Wijk | Catering |
| Talisman plant & Tool Hire | 082 924 7460 | 021 5554834 | Plant & Tool Hire |
| Xenobs Projects | 082 585 3047 | Gielie | Building |
Green Corner – Bulbs
Babiana rubrocyanea, Kelkiewyn or Rooiblou-bobbejaantjie
This beauty is part of the Iris family, 100 x 100 mm.
Bobejaantjies are cormous plants with strongly ribbed, slightly hairy leaves. They have showy, cup-shaped flowers with bright blue petals with red centers. It is definitely one of the most striking species.
Species of this genus are probably among the best known smaller cormous plants in the Iris family. They grow wild in the south-western Cape, their star-shaped flowers appears in spring in a wild range of colours, often blue with contrasting centers. Their solid, hairy strong ribbed leaves are very distinctive.
They grow from seed and corns. They are ideal for rockeries and thrive in full sun. They would do the best in compost rich soil, but will tolerate poor soil. Plant the corns approximately 200 mm apart. Very good plants for containers on a patio.
If not mistaken I have seen them last spring in the veld behind us on the Kliprug Farm. I will definitely look out for them this year and make sure whether I correctly identified this species.
This time of the year a lot of our indigenousness bulb plants emerge, look out for them in the veldt around us. You will be amazed to see how many are around. Perhaps we can organize a walk in the veld in spring time and start a data base of all the species.
I stumbled on a blog page of a guy that takes pictures of birds on Klipheuwel check it out, quite interesting to
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know that someone would take the trouble to drive out here only to take pictures of our birds, are there any birdwatchers in Mikpunt, please share your info with us. Yet another thing we can start here, a bird watching group. http://www.hardaker.co.za/blog290707.htm
This is a photo of a Spotted Eagle owl that we rescued on a stormy night, we raised her, taught her to hunt on her own and set her free. We still see her from time to time, or we hope that it is her.
Farm Yard Kiddies Parties
Kinderpartytjies in ‘n Plaasatmosfeer
Jungle gym, pony rides, feeding of animal etc.
Very exciting themes
Boemelaars/hobos- Your party box will be a bundle on a stick to carry over your shoulder
Cowboys and girls
Fairies and elves – decorate your own cup cake
Hiking trail / Picnic - for the not so young we can go on a short hiking trail next to the river and have a picnic there in the veld.
High tea - For a bit more we can do a proper fancy high tea, we leave out the meal and set the table with all fancy cup cakes, sweeties, chocolate truffles etc. To drink we will have juice and ice tea. (If preferred we can have tea or coffee too)
…and more - pirates, Witches/Horror, Winnie, Brads, and Indians etc.
If possible we will accommodate your ideas.
R55.00 per child
Includes
A choice of meals
Ø Mini Hamburger and baked chippies
Ø Mini Hotdogs and baked chippies
Ø Chicken strips and baked chippies
Party box with sweeties and goodies, including a juice
You can provide your own birthday cake or contact us for a custom baked theme cake
Minimum of 10 kids
Duration of party is 2 hours
Deposit or R200.00 required
Adults are welcome at R8.50 per adult; includes tea and coffee self service.
Snacks can be ordered in advance - Phone or mail us for price and availability (cakes, milk tarts, quiche etc) you are welcome to bring your own cool drink and ice, all cutlery, glasses etc will be provided.
Charlotte 021 971 1237 072 879 9911
