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Smiffie’s Stoep Skinner
by JJ
How do you rate this for community spirit?
A local trader, not long in this neck of the woods (which may explain the unfortunate attitude), says she will not be going to the BibberChill Festival. The reason? Last year was such a disappointment. And, the entry fee is too high. See page 2 for what the fee covers.
We all know that last year’s Festival was disappointing but if you go through life believing that one setback points the way to the future how do you ever believe there is a future in anything?
Of course, she’s not alone in this attitude of indifference towards supporting local activities: Smithfielders are notorious for this attitude, which is why we don’t achieve as much as many other small towns do.
No doubt this is one business that will do the decent thing and not open it’s doors on Saturday, 24 May so as not to benefit from any potential customers who may descend on Smithfield for the occasion.
Yes, Zastron Does Have A Number
“Mohokare Municipality has no telephone number; the numbers listed have been discontinued”. This is the response Carmel had to her 1023 inquiry.
Sounds a bit odd, doesn’t it, for a working organisation to refrain from contact with the outside world.
In fact, somebody at Telkom or at the Municipality seems to have boobed because Smiffie made contact with a perfectly charming telephonist in Zastron on 051 673 2033, who told us of a second number – 051 673 9600 - through which we could reach the municipal headquarters.
So, dear readers, there you have it: another Smiffie service to ensure that you can at all times, whenever the spirit moves you, make contact with all those lovely people who look after us so well.
Motorfietsry – die nuutste gier
Byna elke naweek sien ons motorfietse wat deur die dorp ry. Dit wil voorkom asof daar ook al hoe meer byeenkomste vir motorfietsryers is.
Smiffie het gaan kers opsteek by ‘n paar van die ouens om uit te vind wat aan gaan. Volgens hulle ís daar deesdae al hoe meer motorfietsryers. Hulle beweer dat die prys van vierwielaangedrewe voertuie asook stygende petrol kostes motorfietse meer aantreklik maak. Dit is ook nou mode om ‘n motorfiets te ry en, voornemende ryers wat nog nie seker is of hulle ‘n motorfiets wil aanskaf nie, kan selfs ‘n Harley vir die naweek huur om dit uit te toets.
Die meeste van dié ouens voldoen glad nie aan die ou prentjie van ‘n motorfietsryer wat ‘n bietjie wild en waaghalsig was nie. Hulle is meestal professionele mans en vrouens en is trots op hulle ysterperde. Hulle sal nie meer as een of twee drankies op ‘n aand geniet nie want hulle moet by hulle volle positiewe wees as hulle die volgende dag op hulle motorfietse klim. Maar, al is jy ‘n nugtere professionele man, is dit tog te lekker om so ‘n bietjie met die fiets se uitlaatstelsel te peuter sodat dit kan brrrrul!
Op die foto is Nic en Francois met hulle KTM motorfietse. Hierdie motorfietse is geskik vir “off-road” asook gewone “on-road” ritte en het vir die afgelope 10 jaar die Dakar Rally gewen.
Discussion
4 comments for “Smiffie’s Stoep Skinner”
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Dear JJ,
I object to this kind of comment in this local newspaper, and find it a misuse of the powers of the people who have the opportunity to write what they want to in a public platform of this kind.
The comments about a local female trader who is relatively new in Smithfield (who I, as a local, can only find one ‘unfortunate’ who fits the role)are nasty and leave me feeling bad. It also makes me wonder if anything I do or say which is not in line with the prescribed “spirit” of the newspaper will also land up in a public, printed sort of character flogging?
There are many other ways to make strong opinions in the printed press, which would get the same point across, without belittling another local who doesnt have such a public platform from which to speak. It unfortunately smacks of more “gossip” and does not encourage support for the ‘Bibberfees’, or the ‘Smiffie’. It alienates people even more. I also think that in such a small town with so many diverse kinds of people now living here, we should do our best to behave “inclusively” rather than “exclusively”. I mean this to include ALL Smithfielders, from all race groups, cultures and economic standing. Ultimately this would benifit the Bibberfees much more than one trader’s support.
Sincerely,
Kitty Schneider
I take great umbrage to your “community spirit” article. We all know these comments were aimed at me but now you are denying it was me. Pray tell who else the poor unfortunate soul could be? I do not know of another female “local trader” who fits the description as described by yourself. Perhaps you should think before you write these nasty little comments and take a long, hard look at yourself. You are abusing the power of the Smiffie by using it as a personal tool for your public sloggings.
Furthermore, please do not dictate what I should or shouldn’t do with my business and I do not appreciate your statement that I have an attitude of indifference towards supporting local activities. I support whatever wherever and when I can.
I think nasty comments made publicly and privately are far more damaging to the progress of a town than an “attitude of indifference”. Smithfield is rampant with jealous and petty grievances, perhaps when Smithfielders sort that out we will all realise the potential of this town and everyone will benefit.
Karin Torode
I love the community spirit in Smithfield. But it has it’s downside. If you are not in, you are out. We now have a mix of original Smithfielder Boers, import from Joburg who come for a different lifestyle, Gauteng import that come for a holiday home to spend some quite time, some crazy artists and other creative people, a fresh batch of gay people, SA english language import, hardworking SA Muslims, a Nigerian here and a Chinese there and yes, even some weird Dutch from Mozambique. O yes, let’s no forget about the 80% Sothos who live in the “other” Smithfield. What I mean is: let’s try to get along and support each other, it is all we have and the only way Smithfield can have a bright future. Be and let be. If you forgive me for being weird and complicated and different I’ll forgive you :)
I still like Smithfield a plenty: because of this great mix. Let’s be a small town with a big town mentality.
“Live and let live.” That’s my motto. “Live and let live.” Anyone who can’t go along with that, take him outside and shoot the motherfucker. It’s a simple philosophy, but it’s always worked in our family. (George Carlin 1937 -2008)