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SOMETHING IS A BUZZ OVER OUR CITY, MAKHANDA/GRAHAMSTOWN:The following article was written by a human - me. It is followe...
14/07/2025

SOMETHING IS A BUZZ OVER OUR CITY, MAKHANDA/GRAHAMSTOWN:

The following article was written by a human - me. It is followed by an AI research-related section in the post (titled: World-Class Aerobics over Makhanda).

When I heard the buzz over town last week, I did not give it much thought, annoyance-wise. Maybe because it did not annoy me. I fleetingly wondered what the airplane was doing on the northern edge of town. It sounded like a crop-spraying plane, but we all know what crops are growing that side of town. Potholes and plastics from a defunct tip, proudly produced by an incompetent Makana Municipal leaderlesship, don't need spraying!

So it was with great amusement that I noticed a few complaints filtering through on social media. It seems like some of the posts have since been removed, but I could be wrong as well. My new motto is let's debate issues (instead of let us argue about it). I was, however, grateful that an issue was made, because now I learnt something new, our little City can be proud of. Patrick Davidson, the Air Race X pilot, chose our piece of sky to come and hone his skills. He is an Eastern Cape boytjie, born and bred in Port Elizabeth, and is currently leading the race with the potential of becoming a world champion.

After the murmurs about their buzzing, Team 77 (under which flag Patrick flies) was kind enough to post their itinerary for us to be aware of which areas would be abuzz. The last flights were on Monday, 14 July 2025 at 10h00. So I did a quick detour via the airport on the way to the Makana Electricity Department.

Team 77. What a humble group of people! I was invited onto the airstrip to come and chat. They were very apologetic about inconveniencing the townsfolk. Come on, guys (and girls) ... we have a world-class performance on our doorstep. We should be embracing it.

I just want to thank Patrick Davidson, Egbert Gerryts, and the other two guys whose names elude me now, for their friendliness and hospitality. You guys rock and bring another World Trophy home to us!

The rest is written by AI. Follow the links for more in-depth information.

🚀 WORLD-CLASS AEROBATICS OVER MAKHANDA 🇿🇦
If you've heard the roar of engines or seen some jaw-dropping aerial manoeuvres above the Grahamstown Makhanda Aerodrome recently — you’re not dreaming!

Local hero Patrick Davidson and his crew, Team 77, have been training at full throttle for the AIR RACE X 2025 finals — a cutting-edge global motorsport where elite pilots fly real planes through virtual pylon racetracks, all powered by GPS, AI and AR/XR tech.

Flying at speeds of up to 400 km/h and experiencing G-forces as high as 12G, Davidson is making Makhanda proud — even posting the fastest time of the 2025 season in the qualifying rounds! 💪✈️

📺 Watch his high-speed qualifying run here:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlfCOucpz0w

📰 Get the full story, including interviews and behind-the-scenes insights:
👉 https://www.talkofthetown.co.za/2024/05/25/pilot-brings-world-class-racing-action-to-makhanda-skies_1/

🌐 More about AIR RACE X — the future of motorsport, born in Shibuya and now taking the skies worldwide:
👉 https://www.airracex.com

WHY SUPPORTING YOUR NEIGHBOUR IS IMPORTANT: Before I explain why, I am just going to put it out there. Port Alfred is a ...
13/07/2025

WHY SUPPORTING YOUR NEIGHBOUR IS IMPORTANT:

Before I explain why, I am just going to put it out there. Port Alfred is a wonderful neighbour to have. Currently, our garden is a mess, so we had no chance of winning. Should we sit and sulk? No. NO! Let us support Port Alfred to win the "Kwela Dorp van die Jaar". Voting starts today.

This is a fantastic opportunity for us to shine the national spotlight on our neighbour, and they need YOUR help to bring the title home.

Voting Details:
Voting Opens: 8pm on 13 July 2025 and closes 12pm on 18 July 2025
How to Vote: SMS PORT ALFRED to 33157
Cost per SMS: R1.50 | Vote up to 30 times per cell number!

Bonus: Submit your proof that you voted to the Port Alfred Tourism Office, and you could win a Spar Voucher! Over R12 500 in vouchers up for grabs. T&Cs apply.

WHY?
There is the well-known parable of the farmer who was renowned for growing the best corn, winning blue awards year after year. A curious reporter asked him his secret, especially since he shared his prize-winning seeds with all his neighbors!

The farmer smiled and explained, "The wind carries pollen from field to field. If my neighbors grew poor-quality corn, it would degrade my own crop. To grow the best, I must help my neighbors grow the best too!"

SO: By building your neighbours' community and environment,t you are strengthening your own. It is an inalienable truth that you shall reap what you sow.

SMS "Port Alfred" to 33157. Thank you

12/06/2025

PROBLEM SOLVER OR A PROBLEM CREATOR?

We all know what we’re facing: potholes like craters, water that doesn’t run for days, and power that often cuts out more than it stays on. Our infrastructure is cracking under the weight of years of mismanagement and corruption. But here’s the truth we can no longer ignore:

Help is not coming. WE are the help.

It is so easy to just complain and be negative. But there is another way. Below is a link to a conversation between Brent Lindeque and Robbie Brozin about the inner city revival of Johannesburg. The organization driving the change is called Jozi My Jozi.

Jozi My Jozi represents a multi-sector, citizen-driven, place-based initiative aimed at cleaning, lighting, and reclaiming Johannesburg’s inner city. It promotes civic pride, sustainable renewal, and inclusive urban activism, not waiting for government alone to fix systemic failures.

There is a lesson for us in Makhanda/ Grahamstown in here.

Fortunately, we in Makhanda/ Grahamstown have citizens who really care. There is a groundswell building that will be bringing the leeaches sucking this City dry to account. There are plenty of initiatives of various scopes and successes making a difference.

https://www.facebook.com/BrentLindeque/videos/547888971538028/

During the last weekend a unique competition took place at Leopard's Den where the Frontier Dart Association and Wild Ca...
20/11/2024

During the last weekend a unique competition took place at Leopard's Den where the Frontier Dart Association and Wild Cats Dart Club hosted the 100 001 dart tournament. This tournament involved four teams of five players and took place over a continous twenty four hour period. As far as we are aware this is the only tournament of this type in the whole of South Africa.

Unfortunately due to foreseeable technical issues the twenty four hour period arrived before the 100 001 was scored. The Springboks against England game was of course also a major factor to call an end to proceedings!

The winners were the Frontiers (scored 81 639), second Blondies (scored 76 955) and third the Wildcats (66 509).

Frontier Darts and Wildcat Dart Club would like to thank the following sponsors for generously supporting this unique tournament. In alphabetical order they are GBS, Kekkel & Kraai, Pick n Pay and Van Schaik Book Store.

SAYING GOODBYE: After 256 days it has come to say goodbye Karoo Aquaponics Merweville. Wow ... actually I wanted to say ...
25/10/2024

SAYING GOODBYE: After 256 days it has come to say goodbye Karoo Aquaponics Merweville. Wow ... actually I wanted to say WOW!!! I really feel so blessed to have been part of an amazing team that are really doing some amazing stuff.

But alas, my time has come to start a new exciting chapter in my life. It is such a pity we cannot clone ourselves to pursue two passions at the same time. So it is with a heavy heart that I have had to make this decision to leave.

For those that do not know what Karoo Aquaponics is about, check their website at https://karooaquaponics.co.za/ or their page at https://web.facebook.com/KarooAquaponicsMerweville

Karoo Aquaponics is not only about fish and plants. It is about creating hope, building a community, living in sync with nature, creating a source of sustainable food production and so much more.

I can add so much more to all my experiences and what Karoo Aquaponics Merweville entails. But ... that is a story for another time.

It's time to sit next to a fire with a good Merlot and a heart filled with gratitude.

Thank you to everyone that has touch my life during these memorable 256 days.

SUPER MOON: "The moon is a constant reminder that everything changes, even the things we think are most permanent." - Ha...
18/10/2024

SUPER MOON: "The moon is a constant reminder that everything changes, even the things we think are most permanent." - Haruki Murakami

MERWEVILLE FLY BY: Nothing like morning coffee on the "stoep" and thinking about stuff. For instance who of this lot dec...
14/10/2024

MERWEVILLE FLY BY: Nothing like morning coffee on the "stoep" and thinking about stuff. For instance who of this lot decided where they are going to spend their day today?

SWARTBERG PASS - PERSPECTIVE: About three weeks ago I had to rush to Oudtshoorn to pick up some essential goods. I trave...
27/09/2024

SWARTBERG PASS - PERSPECTIVE: About three weeks ago I had to rush to Oudtshoorn to pick up some essential goods. I travelled the usual scenic route through Meiringspoort. Once in Oudtshoorn I heard that Meiringspoort was closed due to some "industrial action". Could it have been industrial inaction?

This was a major inconvenience. In the end inconveniences are actually a blessing in disguise. This inconvenience forced me to travel over the Swartberg Pass, which in it's turn set the stage for my Sister's visit. This was where I was going to take her and friend Bernice Viljoen.

Perspective. There are so many beautiful areas around if we open our minds, open our eyes and get a little out of our comfort zone. It is important who you take with you on the journey. Just don't forget the coffee.

MOONSTRUCK: You're welcome.
18/09/2024

MOONSTRUCK: You're welcome.

KAROO MOON PHOTO A or PHOTO B: I had a fair amount of comments on photo A from a previous post of mine. I almost never e...
25/08/2024

KAROO MOON PHOTO A or PHOTO B:
I had a fair amount of comments on photo A from a previous post of mine. I almost never edit my photos (besides cropping) because I use it as a record of events and moods.

Lo and behold, Google photos was kind enough to show me an "enhanced" version of my photo. I'll be honest, photo B was what I actually saw with my human eye. So I saved it.

Now the question is ... photo A or photo B?

KAROO MOON: The daisies went to sleep and the moon rose beautifully over the hill. But the moon was not alone, it was su...
20/08/2024

KAROO MOON: The daisies went to sleep and the moon rose beautifully over the hill. But the moon was not alone, it was surrounded by stars and satellites and an occasional meteorite ... ok, a piece of falling space rock.

Beauty is all around us. We have to sometimes just stop, breathe, listen, feel and close our eyes to see better.

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