Want to know why Bloemfontein is called Rosestad?
Not hard to answer. Here’s the explanation seen in an exhibition at the Waterfront shopping centre in Bloemfontein last week: Part of an intricate carpet of roses on display Individual competitors submitted roses in different categories A stunning variety of...
Journalists’ patron flower now out in Smithfield, N6
Spot the difference: this is the first year that I’ve found the Harveya in a purple-blue colour way in Smithfield. The text books show a colour rather like a mix of these two, both of which were photographed in Smithfield this morning 21 October 2013. Johann Visser’s...
Policeman arrests granny in private vendetta: why doesn’t the court act?
A POLICE officer arrests a grandmother for fraud. But the charges are trumped up to help his pal with a paternity dispute. The woman sues for wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution and the court awards her R75 000 in damages. By his actions the police officer –...
Ingenious, terrifying scam by corrupt senior cop
OF all the wicked money-making plans I’ve ever read involving corrupt cops, Andre Boshoff’s scheme ranks up at the top. A lieutenant-colonel in the South African Police Services with 24 years service he knew how the system works and how to make it work for him. First,...
Top SA arts officials head for Smithfield, N6: Michele Constant, CEO of Basa
YOU’VE heard her voice on the radio with her special arts programme – now we’ll be hosting her in Smithfield. Michele Constant, CEO of Business Arts South Africa is headed for Smithfield this weekend to help us plot the way forward for our Platteland Preview arts...
Director of biggest fest in Africa visits Smithfield, N6
GODFATHER of our Platteland Preview arts festival, Ismail Mahomed, makes his first visit to Smithfield this weekend. Our festival is directly linked with the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown because we invite performers, on their way to Grahamstown, to stop off...
Award-winning actor back in Smithfield, N6 for the weekend: don’t miss his show!
We knew we were on to a winner when we saw David Butler as Bram Fischer: he opened the Platteland Preview festival in June with the premier of ‘Fischer’ in English and won rave reviews from local audiences, not to mention the awards he’s picked up for the show since...
Five dissents in just five months: what’s up with Willis?
WHEN government officials promise to consult over crucially important matters can they be held to their word? Or may they renege with impunity? A recent series of court cases show these questions are not as easy to answer as you might hope. In May 2012 officials from...
Iconic bird dead next to electric fence along N6, outside Smithfield
Ludwig’s Bustards are notoriously shy. And with good reason – they need every strategy possible for the species to survive. Their status has recently been upgraded from ‘Vulnerable’ to ‘Endangered’ on the Red Data List of endangered species and it’s thought that their...
Principals abandoned by officials
EVERY afternoon, when I take the dogs for a walk, we drive past a local junior school. For many months part of the grounds has been a bright green contrast to the wintry khaki-grey of the neighbouring veld. But the green isn’t healthy. It’s where sewer drains have...