Thompsons Africa

Springbok Atlas Charter Division CEO, Mr. Craig Drysdale, has resigned and will be the new General Manager of Global Sales for Thompsons Africa as from January 2013.

Craig has been the driving force behind the very successful Springbok Atlas Charter company for the past 3 years as CEO, and his knowledge of tourism will be surely missed by Springbok Atlas.

Thompsons Africa has gained a valuable person with tourism knowledge and believe that Craig will be a great asset to them.

On This Day

On This Day - 1942 - Hitler orders the Afrika Korps to fight until the last man.

SAP Durban Dog Unit

In 1962 the South African Police Dog unit was established in Durban.

This year we celebrate it's 50 years of existence with a gala function held tonight.

Many of it's members have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The first being Sergeant Chart Rickard who, together with is dog died from a land mine explosion in 1969 in the Caprivi Strip, northern border of South West Africa (now Namibia) whilst fighting insurgents from Angola, associated with the armed wing of the ANC (MK).

The Durban dog unit was first stationed at Cato Manor till the early 1980's and was moved to it's current location at the Durban Head Quarters in Stanger Street, Durban.

I was fortunate to join this prestiges unit in 1974, who was commanded by Capt Hennie Meyer, later retired as a General.

The history and successes of this unit cannot all be mentioned as there is not enough time and space to mention all. It is a unit that it's members are very proud of and regard each present and past member as a family for the purpose of fighting crime.

From a personal point, it was the members of this unit who nicknamed me as "The Flying Dutchman" and has since kept this AKA till now.

Tonight we will all gather together in prayer by it's past and present members giving thanks to our Lord, Jesus Christ for His protecting hand over this unit.

Me bottom right

Our Reunion on 17th November 2012

Culture Difference

Here is the difference between a South African street vendor and a German street vendor.

South Africa

Germany

Is South Africa Sitting on a Time Bomb ?

Is South Africa sitting on a Time Bomb ?

Question I asked myself and I'm sure many have done the same.

In my opinion, there are so many factors that will lead to an unstable South Africa and one needs to be vigilant and take note of similar happenings around the world in the past.

Why were there uprisings in other African countries ? Look what happened in Libya, Egypt, Rwanda, DRC, Ghana, and many more. Look at the current state of Syria !

All because of governments that support or in the process of dictatorships. In my opinion, the current South African Government is showing signs of the same mentality and if the situation is not changed, the people will rise up and civil war and mayhem will be the order of the day.

Look at the signs - The Marikana, strikes at our gold, platinum and coal mines, transport and many others. The people have no respect for the rule of law. Theft and corruption is in the order of the day in government departments, "jobs for pals" even if the person is not qualified, a taxi industry that is completely uncontrollable, fraud in all forms in government, tender processes (mostly given to those connected with the ANC. There are many more evidence to mention all.

We have a government that is riddled with communist. Will they change their views on communism ? The answer is NO otherwise they will distance themselves from any communist movements such as the SACP. What is the definition of communism ? " A theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labour for the common advantage of all members."

Does this not look and sound familiar to the happenings in South Africa ?

What can be done ? - The only solution in my opinion is for the Government to change it's views and start serving ALL the people of the country and work for the people and not for the enrichments of themselves. - Let all it's citizens feel part to build a new South Africa, black and white all working for a common cause for the future of our children and their children. - If the situation does not change soon, we as South African citizens needs to change the government. I think it's also time for the world to take note of the situation and start subtle embargoes on South Africa to let the current ANC let Government know how they feel. Unfortunately, you have countries like China, India and Brazil who support South Africa with their communist- and anti-white methodology.

The current education system has failed in South Africa. Who is the Minister of Education ? Mr. Blade Nzimande (SACP and communist member). There are no or little order in our schools, kids bring weapons and drugs to schools. Where are the teachers ? They are too scared to act against the children in fear of their own lives. What type of system is that ? The children of today will be our leaders of tomorrow. Is that how we see the South Africa of the future ?

Please Mr. President, we as South african citizens beg of you, even if it will cost your you favoritism amongst the ANC members, be a man of Values and Integrity and lets build on a South Africa that ALL it's citizens can be proud of.

South Africa vs Germany

As my viewers will notice, I am a WW2 history fanatic and therefor my "On This Day" daily post what happened during that time.

It may anger the German people because of what took place during WW2, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, and that is a part of history that they would rather forget.

As a South African, being part of the "Appartheid" era, it's not something that we can wish away as the same for the German people.

I visited Germany during September 2011 and experienced for myself the new Germany and was so amazed with the country, its people and general way of living. I witnessed honesty amongst the people and the manner that the country is being managed by the government.

Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for my country after we in South Africa became a democracy. We, as Germany, have a beautiful country with the best weather in the world, wildlife in abundance, diverse cultures, and many more.

Here is the difference - In Germany, after WW2, the government of the day up to now have rebuilt the country for it's people and all that live in it, Germans, Jews etc. All with the hope and vision of a better Germany irrespective of race and origin.

In South Africa, after the newly elected ANC government took control, all we have noticed for the past 18 years, that a reverse form of "Appartheid" whereby white people (now the minority) is being marginalized and treated in a manner that they (white population) is looking to immigrate to other countries such as UK, Australia and New Zealand.

It is well documented how the current ANC government, is looting the country's people tax money and an example being a palace for the President Jacob Zuma being built at a cost of R 240 million rand, whilst his neighbour is living in a house made of mud and wood.

Everyday you will read in our media about corruption in government departments and I don't even want to think about the total money lost and stolen from the people of South Africa for the past 18 years.

Braking News - Tourism (South Africa)

Braking Tourist News

Springbok Atlas Charter is proud to announce that it has been voted onto in Lisbon, Portugal (as South Africa's exclusive representative) the prestigious International Global Passenger Network (GPN). GPN's objective is to be the leading international organization in the field of surface passenger transportation, assuring it's clients elevated benchmarks of safety, quality and service in all it's member countries around the world. Through it's high standards, GPN strives to promote the motor coach industry as a viable and ecological alternative to private car use.

The CEO of Springbok Atlas Charter (South Africa) Mr. Craig Drysdale being the representative at the function in Lisbon.

Associated links : www.gpn.travel and www.springbokatlas.co.za

Blogging

I have only been blogging for a short while and loving it.

Thus far in the short period my stats indicate that close to a 1000 people visited my blog from South Africa, USA, Russia, Germany, UK, France, etc.

What will be interesting is who you are. Would you please give your first name and city where you from. It will really be an interesting fact. It will also give me the opportunity to look at your blog.

Many thanks

Flying Dutchman (South Africa)

Eastern Cape Tourism

Judging from all the flood damage in the Eastern Cape area, specially East London to Port Elizabeth route via the N2 and R72, I foresee that some serious adjustments to be done for the anticipated tourist figures for the December 2012 festive season.

According to media reports, the N2 will only be open early in 2013, leaving the R72 the alternative option. The R72 is also now closed but believe it should be re-opened soon and will therefor have to accommodate very heavy traffic flow and possible delays.

I will recommend that anticipated "Income" figures of local business to be adjusted downwards and anticipated "Expenditure" figures for the municipalities affected to be vastly increased.

I am amazed that these municipalities have not called on the central government to declare these flooded affected areas a "Disaster areas" !

The Eastern Cape area is very dear to me and is considered as one of the poorest provinces in South Africa.

I call on the powers to be for a major wake-up call and forget about your own pockets and try and help the community, specially those who have been hard-hit.

The local radio station, Algoa FM, has made at least some attempt to call for extra clothing, blankets etc but much more is needed to help the community and the area as a whole.

It is my opinion that international tourist, visiting the area, will not be in jeopardy as they normally travel by air.

My concern is the traveling by road tourist that may change plans as a result of this disaster. The Eastern Cape as a whole can ill-afford any anticipated loss in revenue from any source as it rely heavily on tourism.

US Election Cost

Portion of an article by Gareth Edmundson wrote :

I quote" - $ 7 billion - that's how much the 2012 US election campaign will have cost after all the ballots have been cast. In 2010, UK election spending was $ 48 million. Even if the UK was the same size as America, spending to get candidates elected in the US would still be 30 times that of the UK.

Still shocked ? Facebook revenue in 2011 was a mere $ 3,7 billion, or if you want to talk countries, $ 7 billion is roughly the entire GDP of `zimbabwe. Yes America will likely spend more on campaign posters, badges and attack ads in 2012 than the entire GDP of Zimbabwe.

Ok, so $ 7 billion is a lot but there still many in US that argue that if you curtail spending you are only preventing free speech - which is not exactly "Bill-of-rights" tactics. They also claim that in countries like the UK, elections ate not as democratic because without spending on adverts people don't get to know all the facts to make an informed choice. - "un-quote"

Why do the US media only show the debates of the two main parties on television ? Are there no other parties representing the voters of the US ?

Saw to my amazement that a party called "The Green Party" whether I agree with their principals or not, is not given a platform on the media floor, in fact they are even forbidden to attend the live debates between the Republicans and Democrats.

I am nieve as to the political systems in the US but if they want the world to believe that their constitution is "water-proof" I think that the US must take example of the current constitution of South Africa.

We have free speech and can even post paintings like the infamous "Spear" painting that, although many would say was in bad taste, was still displayed in a gallery for the world to see.

For those who have not heard of the "Spear" painting, it was a painting of our current president Jacob Zuma with his genital parts being exposed.

I am sure that the US can do more for it's own people and for those they wish to help financially, than to spend $ 7 billion on election campaigns.

Associated link - Zuma’s ‘Spear’ Makes A Comeback