TUNGA EMBROIDERY STUDIO in KwaZulu-Natal

On a recent trip to the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal I was privileged enough to visit the beautiful Tunga Needlework Studio.  This rural upliftment  programme has a humble beginning when Beulah Meintjes, owner and manager of the studio recognised the embroidery talent of a local woman. She realised that there must be more women in the vicinity with similar skills and started a small initiative to motivate and inspire them.

Today the Tunga Studio’s work is used and displayed in many corporate buildings and curio shops, locally and internationally, and is still growing from strength to strength by employing numerous women who are now able to feed their children. Please have a look at the website www.tunga.co.za to view some of their amazing handiwork.

 
Well done, Beulah, and thank you for the time you spent telling me all the stories and history of the haven you feel so passionately about. It was inspiring and refreshing to meet you and we are truly proud of being able to stock your studio’s products in our little shop at Old Joe’s Kaia!   

Love Marian.

Meet Amelia...

 

Sometimes people enter your life quietly... and for a while you don’t realise their unobtrusive presence. But as time goes by, your relationship grows and you start to understand the enormous significance of your mutual dependence, the synergy between you.

Such is the relationship I have with Amelia who works as a cook in our kitchen. She started off as a cleaner, but I soon realised that her nurturing spirit would be so appropriate and aligned with the food we prepare and serve to our guests. I started training her as an assistant – and what an assistant she has become! She observes my every move and anticipates my very thoughts. At every turn she passes what I need and when things get tough she’s the one with a level head, never looses her temper, never fails to deliver.

It is not surprising then, that when Amelia comes back to work after a well-deserving break, everyone jubilates and hugs her on arrival, myself included. It is just so comforting to have ‘Mammetjie Amelia’ back… because we all love and care for her so much.

(Here in the photo she is busy mincing green tomatoes for chutney.)

DONKEY IN A KENNEL

--> Have a laugh with me... and win by solving this riddle: -->

I am always amazed at Paul’s ability to put concepts together spontaneously and express them so beautifully. You see, Paul has an extremely high verbal-linguistic intelligence and that is often illustrated by his quick way of saying things so aptly, the latest being about the ‘donkey in a kennel’…

During dinner times we always cross-check with one another to ensure all guests are happy. Such was the case again last night when we exchanged thoughts about our very discerning Dutch visitors. I think I showed slight concern on my face when Paul said: “Ag no man, don’t worry - they’re kuiering a donkey out of a kennel!” Knowing Paul pretty well I knew exactly what he meant, but I also know how he arrived at this strange saying. I folded in half with hysterics and still cannot stop laughing!

So how did Paul get to this twisted description of our guests’ state of being? The first person that can solve this riddle by posting the answer containing the two proverbs from which this twister originated can stay at Old Joe’s Kaia with his/her partner for one night, including Dinner, Bed and Breakfast with our compliments! (terms and conditions apply).

Clue (disadvantage): you have to know the Afrikaans language fairly well.

We can’t wait to hear from you!

AND THE WINNER IS:  Erica Cosijn (from Pretoria)
Well done Erica, who figured the two proverbs Paul merged in this crooked saying:

1. "Hulle kuier 'n hond uit 'n bos uit."
2. "Talking a hind leg off a donkey" (where does that come from by the way???)

We look forward to your stay, Erica - it's always great to have you here!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! to all our friends and family – may 2012 be the best one ever!

I am always amazed at verbally linguistic people’s ability to take a seemingly generic bit of information and customise it beautifully to embody their own personalities. Below are examples of such cases from two of my friends on FB. They are both such awesome messages, despite the fact that they are so VERY DIFFERENT! Please read both, align yourself with the one that speaks to you the best… and then HAVE A GOOD ONE – CHEERS!

1.

We wish each one of our friends and loved ones a blessed and most enjoyable 2012. We pray for inner peace, significance, enough time for dedication and reflection, for discipline, hearty physical fitness and outstanding health. May we spend more time together than last year and may God bless us and grow us.

2.

I just can't resist... Happy New Year people! How about we let go of guilt & resentment, fling caring about other's opinions out the door, live like it could end tom, give abundantly of our love, time & energy, & generally have a total f**ing jol - cos if the aliens do come to get us, or it all ends we better have made 2012 worth it?!?! dontcha think!?!?!