Thank You for Voting in the Municipal Elections!

DA leader Mmusi Maimane writes Friday 26 August, in his Bokamoso newsletter, "A different party in a different country with a different future" (edited):

What a time to be alive! In the past three weeks, we have witnessed one of the most radical and important changes our country has seen since 1994. On 3 August 2016, voters put South Africa on a new trajectory. We reaffirmed that we work as a nation. Our democracy works, and South Africans are learning how to use it.

South Africa’s opposition parties have successfully navigated the turbulent sea of coalition negotiations and emerged with practical, workable arrangements to govern those municipalities where the majority of voters voted for change.

In coalition or alone, the DA now governs 32 councils in five provinces: Western Cape (with Beaufort West, Cape Agulhas, Cederberg, Matzikama, Oudtshoorn and Prince Albert being new), Eastern Cape (NMB and Kouga), Gauteng (Tshwane, Johannesburg, Mogale City, and Midvaal), Limpopo (Thabazimbi and Modimolle/Mookgopong), and Free State (Metsimaholo).

Most critical of all, we now govern four of SA’s eight metros. So we have the potential to improve millions of lives – not just through clean government and efficient service delivery, but by creating an attractive environment for businesses to operate in SA’s major economic hubs.

I thank every voter who voted for change and put their trust in us. Thank you for choosing hope over fear. Thank you for choosing the power of principle and performance and workable policies.

The DA will work hard to show you that we deserve your trust and can deliver on your hope. We know full well that we do not have a divine right to rule. We know we must listen, and answer, to those who put us in power. We know we must govern for every single person, not just for DA voters. We will strive to do our best at all times, for all the citizens of this country. We will strive never to take the voters for granted.

Read more here.

What is Happening at Hobart Grove in Bryanston?

Our alert Bryanston Correspondent, Jill Griffiths (the impetus behind our Hobart Grove page), writes:

"Hi Rick

"I contacted Sable who forwarded information to me re the centre. I subsequently went to Wombles Restaurant (old La Campanola) and asked them to email you. Duncan and Yvette own the restaurant. It is beautiful, Amatuli style colonial and booked up every night. They were in Parktown North.  Duncan tells me that his brother owned Red Rabbit, Nicolway (which has closed), and their other restaurant in Parkmore, Thomas Maxwell, is still going. Thomas has gone overseas.

"I also went into Perron, Mexican restaurant & spoke to Thom, emailed him so should have information back from him. Also very popular, booked up: They have taken over the il Localino, next to Junipas.

"The size of the Hobart Spar will be increased. There will be more underground parking. Trendy boutique hardware have also opened, part of the Spar Group. Thrupps have opened in the garage store with a coffee shop.

"It is very much a building site so you could at least add the two new restaurants."

Thanks, Jill!  Some of the changes are listed below.

Odd Jobs

According to radio news reports, "The number of candidates for Public Protector has been widdled down to five"...
 

New on the Block, Movers and Shakers  Back to top

• Car Service City Sandton: Moved from Sandton Court to 125, 11th Street, Parkmore (near Benmore Gardens Shopping Centre). Good to poor workshop servicing all makes of cars.
• Moto-Lube Rivonia has become Car Service City in Rivonia Area – Convenient reputable workshop servicing all makes of cars. Cnr 7th Avenue and De la Rey Road, just off Rivonia Road next to Chicken Licken.
• Wash Zone @ The Core, Ground in The Core Sunninghill – Carwash. Was listed as closed, but had changed its name.
• Kung Fu Kitchen, Shop 27, Food Court in Woodmead Retail Park and Shop 06 in Sandton Court – Chinese food and sushi bar: variety of Chinese and Japanese food.
• iFix, Shop 06, South Wing in Woodmead Retail Park and Upper Level in Morningside Shopping Centre – One-stop Apple and Samsung device repair and servicing with immediate, walk-in and walk-out service.
• Vision Works Optometrists, Shop 03, South Wing in Woodmead Retail Park – Sunglasses, prescription eyewear, contact lenses.
• Supercharged Car Wash in Woodmead Retail Park – Car wash in the car park in front of Mugg and Bean on the northern side of the centre.
• Thomas Maxwell Bistro, Parkmore near Benmore Gardens Shopping Centre – 140 11th St, Parkmore, corner Elizabeth Ave. Popular bistro with contemporary Mediterranean gastro fare amid vintage memorabilia. Newly listed existing restaurant.
• Wombles Steakhouse Restaurant & Bar Lounge, Shop C02, C: Hobart Road in Hobart Grove Centre – Amatuli style colonial, booked up every night. Expensive but reputedly worth it!
• Thrupps Convenience Store, in Hobart Grove Centre – Convenience Store serving the Total Garage forecourt, with FNB ATM.
• Perron Mexican Restaurant, Shop D03, Main Square Northwest in Hobart Grove Centre – Popular Mexican Restaurant.
• Glitta Events and Flowers, Basement in Atholl Square – Florist outside Spar.
• Frespresso Café, Ground in Atholl Square – "Where coffee meets expression". Coffee, tea, muffins, croissants, Wi-Fi.
• Bijan Hair Studio, Shop 34, Ground in Atholl Square – Ethnic and Caucasian hair, ladies and gents.
• Sorbet Dry Bar, Ground in Atholl Square – In-and-out, quick-quick hair salon.
• Rain, Shop U41, Upper Level in Morningside Shopping Centre – Handmade bath & body products and hand crafted homeware using natural ingredients with African origins.
• Nutritional Solutions Dietetic practice with registered dietitians has moved from Atholl Square to Grayston Mews, 134 Grayston Drive, Sandton.

Restaurant Reviews by Judith Back to top

***** Fego Caffé Gallo Manor, Morning Glen Shopping Centre

Here we have found the best quick lunch solution.  Innocentia remembers us!  We are now very clear on what works.  The Mezzano platter, which we share. Calamari for me plus olives and, sometimes the Rocket.  Most everything else for my partner! Appletiser for him and wine for me. Fego is child friendly, however Morning Glen is not, as it allows smoking in the underground car park next to the play area in breach of the law.

Contact Details for Fego Caffé .

***** The Baron, Woodmead, Dunwoody Centre

I forget where we were coming from, but we were hungry and chose this pub to have lunch.  What a good choice - lots of sun outside and excellent service! Chose the Brampton Rose as my wine - soft and beautifully dry.  My partner went for his usual Appletiser.  I chose the Chicken Tikka - wonderful and my partner indulged in liver and onions.  All together, a great experience.  This place has a real buzz all of the time.

Contact Details for The Baron, Woodmead.

Funny Language, English...

Notice by a pond: "Frog parking only. All others will be toad."

Buried:  Back to top

• Jimmy's Killer Grills, Shop 23 in Woodmead Retail Park – Steak, lamb, chicken, burgers, combos, drinks, desserts. Apparently killed themselves...
• Whitehouse, Shop 55 in Woodmead Retail Park – Décor and linen, Home. Had a white-out?
• The Su-Chi Palace, Shop 27 in Woodmead Retail Park – Sushi & Chinese food.
• Birthdays, Shop 03 in Woodmead Retail Park – Books, Cards & Stationery. Gifts.
• Sugar Shoe Classics, Shop 75 in Woodmead Retail Park – Hand-painted wooden furniture for kids.
• The Art Company, Shop 07 in Morning Glen Mall – Picture Framers and Art Gallery.
• La Campagnola, Shop C02 in Hobart Grove Centre – Restaurant known for its fine fare: fare thee well!.
• Il Localino Ristorante, Shop D03 in Hobart Grove Centre – "Your local Italian Restaurant".
• Misaki Japanese Cuisine, Shop 06B in Sandton Court – Restaurant opened May 2013, now closed.
• Kauai Juice, Shop 15a in The Wedge, Morningside – Vegetable- and Fruit Juice Bar, was Lower Level.
• Rage, Shop 15b in The Wedge, Morningside – Ladies' shoes, boots and clothing, was Lower Level.
• Mythos Mediterranean Cuisine in Atholl Square – Greek Restaurant. "Live Your Myth". Now part of mythology.
• SMS 2 Bet Betting Services in Atholl Square. All bets are off.
• Peter Thomas Interiors CC in Atholl Square.
• Oakley (Suite1B) in Atholl Square – Ladies' clothing and fashion.
• ZUI, Shop U16 in Morningside Shopping Centre – Ladies' clothing, was Upper Level.
• Pureberry in Morningside Shopping Centre – Lower Level Kiosk under the escalators. Frozen yoghurt, fresh juice, smoothies.

Civic News: Eskom’s two Nuclear License Applications   Back to top

OUTA, now the "Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse", would like to draw your attention to Eskom’s suspicious nuclear license applications for the sites at Thuyspunt and Duynefontyn.. The commentary period has been extended by 30 days (from 29 August) as the result of the protest campaign. The fact that a matter of national importance was suspiciously hidden in Provincial Gazettes and limited newspapers, along with an initially-illegally-shortened period for comments, suggests a deliberate avoidance of meaningful public participation –especially since this is of significant importance to the public.  Read more here.

It's Tiring to Retire

Julius says: When President Mandela retired, it was the end of an era. When President Zuma retires, it will be the end of an error.

Soweto Eat-in: a Slow Meat and Soweto Gardens Experience this Saturday 3 Sept at Noon   Back to top

Slow Food Joburg invites you to the Slow Meat experience, teaming up with the gardeners of Soweto to supply all the produce for the day: The nose-to-tail meat is Nguni Beef.  Nine Gauteng chef school teams of young trainee chefs will be cooking under the mentorship of their school leaders and the tenth team will be a group of Soweto cooks, planning to show the others who is boss!  Teams will be from the likes of HTA School of Culinary Arts, Prue Leith Chefs Academy and two entries from Capsicum Culinary Schools.

You will receive five main and one offal dish and will be asked to vote for the dish of the day.  There will be a craft market, the Seven Colours street food market, music, dance and more than 20 Soweto farmers selling their produce. This is a great opportunity to break out of our mould and experience a day of vibrant Soweto life at the Soweto Theatre. Access to the theatre is easy, taking the road past Baragwaneth and the UJ Soweto Campus and safe patrolled parking is available.  Otherwise why not take an Uber or ?  But don't miss out on this wonderful day.

Buy your tickets (R295pp) from Webticket here. A part of proceeds goes to further development of the Soweto Farming community.

Overheard at the Checkout

"Why do you carry a baseball bat in your car?"

"A friend told me that here in Joburg you like to beat the traffic lights!"