Tailpiece
Hi again,
Herewith, some snippets from various sources.
I appeal to you to send me items to distribute to our members for both the Cleft Stick and to be posted on the web site. It is your magazine and website, so ensure it gets the news that you would like to see in it.
Please let me have any changes to your physical address, phone no. or e-mail address to keep the database up to date.
Thanks to all of you who have made the effort. Please will any of you who know of members who do not get this “electric” Cleft~Stick, & have access to e-mail, pass their address along to me.
Don Yunnie
7 Chalet Drive, Hilton, 3245, South Africa Local Tel & Fax (033) 343 1534 Int. Tel & Fax (+2733) 343 1534 cell 082 377 7562 E-mail dyunnie@xsinet.co.za.
GRAA AGM 20 – 24 Feb 2006
Invitation to Namibia and NamibRand Nature Reserve
The Namib is a long desert, stretching from southern Angola, through Namibia to the northern Cape. The majority of visitors to Namibia see the world famous Sossusvlei area (which incidentally is under a lot of pressure) and the dunes between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. Many an ex-troopie will remember Dune 7 outside the latter town for different reasons and not always with fond memories.
Now you have a chance to see another facet of the fascinating Namib: the dunes, inselbergs, huge plains, sometimes covered in grass, disappearing in the hazy distance. Herds of gemsbok and springbok, appearing to float above the ground through the heat haze. Experience the energy sapping heat at midday and the cool invigorating evenings as the south-wester brings relief from the cold Atlantic.
The first ever GRAA meeting in Namibia will take place at NamibRand Nature Reserve from 20 to 24 February 2006. This private reserve, the largest in Namibia, comprises 13 previously commercial farms, now managed as one unit. Situated from about 40 km south of Sesriem and sharing a common boundary of 85 km with the Namib-Naukluft Park.
On this Reserve of over 172 000 hectares, roam hundreds of springbok, gemsbok, Burchell's zebra, hartebeest, ostrich and even giraffe. The Nubib Mountains form most of the eastern boundary, the home of Hartmann's mountain zebra, kudu and leopard. Other predators include spotted hyaena, caracal, black-backed jackal (the farmer's friend), Cape fox and aardwolf.
For birders, the Namib endemic Dune lark can be seen at close quarters. Rüppell's Korhaan are common. Raptors include Martial Eagles, Black-chested Snake Eagles, Pygmy, Peregrine, Lanner and Red-necked Falcons.
Even if you don't see a single mammal or bird, the desert scenery on NamibRand will blow your mind. Forget about the Lowveld, the bushveld of KZN or the mountains of the Cape. (No, we am not biased!). Be warned: bring plenty of film or extra memory chips for your camera.
The GRAA meeting will be held at the Namib Desert Environmental Education Trust (NaDEET) facilities. All the buildings are constructed from tar poles and shade cloth. As a result, we cannot darken the lecture hall for overhead or digital projectors. Speakers will have to enthrall us with their verbal deliveries and not rely on fancy computer technology. Another plus is that there is no cell phone coverage on NamibRand. Many people will be camping and there are toilets and showers. The nearest fuel station is about 60 km away, so make sure you have enough fuel.
The field day outing will give you the opportunity to see a large part of this unique desert reserve. As February can be very hot, unless you are fortunate enough to experience rain in the Namib, be sure to bring hats and sunscreen. Before or after the meeting you can spend a day at Sossusvlei. If you have any queries about this, please contact us.
Mark your calendar, make a reservation and join game rangers from all over southern Africa and hopefully from other parts of Africa for a few days of camaraderie in the company of like-minded people and at the same time experience Namibian hospitality and Gemütlichkeit.
See you in Namibia!
Peter Bridgeford and Marc Dürr
Organising Committee.
E-mail: pmbridge@iway.na.
MOTIVATION TO JOIN THE GRAA
Written by Ron Physick
"We have lived in the best time and seen the wonders of wildlife...and belong to a brotherhood the members of which have memories that cannot be matched...” Percival
The Game Rangers Association Of Africa (GRAA) was formed in 1970 by a small number of rangers from the Natal Parks Board and the National Parks Board. Their vision was an association that would represent the views of game rangers to decision makers in conservation organisations and governments, act as a forum and focus point for people working in conservation management in Africa and provide a communication network for game rangers working in isolated areas.
Initially it was exclusive in its constitution, setting stringent standards for work considered game ranging and in levels of experience. The aim was to set high standards so that game ranging would be classified as a professional career. The result however was that it came to be considered an ‘old boys club’ as many people working in the field of conservation management were excluded. This led to low membership and low creditability as it was all male, all white and limited in membership largely to the two founder conservation organisations.
This situation persisted for a period of nearly 20 years and in spite of the good intentions of the founder members it never really amounted to an association with any real clout.
The need for this type of association, but one which was much more inclusive, was demonstrated in a number of ways however. There was an attempt, led mainly by game rangers from the Cape, to form a rival association which would be open to all the ‘game rangers’ excluded from the GRAA but this never really got off the ground though there was initially good vocal support.
Members questioned the exclusivity of the GRAA at AGMs in an attempt to broaden its membership base but with no real success.
It was only in the nineties that the changing political landscape and the farsightedness of the committee of the time saw the association take a positive stride forward.
The most important step was the decision to join the International Rangers Federation (IRF). This federation was composed of associations of workers in the conservation management field from around the world. It was inclusive in all senses of the word and though fairly new had already succeeded in gaining high level recognition and in providing a world wide communication network for like minded people.
As a game ranger working for the Natal Parks Board I was approached on numerous occasions to join the GRAA but was never really attracted by the ‘Old Boys Club’ as it was then. It was only when we joined the IRF that I saw the value of being part of a global group of people working in an environment I related to and talking a language I understood. That was the hook. Here are people who have the same problems, limitations, frustrations and most importantly the same values as I have. Many of them are female. They come from every race and culture and speak a multitude of languages but if you meet them at one of the four yearly congresses you will find kindred souls who share your passion as ‘green guardians’ of our world. If you are lucky enough to visit other countries and use the IRF network to contact the rangers there, you will be enthusiastically hosted and given a glimpse into their natural world.
The GRAA in its own right and in association with the IRF is now accredited with the United Nations, the IUCN and a number of other important international environmental organisations.
What does this mean to all the ‘game rangers’ out there? To people who were members and lapsed through a variety of causes, to people who were excluded because they were not proper ‘game rangers’, or people who just never bothered to join because they saw no worth in it.
You owe it to yourself to be part of an association which is involved all over Africa, which is having a very positive influence on the professionalism of conservation workers or rangers, call them what you will, in a number of African countries and which is recognised as an influential component of the IRF.
Membership, and here I include Associate Membership for the many people who are interested in and make positive contributions to conservation though not professional rangers, will keep you in touch with conservation and environmental activities worldwide as well as in Africa and bring you news of your friends, acquaintances and colleagues in the ranging world.
It will give you opportunities to participate in activities, both formal and informal, and to contribute through participation in the provincial or national committees.
It will affirm your sense of belonging to a special profession unique in its worth and variety and contribution to the well-being of the human species.
Ron Physick
Raised in Jamaica, West Indies and educated at Munro College. He arrived in South Africa in 1969 via England and Australia having been involved in building a yacht and sailing it from Sydney to Durban. Joined the Natal Parks Board in 1970 where he was posted to Ndumo Game Reserve. His career progressed from Ndumo to the Drakensberg where he worked at Royal Natal National Park and Giant`s Castle Game Reserve with a stint between as a Zone Officer in the Ladysmith area. He became the Conservator Drakensberg, Chief Conservator South, Chief Conservator North. Deputy Director West and Regional Head West. In 1976 he completed the National Diploma in Nature Conservation and Management. He retired in 1999. He built and currently runs the KZN Wildlife website www.kznwildlife.com and the GRAA website www.gameranger.org.
He is married to Sue and has two married children.
IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas New Project:
Global Analysis of Protected Area Management
The interest in management effectiveness of protected areas has been increasing worldwide. The IUCN WCPA now has a framework for assessment and a wide range of assessment tools have been developed and applied around the world. Many protected area agencies or NGOs have also carried out detailed assessments of individual protected areas and organisations such as the Ramsar Convention and the World Heritage Convention assess the state of their sites on a more-or-less regular basis.
This momentum in interest in management effectiveness evaluations gained a major boost in February 2004 when the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) agreed to encourage all Parties to carry out such assessments. Goal 4.2 is “To evaluate and improve the effectiveness of protected areas management” and Decision 4.2.2 of the Work Programme on Protected Areas reads: “Implement management effectiveness evaluations of at least 30 percent of each Party's protected areas by 2010 and of national protected area systems and, as appropriate, ecological networks”. However, no global analysis has ever been conducted. Therefore this project aims to fill this gap and also fulfil other specified activities as outlined in the CBD Work Programme.
In a joint effort to contribute to this situation, the IUCN WCPA in partnership with the University of Queensland, WWF International and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), has started working in a project to produce a global review of management effectiveness evaluations of protected areas.
The project would have five main objectives:
The majority of the work will be conducted from a base at the University of Queensland, using the WCPA and other networks to identify and collect studies from management agencies, park managers, NGOs and others who have been involved in monitoring and assessment activities.
How can rangers and the International Ranger Federation (IRF) and Game Rangers Association of Africa (GRAA) general membership contribute to this project?
IRF and GRAA general membership can contribute to the project by communicating with us and letting us know about management effectiveness assessments that have been conducted or are occurring in your different countries. Additionally, we will welcome copies of management effectiveness manuals, electronic spreadsheets, or any other format of material used in your countries to conduct management effectiveness assessments. Finally, we will need to obtain sets of data obtained from real management effectiveness assessments of protected areas and protected area systems in your countries.
Please direct your contributions to the following email or physical addresses:
Dr Marc Hockings
Vice-Chair (Management Effectiveness Theme) IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas
Senior Lecturer
School of Natural & Rural Systems Management
The University of Queensland, Gatton
Gatton, Queensland 4343 AUSTRALIA
Phone: +61 (0)7 54601140
Fax: +61 (0)7 54601324
Mobile 0422 842 714
Email: m.hockings@mailbox.uq.edu.au
Dr Jose Courrau
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
School of Natural and Rural Systems Management
The University of Queensland, Gatton
Gatton QLD 4343
AUSTRALIA
Email: j.courrau@uq.edu.au
Phone: +61 7 5460 1608
Fax: +61 7 5460 1324.
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Media Statement
Embargo: 2:00 pm Eastern Time Thursday, 06 October 2005, Contact: Carol Moses 082 829 3917
DEAT SCIENTISTS INVOLVED IN EXCITING NEW SHARK RESEARCH
Marine scientists from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism was part of a group of international scientists studying a female great white shark crossing the Indian Ocean from South Africa to Australia and back within 99 days. This research was possible due to a device that was temporarily attached to a female white shark communicating information to a satellite.
This research highlights the first link of two of the most important and widely separated populations of great white sharks. It also highlights the first known round trip swim of an individual shark across an ocean and the fastest return trip across an ocean of any marine organism.
During the trip from South Africa to Australia the great white shark swam approximately 11 100 kilometres of which she spent significant amounts of time deep in the ocean. This suggests that the great white sharks are more vulnerable to commercial fishing operations in the open ocean than previously thought.
The study further describes the behaviour and migration patterns of a variety of other great white sharks, including long-distance return trips along the south eastern South African coast, smaller-scale patrolling behaviour and a tendency to return to home waters.
The DEAT marine scientists involved in the study are Mike Meyers, Herman Oosthuisen, Deon Kotze, Mike Paterson (previously Deat) and Stephan Swanson (previously Deat).
There are pictures available on request.
Issued by Carol Moses, Contact: 082 829 3917.
Kenya National Park downgraded
THE Kenyan Ministry of Wildlife and Tourism has downgraded the Amboseli National Park to National reserve status. This means that the Kenya Wildlife Service, which manages the country’s national parks, will no longer run the park. The local community will assume control of the park and its resources.
The African Wildlife Foundation believes this will have a negative impact on Amboseli’s ecosystem and other national parks. “A downgraded Amboseli will lead to a degraded ecosystem which endangers both wildlife and human livelihoods living here,” said the AWF in a statement.
The move follows not long after the Kenya Wildlife Service announced a multi-million rand plan to upgrade its national parks, including Amboseli.
Bird Flu: the next global scourge?
The Africa Committee are concerned this may start a targeted extermination of some of our migratory birds. We need to develop a position on this.
None of the committee have time to devote to it at the moment, is there anyone amongst our readers that would be able to develop position paper for the GRAA?
Bird Flu: the next global scourge?
Weekly Comment by Dr Cees Bruggemans, Chief Economist First National Bank
18 October 2005
Every winter brings flu viruses, giving bad colds but only exceptionally death.
Flu viruses originate in birds and mutate continuously. These viruses jump species, regularly infecting mammals, including humans. Usually the human immune system recognizes old visitors, but regular mutation injects new material into old viruses, which are then not immediately recognized, with the human immune system taking its time developing counter measures. With defences partially down, a mild influenza can come into being (evidence of a virus attack and immune systems fighting the virus), spreading widely through the human population (infection rates of 40-50%).
But sporadically, every generation or so (20-50 years), a strain evolves which is unique enough to give real problems to our immune systems. Not recognizing the new virus at all (in extreme cases a direct jump from birds to humans) gives the virus time and opportunity to turn virulent. What develops is a killer flu, coming in waves (episodes of a few weeks), building intensity, killing indiscriminately on an increasing scale, until the storm ends as abruptly as it started, having run out of fresh victims after some 12-18 months.
A historic pattern exists. Killer flues put in regular appearances. The year 1890 witnessed a bad one. The Spanish flu of 1918 killed an estimated 20-50 million people globally (with outside estimates of as many as 5% of the world's 2 billion population at the time).
Thus we are no strangers to killer flues, yet each generation appears surprised when its turn comes. Memories are short, though mentioning the subject prompts memories of oral histories about grandfathers and grandmothers suddenly dying, or tales told.
Modern bird flu may yet again be our nemesis shortly.
Bird flu is currently rife among wild birds of Asia. Seasonal migration has become marked by catastrophic bird deaths, and has already made its appearance in Europe. The flu's virulence is intimidating, has communicated itself to poultry and in Asia has so far caused over 60 human deaths. The virus is still imperfect enough not to infect humans rapidly and isn't yet transmitted by humans. But this virus is mutating continuously, putting the scientific community on alert that something drastic is on the loose.
Statistically, transmission from birds to humans is infrequent. But the jump has been made in recent years by this new strain known as H5N1. Further mutation could make this a human-transmitted flu.
In its wild state, this bird flu has a very high mortality rate. As the virus attempts mutating to human carrier status, it loses strength. Even approximating the Spanish flu of 1918, however, would be bad news. Some 50 to 300 million people worldwide could be at risk.
A modern complication is impaired immune systems. In 1918 there weren't many surviving cancer patients, heart patients, anyone with a long history of using antibiotics, or large pools of HIV infected people. Mortality here could be (much) higher than in the rest of the population.
Survivors from a killer flu epidemic incur natural immunity. If killer flues happen regularly, the older generation has some immunity. Mortality is then highest among children and young adults (as happened in 1918).
With the last real killer flu 87 years behind us (there were minor occurrences in 1957 and 1968), there is little natural immunity left today. All face the same risk, young and old, rich and poor, men and women.
Rich countries are expensively stockpiling vaccines. As viruses mutate every season, new vaccines are required annually. Only rich regions can afford this. Vaccine stocks are inadequate to cover a global outbreak.
Expanded global travel, greatly increased urbanization, increased urban densities and daily dependence on coming together (in the work place, shopping malls, schools, entertainment, transport) would make onward transmission easier than in 1918. Technically the World Health Organisation is also better equipped to identify and neutralise any outbreak of killer flu. With early warning and 3 million doses of vaccine stockpiled, the WHO could be successful.
The main problem remains human error (mistaken diagnosis, holding back information, not enough vaccines).
So far, this is a drill, not the real thing, but this flu's progress is being monitored carefully. For the world is overdue historically. Killer flu would have dire global implications. Families could be decimated. Businesses indiscriminately lose key personnel. Logistic paralysis could rule for months (a global 'Katrina' and 'Rita'). Overextended property markets might be abruptly checked. Stock markets would recoil from the deflationary impact. Governments would struggle with the widespread consequences.
Killer flu is a major flat-tailed risk: small probability (still), gigantic impact (were it to happen).
References:
Foreign Affairs, "The Next Pandemic?", July/August 2005
National Geographic, "The Next Killer Flu", October 2005
John Barry, "The Great Influenza - the epic story of the deadliest plague in history", Penguin Books, 2005
Financial Times, "How to nip the flu pandemic in the bud", 5 August 2005
David Brown, "Experts say world isn't ready to defend itself against flu", Wall Street Journal, 2 August 2005
The Economist, "Catching the flu", 6 August 2005
Shawn Donnan, "Fear as bird flu migrates from Russian Siberia", Financial Times, 11 August 2005
Andrew Jack, "Manufacturer calls for rapid deployment of anti-bird flu vaccine", Financial Times, 15 August 2005
Sarah Laitner, "Dutch told to keep birds indoors over fear of flu", Financial Times, 17 August 2005
Nicholas Zamiska, "Battling Avian Flu's Spread", Wall Street Journal, 8 August 2005
Sarah Laitner, "EU nations split on response to threat of bird flu", Financial Times, 23 August 2005
Guy Chazan, "Threat of Avian Flu Spreads to Europe", Wall Street Journal, 18 August 2005
George Claassen, "Trekvoëls kan dodelike voëlgriep na Suide bring", Die Burger, 24 Augustus 2005
George Parker, "Vets play down bird flu risk from wild fowl", Financial Times, 26 August 2005
Jillian Green, "Killer bird flu threat", The Star, 14 September 2005
Business Week, "Medical disaster scenario", 19 September 2005
David Rogers, "White House prepares request for Avian Flu funds", Wall Street Journal, 1 October 2005
Clive Cookson, "Killer flu of 1918 caused by bird virus", Financial Times 6 October 2005
Ian Sample, "Security fears as flu virus that killed 50 million is recreated", The Guardian, 6 October 2005
Shawn Donnan, "Virus presents doctors with nightmare scenario", 23 September 2005
Florian Gimbel,"Disease and Pestilence: Emergency plans have yet to be properly tested", Financial Times, 20 September 2005
Andrew Jack, "Fear aids Tamiflu recovery", Financial Times, 19 September 2005
Andrew Ward, "World 'unprepared' for flu pandemic", Financial Times, 19 September 2005
This is but a sample of articles of the past two months. The paper trail goes back three years.
Cees Bruggemans is Chief Economist of First National Bank. Register for his free e-mail articles on www.fnb.co.za/economics.
Call for Applications: 2006 BP Conservation Programme Awards
FUNDING AVAILABLE WITH TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
DEADLINE – 16th DECEMBER 2006
E-mail applications and enquiries to: bp-conservation-programme@birdlife.org.uk; for more information about the programme, visit: http://conservation.bp.com.
The aim of BP Conservation Programme Awards is to contribute to long-term environmental conservation and sustainable development in priority areas by encouraging and engaging potential leaders in biodiversity conservation, and providing opportunities for them to gain practical skills and experience.
This initiative, organised by BirdLife International, Conservation International, Fauna & Flora International, the Wildlife Conservation Society and BP, has been helping young conservationists across the world to achieve their goals for the past 15 years. The Programme currently works towards its aims by offering advice, training and awards, primarily targeting university students.
This year we have a new application procedure, as well as new criteria. The Programme has been working to develop an even stronger programme to align with our goal to build leadership capacity for sustainable development across the world, with 2006 serving as a transition year. We are testing some new approaches and procedures in order to increase efficiency and maintain good quality support for those applying and winning awards.
Three types of awards will be offered in 2006:
• Future Conservationist Awards: Approximately 20 awards of up to $12,500 each, plus training.
• Conservation Follow-up Awards: Approximately 5 awards of up to $25,000 each, plus training. Available to previous BPCP award winners only.
• Conservation Leadership Awards: 2 awards of $50,000 each, plus training. Available to previous BPCP award winners only.
These three tiers allow progression from encouraging and supporting inexperienced teams undertaking small-scale, basic surveying and awareness-raising projects, to the stage where teams are engaging in more complex decision-making, and developing stronger communication and leadership skills.
The application deadline is 16th December 2005 for ALL applications, and awards will be announced mid-March 2006. All details, including new guidelines and application forms, are now available on the BPCP website!
All teams submitting an application receive feedback on their proposal and advice on other sources of funding regardless of whether or not they are granted an award. The sooner applications are received prior to the December 16th deadline, the more opportunity we have to review these initial proposals and get them back to applicants with feedback, allowing time for improvement before they submit a final proposal.
For Future Conservationist Awards, applicants must fulfill the following eligibility criteria (further criteria are included in the guidelines, which can be downloaded from the website):
Please consider whether you have any ideas for projects you think would be eligible and could benefit your scope of activities. Feel free to contact us for advice or with questions: bp-conservation-programme@birdlife.org.uk. Please pass this announcement on to anyone (individuals, organisations, academic institutions) you think would be interested. We look forward to receiving all applications.
POSITION(s) AVAILABLE
Ground Hornbill Working Group Manager NPO 015502
The Endangered Wildlife Trust, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has grown over the past thirty-two years into one of the major non-governmental conservation organisations operating throughout southern Africa.
The Endangered Wildlife Trust seeks to appoint a Ground Hornbill Working Group Manager (GHWG). The successful candidate is expected to develop, guide, oversee and implement GHWG research and conservation projects producing peer-reviewed publications on GHWG projects and ensuring timely delivery of effective conservation outcomes for all projects.
The successful candidate will have a minimum of a BSc (Honours) university degree in the environmental field, or a related, relevant field and a proven track record in applied research and field work as well as in producing peer-reviewed publications. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to study further in this post. The candidate will be highly motivated, self-driven and able to work alone but be a team player and have exemplary administrative and organisational skills. The candidate will have exceptional extension skills and experience in interacting with landowners and different communities. Strong communication and negotiation abilities are required to develop and nurture effective partnerships with the private sector, conservation/environmental organisations, tertiary institutions and governmental agencies.
Strong fundraising skills/abilities are required to ensure the financial stability of the GHWG and effective administration skills to ensure the smooth running of the group.
Proficiency in the use of e-mail, computer literacy and good report writing skills are required. Knowledge of databases, Geographic Information Management Systems and the ability to speak another language will be an advantage.
The successful GHWG Manager will report to the EWT’s Conservation Manager. This post requires a reasonable amount of travel throughout South Africa.
Applicants must demonstrate a passion for conservation and the environment and an understanding of and/or willingness to work in a non-governmental organisation.
This is a contract appointment.
The remuneration package is negotiable based on experience.
The Endangered Wildlife Trust is an equal opportunity employer.
Successful applicants will be required to attend interviews in Johannesburg. The GHWG Coordinator office base is negotiable within Gauteng/Mpumalanga.
Applicants are to submit a comprehensive CV and a motivation as to how they see their role in this post.
All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Candidates who have not been contacted within 14 days of the closing date, must please assume that their applications were not successful. The EWT reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Closing date: 25 October 2005
To apply please e-mail your CV to alisond@ewt.org.za
Or post to “Administration Manager”, Private Bag X11, Parkview, 2122. Or fax to +27 (11) 486 1506
Tailpiece-
Sound familiar??
A man in a hot air balloon realised he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am".
The woman below replied,
"You're in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You're between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude."
"You must be in IT Support", said the balloonist.
"I am", replied the woman, "How did you know"?
"Well", answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technical but I've no idea what to make of your information and the fact is I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help at all. If anything, you've delayed my trip."
The woman below responded, "You must be in Management".
"I am", replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?"
"Well", said the woman, "you don't know where you are or where you're going. You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise, which you've no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's all my fault."
Matter of Fact
This is an electronic newsletter of the Game Rangers' Association of Africa. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Association, nor of the Editor. This is intended to be an exchange of news snips, ideas and communication between members. Newsletter content may be copied and re-distributed without authorisation. Correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at dyunnie@xsinet.co.za
