The Old and the New

 
The 2010 Soccer World Cup is soon to be reality. (I remember when it was announced that SA had been awarded the cup. Quite a few guys contacted me with a "see you here in 2010". Now they've all left... And I might be going back - for a visit at least.)

I'm filled with some kind of nostalgia, I have to admit. I remember vividly the final of the '95 Rugby World Cup. Driving through the streets and having to stop for all the people cheering, dancing and laughing. I don't expect the same thing this time. It's not supposed to be the same, I know.

So, if you'd like, take a moment and reflect on these two videos. One - the new soccer world cup anthem - and the other - a clip from the 1995 world cup with P.J. Powers. I'm guessing if you're over 30 years of age, South African, and you know the smell of dubbin on a leather rugby ball - then the second video will give you goosebumps.
 

 

The Beach Boys?

 
Well, everyone has to make a buck. And in these economically challenging times, a few are forced to turn to the "oldest profession". Unfortunately, the authorities do not always take kindly to this kind of thing and so we have the following article from Bali in the Taipei Times:

 Beach boys’ rounded up in Bali after gigolo film

Indonesia has detained 28 “beach boys” accused of selling sex to female tourists on Bali after a documentary on the resort’s “gigolos” hit the Internet, an official said yesterday.

The "Kuta Cowboys" have always been part of the Bali scene. They were already around in '98 when the wife and I were there.So this overreaction is as a result of a documentary.

They’re young, fit-looking and tanned, mostly surfer beach boys,” said I Gusti Ngurah Tresna, the chief of security on Bali’s main Kuta beach.

Next challenge - who are they? Apparently anybody with a gym membership and a tanning lamp could be on the list.

“They will approach foreign female tourists, especially Japanese, on the beach, befriend them and the women will pay for their company and food during their stay here. Sex may be involved,” he said.

Okay, that explains why I wasn't approached. I'm not Japanese.

“All this while we’ve been selling our beautiful waves, sunsets, turtles, culture and nature conservation, and suddenly now we’re seen to be selling gigolos? Such films are really harmful to our image,” he (the security chief) said.

The irony is that this is the same place where the 2002 and 2005 bombings occurred. Surely there are more pressing concerns for the security chief? You've got to know - somewhere behind this there is a confused politician.

Of course, in South Africa we have no gigolos...

 

 

Julius (Not the Roman)

 
Julius Malema: The man who turns expats into exiles ...

The Cape of Storms

 
Three weeks ago I actually got out my Stormers shirt and went and ran in it. I never thought that would happen. But after today's game I think I can also post this...






















Enough said!
 

Sgt. Q.G.M. Smythe - S.A. Victoria Cross Holder

 
In June of 1942, Sgt. Smythe - of the 1st SA Infantry Division - was involved in action in Libya for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. The citation for his medal reads as follows:

War Office, 11th September, 1942 The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to:
No. 4458 Sergeant Quentin George Murray Smythe, South African Forces.

For conspicuous gallantry in action in the Alem Hamza area on the 5th June, 1942.

During the attack on an enemy strong point in which his officer was severely wounded; Sergeant Smythe took command of the platoon although suffering from a shrapnel wound in the forehead. The strong point having been overrun, our troops came under enfilade fire from an enemy machine-gun nest. Realising the threat to his position, Sergeant Smythe himself stalked and destroyed the nest with hand grenades, capturing, the crew. Though weak from loss of blood, he continued to lead the advance, and on encountering an anti-tank gun position again attacked it single-handed and captured the crew. He was directly responsible for killing several of the enemy, shooting some and bayonetting another as they withdrew. After consolidation he received orders for a withdrawal, which he successfully executed, defeating skilfully an enemy attempt at encirclement.Throughout the engagement Sergeant Smythe displayed remarkable disregard for danger, and his leadership and courage were an inspiration to his men.

Smythe, who eventually rose to the rank of Captain,  hailed from Natal and passed away in Durban in 1997.

Below is a graphic depiction of Smythe's actions from the British National Archives. 

District 419

 

 

Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor - SA Victoria Cross Holder

 
Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1918. He was a South African from Mossel Bay.

This is from Wikipedia:

He was attending the University of Cape Town studying engineering when the European war broke out. He took leave from his studies to join the Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles. He served as a signalman in the German South-West Africa campaign. In August 1915 he was demobilized with an honorable discharge. He promptly went to work with the South African Field Telegraph and re-enrolled in university. He managed to complete his third year of college before re-enlisting, this time into the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), in March 1917.

This is beautiful:

Beauchamp-Proctor's piloting skills can be judged by the fact he had three landing accidents before he ever shot down an enemy plane.

Apparently he was a poor pilot - and struggled because he was too short to use the airplane's rudders - but he was a deadly shot. This is his VC citation:

"Between August 8, 1918, and October 8, 1918, this officer proved himself victor in twenty-six decisive combats, destroying twelve enemy kite balloons, ten enemy aircraft, and driving down four other enemy aircraft completely out of control. Between October 1, 1918, and October 5, 1918, he destroyed two enemy scouts, burnt three enemy kite balloons, and drove down one enemy scout completely out of control. On October 1, 1918, in a general engagement with about twenty-eight machines, he crashed one Fokker biplane near Fontaine and a second near Ramicourt; on October 2 he burnt a hostile balloon near Selvjgny; on October 3 he drove down, completely out of control, an enemy scout near Mont d'Origny, and burnt a hostile balloon; on October 5, the third hostile balloon near Bohain. On October 8, 1918, while flying home at a low altitude, after destroying an enemy two-seater near Maretz, he was painfully wounded in the arm by machine-gun fire, but, continuing, he landed safely at his-aerodrome, and after making his report was admitted to hospital. In all he has proved himself conqueror over fifty-four foes, destroying twenty-two enemy machines, sixteen enemy kite balloons, and driving down sixteen enemy aircraft completely out of control. Captain Beauchamp-Proctor's work in attacking enemy troops on the ground and in reconnaissance during the withdrawal following on the Battle of St. Quentin from March 21, 1918, and during the victorious advance of our Armies commencing on August 8, has been almost unsurpassed in its Brilliancy, and. as such has made an impression on those serving in his squadron and those around him that will not be easily forgotten. Capt. Beauchamp-Proctor was awarded Military Cross on 22 June 1918; D.F. Cross on 2 July 1918; Bar to M.C. on 16 September 1918; and Distinguished Service Order on 2 November 1918."
VC citation, Supplement to the London Gazette, 30 November 1918

Sadly he was killed in 1921.

Beauchamp-Proctor was killed on the 21 June 1921 in a training accident flying a Sopwith Snipe, in preparation for an air show at the RAF Hendon. His aircraft went into a vicious spin after performing a slow loop, and he was killed in the ensuing crash. At least one observer remarked that the loss of control and subsequent crash of the aircraft could have been linked to Proctor's diminutive size.

It seems this was a remarkable man. These South Africans have been lost in history.