Happy Festive Season to all of our N'tsirians
Our farm has certainly had its ups and downs this year! Anyway, I am sure that you are all relieved to be winding down. Hopefully many of you are heading for the farm for some OR all of the Christmas period. This newsletter should provide some good holiday reading!!
The farm management has very kindly organised some fun members "Get Together's" during December and of course our Traditional New Years Eve Function.
Our baby impala's have arrived and we have been blessed with wonderful rains in the past few weeks which has resulted in our river flowing and our dams all full. We really hope that this pattern continues into the New Year - our bush needs a break!!
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Greetings N'tsirians
Well, N'tsiri is still in the “dry war”, things looking bleak, but only if you look past the blossoms, harder to find right now, but findable! All budding, leaf, blossom & shoots, occurred very late this year. We’re just over 40mm rain thus far, heaviest spell was but 11mm, when 30 – 60mm was forecast! Don’t forget Jan 19th 2012, weather forecast was for zero rain, clear skies, we got 500mm in 24hrs. I First impala lamb spotted on Ntsiri by Andrew #14, on 22/11, amazing, by very far, the cutest thing in the Bushes.
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Building Portfolio - Dave Joscelyne
One thing to note over the festive season: the farm puts a hold on all building activities during this high member occupancy period: 14 December until 14 January. No contractors are permitted on the farm.
Secondly and ongoing, members are reminded that for any alterations or repairs to their units, they are required to submit FORM A (found under download section on website or click on the link below). The completed form can be sent to: daj1@mweb.co.za
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Insurance Matters - Peter Moon
As part of our ongoing Long-Term Assistance Plan in place with the Valuator Group, they recently commenced updating the valuations of all units. Members will be notified once complete and updated documentation distributed. Completion is expected during December. A separate communication will be sent out in due course highlighting important clauses in our insurance contract with Hollard as it relates to Member’s bungalows. Please take the time to read the communication and let me know if there are any questions. A reminder to Members to please notify Ethel of any alterations to units to allow us to ensure that the insurance schedules are accurate and up to date. If you have any queries related to insurance please feel free to contact me directly via email: peter@adeptadvisory.co.za Wishing you all a happy festive season! Peter
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Lightening warning - Don Millar
The board was very sad to learn of the destruction of Unit 44 due to lightening strike earlier this month. Members are reminded that this can occur very quickly and it is virtually impossible to put out a fire in a thatch house once it starts. We urge members to make sure that their personal insurance is updated regularly. The board will continue to get advice from our insurance companies and implement any feasible measures to prevent such tragedies.
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Protected Area Group - Theo Van Wyk
Greg Martindale has completed a very informative document on the value that The Greater Kruger / GLTFCA cooperative agreement will add. This group is working closely with the Umbabat to address issues and capitalize on opportunities within the open system of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and its surrounding conservation areas. It is important that all N'tsiri members read this and are aware of the project. The Umbabat needs Members to support all aspects of this project in order for success. Please click on link below for full document.
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Umbabat News
Lindsey Jones appointed Communications and Stakeholder Manager Lindsey Jones, partner of UPNRA Warden, Bryan Havemann, has been brought on board to manage communications and stakeholder engagement as a consultant. She is presently creating a website, a members only Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/Umbabat/, will oversee the Outreach Programme, and assist with fundraising for the reserve. She is asking all members that have photos, and historical stories regarding the Reserve to please email her so that she can put it on the website. Any queries can be directed to her on info@umbabat.com
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Umbabat Facebook Page
N'tsiri members are able to apply to Lindsay to join the group for Umbabat Nature Reserve. Please find the link for the UPNRA new Facebook page. It is a closed group and all posts and membership are controlled by Lindsay Jones and Karon Willson. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1608297262615345/
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Umbabat Community Outreach
New Outreach Member The UPNRA, in line with NEMPA requirements, has initiated a Community Outreach Programme. The Programme will focus on youth, Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). The outreach team has been given an Environmental Monitor (EM), Splender Tshabalala, by the Kruger 2 Canyons Biosphere and started in July 2018. She will be based in the Sigagula Village of Acornhoek, just off the Orpen Rd with SAME. Her role is to assist with the after-school programme for the OVC. Subjects she focuses on during the school term are Maths and English and during the school holidays, it will be Art, Sport, Self-Development and Environmental Education. For updates follow us on our UPNRA Facebook page.
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Member's Bookings
Just a reminder to members, that during these very high occupancy periods on the farm, management requests that members try and get their Visit Dates and Maid requests in early. There are only limited Maid Service slots available. This request applies to December period, Easter and any long weekends.
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Save the date
Ethel and her team have organised a fun member get together on Friday 28 December. This will take the form of the very popular "Gin-Tails" at the pool lapa. Please get your bookings in to Ethel as soon as possible as she needs to confirm final numbers with suppliers.
She also needs to know numbers for the annual New Years Eve Bash which will take the form of the usual "Bring and Braai". Farm will supply Pap and Sauce.
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Ingwe Dam is full and 'Tsiri River is flowing
Rain, Glorious Rain...... We have been blessed with wonderful, soaking rains in the past few weeks. So far we are sitting on 69mm for December. Ingwe dam has gone from a mud puddle full of Barbel to a full body of water. Looking forward to many "Ingwe Dam Sundowners" in the next couple of months.
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Beware - the Snouted Cobra
A huge Snouted Cobra (Nala annulifera) has been spotted at the Pool Lapa. He appears to be living in a hole in the brick wall. He is really large and is not shy of people, so be on the look out. As soon as Mark is sure that he has left his hole, the hole will be filled to discourage his return. Until then keep your eyes open. As they say.... "Africa is not for sissies...!"
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Warthog Dam Hide
Although all our hides and communal structures are regularly repaired and maintained, Warthog Dam Hide has deteriorated rapidly and despite best efforts, the board has not been able to schedule its revamp in time for the festive season. We urge members to be cautious when using the hide, do not take the occupants of MORE than ONE vehicle up there. Prevent kids from running or rough play.
Repairs will be executed early in 2019.
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Keith Rowles August 2018
We recently heard of the sad passing of Keith Rowles, former GM on our farm, after a long battle with cancer.
On behalf of the Ntsiri Board and Members, who know the Rowles family, we extend our condolences to them.
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Impala'tjies everywhere
One of our favorite times of year when all the all the Impala Ewes drop their babies. This picture, kindly taken by Yvonne was one of the first little critters to pop out. Seen by her on morning rounds by Old Ephraim's crossing
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Wild dogs for Africa
I don't think any of us has every been blessed with the amount of wild dogs that we've seen on the last few consecutive visits. Malcolm Prangley #22 submitted this photo of the Wild Dog Pups playing with one of the plastic snakes off his aeroplane.... as long as they leave the plane alone!!
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Historical "Christmas" newsletter
Many thanks to Rodney Topham #12, for digging up and sending in this wonderful edition of the December 1993 N'tsiri newsletter. The editor of this was my own wonderful father, Spencer Dowdle, who served on the N'tsiri committee for many years. Note all pictures are real sketches done by various Member's children!!
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Bird Lover's paradise
The birds on the farm at the moment are a treat. They are everywhere in huge "birding parties". The Dawn Chorus starts at about 3:30 am. Not sure that everyone is as appreciative as I am.... but I am in my element. Thank you, Peter #R13 for the gorgeous picture of an Orange Breasted Bush Shrike .
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New Mopani Leaves
Finally at end of November we started to see the new Mopani leaves starting to spring through. A bit later than usual this year, probably due to the late rains..... anyway, they are here and our bush looks all the more beautiful for it.
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Black Stick Lily
Xerophyta retinervis - Commonly known as "Bobbejaan Stert". They can grow as large as 1.8m, they grow grass like tufts of leaves. The fibrous stems can be used to make pot scourers, candles and rope.
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Christmas Bush
Pavetta catophylla - Grows as a rounded shrub on sandy soils. They are sweetly scented and grow a sword-shaped fruit. A favourite of our browsers.
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Russet Bush Willow
Combretum hereroense - The Russet Bush Willow is a deciduous shrub found abundantly on N'tsiri. They are in flower at the moment and add a beautiful yellow hue to the bushveld.
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Grow your Own Impala Lillies
Around this time of year, members will notice that the Impala lilies develop long pods which split and send out their feathered seeds. Planting these in River sand and watering very sparsely.... may well produce some very rewarding results!!
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Congratulations Yvonne
On 26 July this year, Yvonne welcomed her granddaughter, Leya Summer Bezuidenhout, into the world. She is Gorgeous, congratulations Yvonne - proud Granny!!!
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Staff Village Gardens
With the recent upgrade and repaint of the staff village, it was a pleasure to see that our staff are taking great pride in their houses and have created beautiful gardens around their units. Two examples are these photos taken of Mildred and Daphney's gardens. One of their problems is that monkeys keep eating anything edible.... we may need to look for a solution to this!
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Rainfall and Temperatures
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| October Min Temp: | 20.7 | Rainfall for October:
| 13.25m
| | October Max Temp: | 31.6
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| November Min Temp: | 23.1 | Rainfall for November:
| 24.3m
| | November Max Temp: | 34.54 |
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Keep Netting those Knobthorns
It was very exciting during a tree netting excusion last month, that we had to drive road after road to find "unnetted" trees. To date this is still the most effective mitigation method that we have. I urge members through these longer farm visits coming up now, to get up early and get out Netting!! January / February are are two big tree destruction months..... lets get some more protected!! Just as a tip.... Ntsheli still has plenty of huge Knobthorns that we havent yet done.
On that topic - please will members that still have the "tree netting kits" with tools and gloves in them, to return them to the front office. I made up 4 of these kits and on my last visit, none had been returned!!
This is a team effort - Keep up the good work!
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Thornybush Workshop on "Elephants and Big Trees"
On 8 November 2018, Elephants Alive Conservation Group held a workshop on Mitigation Methods to save our big trees from elephant damage. The workshop was chaired by Dr Michelle Henley and My Robin Cook and was extremely informative In light of all the work that is done on N'tsiri, to save our trees, its rewarding to see that we are contributing to a much bigger project. For those interested in reading more, the Summary Document is available here and on the website for download.
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SOME FACTS ABOUT OUR GALAXY
The word "galaxy" comes from the Greek word galaxias which means "Milky" A small galaxy is one that contains less than 1 Billion stars Our Milky Way has in excess of 2 Billion stars The Milky way is constantly moving and making new stars It has enough gas and interstellar dust to make 100 Billion more stars There is "black hole" at the centre of the Milky Way
A Black Hole is a region in space where the gravity is so strong that not even light can escape
The largest known galaxy is called IC 1101 and has 100 Trillion stars
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Creatures great and Small
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Foam Nest Tree Frog
This small grey frog is frequently seen at out dams and around our dwellings. They are largely arboreal (live in trees) and broad sticky pads on their feet that help them with jumping and gripping. The females construct melon sized nests of foam and froth. It can take them as long as 7 hours to make one nest. During this time they will climb down and enter the water 2-3 times to rehydrate by absorbing water into their skin. The make a loud quack-quack sound accompanied by a quieter buzzing.
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Many thanks to my contributors for this edition: Malcolm and Natalie Prangley #22 (photgraphs), Leslie Henderson #16 (photographs), Yvonne Viljoen (staff news and photographs), Rodney Topham #R12 (historical newsletter), Sugs Smith #48 (News on Keith Rowles) and Peter Anderson #R13 (photographs).
So I'll end on that note.... hopefully 2019 will have a much more regular roll out of N'tsiri newsletters. I will try! I'm sure that you will all agree that this "New Template" is a vast improvement, but I do rely on member's and staff inputs..... so please keep sending!!
Happy holidays all and safe travels where ever life takes you and your families this festive season! Warm Regards. Sara Boyd All submissions can be sent to: sara.boyd@mweb.co.za
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TEL:
015 793 2366
015 793 3112
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