Page 4 - SAFFER Magazine 01

An Introduction –Like A Voice… in the Wilderness

Mholo, Dumela, Lumela, Sawubona, Xewane, Salibonani,Hallo, Dume- Camaraderie is that vague concept – a bond shared by total strangers
la, I nhlikanhi, Sawubona, Hello, (and friends) who have covered each other’s backs – under fire!

Yes -welcome to the very first edition of a dream turned reality! I am Yes folk, people who have never donned a uniform in the defence of
blessed. As the old saying goes, one door closes and sometime, just others have difficulty understanding this concept. So… that left me,
sometimes, a massive hangar-door rolls quietly open. The door that very far from what was home, really estranged and doddering on. I’ll
rolled open for me – the controls activated by the Web Master of this tell you what… any South African who phones me knows they are
new platform – has me now doing what I have long contemplated and most likely in for an ear bending. I don’t do it on purpose… it just
long dreamed of. happens, sorry!
There you have it… ideas sparked by starvation. You know the old
So… what sparked the initial idea? Please forgive me as I go off on a bit story… when you’re hungry you get desperate… the yearning in your
of a personal ramble… I’ll keep it brief. belly or as in my case, my soul, kept getting more intense. That is when
things started happening. Early in 2019 I connected with Paul Michel,
I am a South African, that fact I’m sure you’re well aware of by now. himself a veteran. Paul was reaching out to veterans and he took some
However, we have lived in Ireland (the ROI) for just about 19 years. I of my ideas on board. However, Paul is a very busy man, so it took a
am also a veteran. I served in the SAAF for more than 16 years, I’d like bit of time for him to take over the controls of my dream’s hangar door.
to think it was with distinction. There will be many who disagree… Paul has worked tirelessly to create this platform. So, before I go any
yep, I had the odd run-in with authority. But then, I’d like to think that further…
unique individuals seem to suffer that malaise.
THANKS Paul – from the bottom of my heart!
OK… skipping quickly along… I have often used this line in chats with
others, Right… let me get to the crux of the matter – me living out my boy-
hood rock DJ fantasies… but, and this is the big but… reaching out to
You can leave your military, but your military never leaves you! others who may want to hear a familiar “Dutchman” waffle on a dark
night. That’s when I was reminded of the biblical phrase – a voice in
And, that is so true. I long for a chat or three… not really about myself the wilderness. No… you won’t only hear my voice… promise. Also,
or the bad old days… more just a chat with a familiar sounding voice you won’t only be reading my tales… and seeing my content. No… the
and someone who understands the concept of camaraderie. Ca- whole plan for the magazine is to be open to anyone’s contribution. The
ma-what you may ask? OK… here comes another definition… my way. only request we have is that it be dignified… so, NO politics or rugby!
What? No rugby? OK… only kidding!
We’ve included a broad spectrum of articles in this first edition, thanks
to the generosity of all our contributors. However, we want to build on
this format – to add value. We’re very keen on the idea of interaction…
so, for the magazine we’re looking at an old-styled “classified” page…
for the fun of it.
We’re also very keen on sharing articles from your part of the world.
Yep, I want to see where you live. I may never be able to get to your
part of the world but I can experience just a little of how your area has
impacted your life. We’ll be showing you glimpses of our world.
Just before I say cheers… poems, short stories… flash fiction, and art
contributions together with travel type photos and tales… that will all
be cool! Rugby? Cricket? Surfing… netball? Braaiing… pap envleis…
lekker sosaties? Snoek, kreef op die kole. Man, now I’m salivating!

Last but not least… there’ll be music! Rock, blues, folk… good old
South African classics and even new music. The music station is live
and interactive, as often as we can manage to fill regular timeslots. Paul
will add value – maybe a Sunday afternoon Gospel music program.
Fitting, because Faith, friends, fun and family have a way of helping us
through the dark days.

Vossie
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