Greetings N'tsirians

The ovenly-days are back at N'tsiri, the baked-mind phenomenon has returned.  Still no decent rain, but predictions & forecasters are indicating this will start soon. We’ve been buzzing on ellies of late, now a herd of about 300 has been reported quite a few times in the last week. Roadworks has been on my main agenda now for some weeks, we’ve done quite a bit. Sleeping Platform is coming along beautifully.  It became obvious during the dismantling process that this repair/renovation was not too soon. We’re almost onto short finals for end-of-year preparations, please let us know early of your intentions to visit, already our agendas for November getting filled.

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N'tsiri AGM

Our AGM has come and gone..... we would like to thank those members that attended and gave valuable input. We would like to welcome our new members to the board, Peter Moon (#34) and Theo Van Wyk (#27). We look forward to their contributions and hope that their time on the board is enjoyable. Outgoing board members were Malcolm Prangley and Peter Grigoratos. We would like to extend our thanks to them for their years of dedicated service!!

Welcome to New Members

The board would like to extend a hearty welcome to our new N'tsiri members:

Danie and Renee Human (#4)

Fanie and Baba Erasmus (#46)

Rich and Louisa Lascaris (#58)

 May you have many blessed years on this beautiful farm of ours!

Insurance Matters - Peter Moon

Those members that attended the AGM will know that I have taken over the insurance portfolio from Malcolm. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Malcolm for all his efforts over the years managing insurance related matters. He has left the Board a well organized, up-to-date portfolio and I know I have huge boots to fill!

Further to prior updates provided, priority areas for the remainder of the year include:

• updating of indemnities (including the airfield) which need tightening up based on consultation with our insurers.
• commencing the process of obtaining gas certificates of compliance for all outstanding bungalows.

Separate communication to follow on the above items.Please send any queries related to insurance directly to Peter Moon: peter@adeptadvisory.co.za

Building Activities - Dave Joscelyne

• No 46 – The build is complete and Fanie and Baba have spent a couple of nights in their new unit. We wish them many years of happiness as members of Ntsiri.
• No 18 – Len and Sheryl Bert have embarked on a complete rebuild of their unit. This will involve the demolition of the existing building and rebuilding of a new unit over the existing footprint.
• No 61 – Don and Mariaane MacRobert are currently building a new double carport and patio covering.

Members wishing to apply for permission for a new building or for any alteration projects, need to fill in the required application forms and submit these to the building directors.peter@cellchem.co.za or daj1@mweb.co.za

Protected Areas Act - NEMPAA

The board would like to thank our newest board member, Theo Van Wyk (#27), as well as Greg Martindale, for their very informative presentation on the developments around our inevitable incorporation into the protected areas act. This information is vital to our understanding of the path forward.

EIA proposal for New Roads

At the most recent AGM, the idea to look into the possibility of new roads was proposed by the EMP committee following suggestions from N’tsiri members. The board and EMP committee would like to consider getting EIA studies completed to look at the feasibility of putting in some new roads on N’tsiri. It was made clear to N’tsiri members at the AGM that this project is subject to EIA clearance and thereafter N’tsiri member’s approval. Comments and suggestions can be forwarded to: sara.boyd@mweb.co.za

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Malaria Outbreak!

Malaria update 28 September 2017

The early increase in malaria cases has continued in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, including cases being reported from the Kruger National Park and some of the surrounding private lodges.  The very mild winter conditions experienced in the region has been favourable to ongoing mosquito breeding.

There should be heightened awareness for malaria in any person living in or with recent travel to a malaria area who presents with a fever or flu- like illness. This is especially important to note given a prolonged influenza season and overlapping symptoms, and a number of recent misdiagnoses of malaria as influenza.  Urgent malaria tests are required and should be repeated if negative.

The 2017 National Malaria Treatment Guidelines and 2017 Guidelines for the Prevention of Malaria can be accessed on NICD website http://www.nicd.ac.za/

Communicated by The National Institute for Communicable Diseases

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Staff library and games room

Our collection of books and toys for our staff kids playroom continues. Please remember to clear out those unused books and toys that are still in good condition. Our N'tsiri staff work endlessly to make our holidays at N'tsiri effortless.... let's give a little back. Ethel will happily accept contributions and keep them safe. Thank you to all of you who have already donated to this worthy cause.

Our Pool Area

Wow! Wow! WOW!! Our pool area is looking green and lush. The water is warm. The vibe is great. We look forward to great Summer enjoying this fabulous asset of ours. Thanks management and Walter have done a fantastic job!

Renovation of the Sleeping Platform

As seen in Mark's circular... "the renovation our beloved Sleeping Platform is well underway and looking very exciting. It became obvious during the dismantling process that this repair/renovation was not too soon.  The design was tweaked a tiny bit to lose dead-space & add more panorama to the view: I love the result! Also that creosote won’t feature there anymore". This Member's favourite will be up and running again by the December festive period.

Game Drive Etiquette

Mark Smith (# R05) very kindly copied and sent in this article recently found in the Ingwelala newsletter on game drive etiquette. Ingwelala has kindly allowed us to reproduce this. We all know these rules... but it doesn't harm to relook and rethink them. Our game viewing pleasure should not affect the animals that we want to view or the fellow members that are there to enjoy the sightings with us.

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Tree Wisteria - Bolusanthus speciosus

This small deciduous tree with its beautiful drooping foliage is in bloom at the moment. A good example can be seen blooming on the far side of Hardekool Pan. The roots of this tree have been used traditionally as emetics. The dried bark has been used for stomach ailments. The wood makes very good furniture. Thank you to Barbara Pepper for supplying this picture. Mine was not up to scratch.

Dwarf Bush Cherry (Spider Bush)

Maerua Parvifolia - Small woody shrub up to 2 m tall with stiff rigid branches. Leaves clustered on dwarf side shoots. Grows in hot and dry woodland and is frequently found growing out of termite mounds. Found throughout Southern Africa, as far North as Malawi. Demonstrating unique flowers all over N'tsiri at the moment.

Lotsa lotsa elephants

As well put in his September Circular, Mark wrote: "We’ve been buzzing on ellies of late, now a herd of about 300 has been reported quite a few times in the last week". This picture shows Malcolm and Natalie Prangley (#22) being completely surrounded, by luckily rather friendly herd of elephants!! What an experience.

New Boy on the Block

Barry Kleu (# 29) very kindly sent in this beautiful picture of a huge male leopard, fondly known as Rommel! He has recently managed to oust our old resident, Moses and is shown here with a large gash on his hindquarter, presumably from a territorial fight.

Immature Bateleur Eagle

Once again, Barry Kelu (#29) has sent in this awesome photo of an immature Bateleur eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus). This handsome fellow has been spotted by numerous members on his perch along Bateleur Gorge.

They are scavengers of carrion, but also feed on small mammals, birds and reptiles. The immature birds moult over 4 times in a 6-7 period before attaining their spectacular adult plumage.

Preserving our trees

The "Protect Our Trees" project has been launched. In particular our Knobthorns and Marulas, as well as the Weeping Boer-beans, are particularly hard hit at this time of year and we need to move quickly to protect them. We will be encouraging as many members as possible to help identify these trees and get involved in the project. See full article below (put together by Peter Anderson #R13) for some of the ideas being looked into by the EMP committee....

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Tree netting project

Peter Anderson (#R13) has already begun our tree netting project in ernest. He has spent the past week at N'tsiri and has made sure that the correct spec of Pig Mesh is available at the office complex. Member's are reminded to either accurately identify the location of potentially threatened trees (preferably with GPS co-ordinates) or get involved and do your own netting. Any trees netted must be recorded and details sent to the EMP committee. The committee members will be visiting netted trees in the near future to ensure that the process is done correctly and aesthetically. Pictures and locations can be sent to: Peter Anderson peter@awpsa.co.za

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Good luck for Grade 12 exams!!

Yvonne has let me know that some of our staff have Grade 12 children who are currently preparing to sit their matric exams. We wish them the very best and hope that all the hard work is rewarded!!

African Civet - Civettictis civetta

So this little guy decided to creep into our house and onto my coffee table 2 weeks ago. We got the fright of our lives when the "new ornament" moved!! These creatures are exclusively nocturnal and are especially active in the early evening. They are very shy and when disturbed tend to lie down flat and remain motionless. Exactly what we experienced here. 1-4 young are born in August through to December and their gestation period is 2 months.

Remember ABSOLUTELY NO FEEDING OF ANIMALS. Although this was an awesome sighting... we don't want to encourage wild animals into our homes.