Apart from some hectic exercising, these Smithfield members of Susan Swanepoel’s Zumba Fitness & Health Group, together with those in Rouxville, raised R1000 for the CANSA Association fund for fighting breast cancer. The event in mid-November at the Red Barn was called “Zumbathon in Pink”, and participants obviously put their best efforts into this good cause.

Mr Sefako had been a teacher at the school since 1995 and was Head Of Department for mathematics and science. Learners, coached in chess  by Mr Sefako, took part in provincial competitions. He was also the table tennis coach.

Mr Sefako is survived by his wife and three children.

In the words of Headmaster, Mr Bartman: “Mr Sefako’s results were not only excellent but also consistent”.

Boere entrepreneurs van die suid-Vrystaat het vertel van die begin en ontwikkeling van hulle boerderye. Theo Delport, van Carmel se besproeingstelsel is ook bespreek. Martiens le Roux het vertel van die dae toe Carmel ’n sendingstasie was.

By die afsluiting het die voorsitter, Johan Neethling, ’n oorsig oor die jaar se werksaam-hede gegee. Meriete sertifikate is ontvang deur: Salomien Erasmus, Trix Swanepoel, Selina Lebanya, Lenie Malherbe, en Magda van Wyk, vir dienste aan die gemeenskap. Eerbewyse is aan Harry Prinsloo vir sy voorsitterskap van die Nasionale Wolkwekers Vereniging, en aan Kathy Ward vir haar uitsonderlike prestasies met die teling en afrigting van skaaphonde, oorhandig.

I recently acquired new pieces for The African Toyshop, so for a really interesting and unique Christmas present why not pay us a visit.

BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL  many wonderful artistic creations on display at Fresh Paint Art Gallery

Ian and Di Rosie at the Smithfield Market.

Annatjie Steyn and Fred Groves share their birthday at the Steyn’s farm.

Die afsluiting van die Tuinbouklub is in Hanli Smith se pragtige tuin op die plaas gehou.

Groups at the CANSA Brunch In Smithfield

Our New Info Office
Smithfield’s Information Office has been a very valuable asset to the town in the past few years. The new office will be a further improvement in helping strangers find their way about the town and the area. Our town should benefit every time it answers an inquiry from a visitor, particularly if it does so with a knowledge of, and feeling for Smithfield. So our message to everyone in the area, give the office your full support.

Twee Bakkie Gesteel
Daar is onlangs twee bakkies by kuierplekke in die dorp gesteel. Dit is ‘n misdaad wat redelik onbekend in Smithfield is en dalk het mense ‘n bietjie agterlosig geraak, maar dié twee bakkies was gesluit en die eerste een het selfs ’n “gear lock” gehad. Een van die bakkies is naby Bethulie terug gevind, maar dit het gerol en is afgeskryf. Die SAPS het ‘n kennisgewing rondgestuur waarin mense versoek word om hulle motors te sluit as hulle parkeer en die vensters toe te maak. Hulle beveel aan dat voertuie ‘n alarmstelsel moet hê. Ons sal op ons hoede moet wees.

It Was SO Welcome
Sixteen milimeters is what we measured at Smiffie’s nerve centre last Thursday.

Couldn’t believe our eyes when the rain hit the town. In the morning we had a massive tailwind sweeping us all the way to Bloem but by the time we got home it had changed its mind and dumped what must have been the most welcome rain in months.

Our Clock-less Church Steeple

It was with something of a shock recently that one of the locals as usual checked his watch against the old church clock – to find that the tower was bare. The clock had vanished overnight – gone, it seemed, with the wind.

The cause of our church tower becoming a tower with a big, square, empty hole in it was nothing like as dramatic. True, the wind had been a bit hard on the clock face, but inside workings were showing the need for a bit of TLC.  It was for this very good reason that the maintenance men packed up the clock and took it off to the clock hospital.

We are all hoping that, on its return we will again be managing our daily routine by the regular reminder that it’s a bit later than we think.

What Now, The Museum?
The tragic death of Richard Motlingwe once again raises the question of what is to be done about the long-neglected Smithfield Museum.

Thank You
Thank you to all our colour sponsors during the year and for brightening up our Smiffie.

Dankie
Dankie aan al die borge van ons kleur-bladsye. Julle het die Smiffie deur die jaar opgehelder.

While grocery and fruit and vegetable supplies have improved, go and have a look at what the main road looks like. I wonder what tourists think of our downgraded main road with broken bridges and gutters and a permanent mess, no matter how hard Abraham Molise works at picking up rubbish.
“Plastic Bag”