Irish South African Association Blog

A Farewell To A True Friend

2011-07-07T22:48:00.000+02:00

It has to be said that the Irish Diaspora is unique in having a close relationship with its Embassies world-wide, which is the envy of all other nations. It would be difficult to find a citizen of another country abroad, who even knew the name of their Ambassador. The Irish, on the other hand, disport themselves with their Ambassador and Embassy Staff at every possible opportunity, a happy situation which oils the wheels of Diplomatic niceties for our overseas citizens to a most satisfying degree.

As a consequence of this close relationship, The Association recently found itself bidding farewell to a true friend and, to coin a phrase, "a scholar and a gentleman", when a large number of members gathered in Mitchell's Brewery in the Waterfront, to say goodbye to Luke Feeney, the 2^nd Secretary of the Irish Embassy. Our President, Maureen Sharpe, organised an intimate and well catered affair, with suitable comestibles, and liquid that was both wet and alcoholic, to test our taste buds. A violin player of some talent was thrown in for good measure. Luke arrived politely late, and from the moment he was handed his first Guinness, joined enthusiastically in the spirit of the evening, and appeared to thoroughly relish the good fellowship and good wishes heaped upon him by a grateful membership he commented, in an impromptu speech, that dealing with the ISAA had been one of the highlights of his tour of duty, and had encompassed some four Presidents of the Association. He wished our President and the Members every success with their endeavours in the future and vowed to keep our needs very much in mind in the future. Discretion forbids any mention of when we all left. Suffice it to say we would still be there if someone hadn't dropped a hint in the small hours.

Chris Mahon, a former President, in his farewell speech to Luke, alluded to Luke's constant availability to all and sundry during his four year tenure at the Embassy.

He was a true friend and mentor, and never failed to provide his expert advice and encouragement to all who sought a hearing. He goes back to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin, and we can't help noting that this move has often led to higher things for other old friends from Pretoria. We wish no less for Luke and hope to see him back as Ambassador in the fullness of time.

Talk on Archives and Locating Documents for Research

2011-07-07T22:42:00.002+02:00

Jaco van der Merwe of the Western Cape Archives will be talking on the Archives and how to find the correct documents for your research.

This will be an extremely useful and interesting talk.

Date: Saturday 16 July 2011 Time: 14:15 for 14:30 Venue: St John’s Church Hall, Wynberg

Map on website : www.family-history.co.za

Entrance for non-members R10.00 per person including tea & biscuits. Members free.

Please feel free to bring any items of interest for our "Show & Tell" table.
A plate of eats for the tea after the meeting is always well received.

Derek Pratt is the editor of our quarterly newsletter and would appreciate contributions, however brief.
Please send to dpratt@mweb.co.za

For further information contact
David Slingsby 021- 7155104 davidslingsby@telkomsa.net or
Ann Smythe 021-7946225 annsmythe@gmail.com

Please remember that subscriptions for 2011 were due in March. Thank you to those members who have already paid.
Remember to put your name and SUBS as your reference.

Who Should Play 10?

2011-06-29T16:56:00.000+02:00

O'Gara Vs. Sexton

As the Rugby World Cup 2011 looms ever closer, rugby pundits the world over are tirelessly speculating on their country’s ‘perfect’ World Cup team. In the dream team, one position is more hotly contested and debated than any other; the decision maker, the kicker, the link between the backs and the forwards- the fly half. Now for many countries, such as favorites; New Zealand, there is an obvious solution to this dilemma- Dan Carter. However, for the majority of teams like the Bokke, England and crucially; Ireland, the answer is not so simple.

So who should take to the field in the coveted number 10 jersey for the Irish come September? There are really only two candidates; the 34 year old, experienced, reliable kicker Ronan O’Gara or the 25 year, solid yet exciting playmaker Johnny Sexton. Declan Kidney, the national Irish coach, has been struggling with this decision for quite some time, with 0’Gara starting 2 of the 2010 Six Nations games and Sexton 3.

What O’Gara brings to the game is a wealth of experience that most other coaches could only dream of. He’s plied his trade at Munster for the past decade and not coincidentally the Limerick team has dominated European rugby for just as long. He has already been to two World Cups and let’s not forgets his Grand Slam winning goal kick in Cardiff in 2003. His kicking out of hand is outstanding and he has a deep tactical understanding for the game that only comes with years of playing big matches. Surely he is the perfect number 10 to take Ireland to the top?

Not necessarily. Enter Johnny Sexton- Leinsters match winning fly half. Sexton has a great eye for the game, and his play making skills are exceptional. He is able to break the line, and has enough paces to get round his opposite man. His silky handling and running ability play into the strengths of arguably Ireland’s Best player; Brian O’Driscoll. And while O’Gara is often run over in the inside channel Sexton is a very capable defender. Some may argue that O’Gara needs to have a place in the side if only for his kicking, but Sexton is also a very competent kicker, which was instrumental in Ireland’s win over South Africa.

The last 3 World Cups have all been won by teams with an extraordinary fly half, one who was able to kick points coupled with impenetrable defense. So what do you think, who should run on the field in the number 10 jersey come the World Cup? Please leave your comments and suggestions below.

We Remember Kader Asmal

2011-06-23T14:51:00.000+02:00

The Irish Association would like to extend our condolences to all the family and friends of this extraordinary man. Activist, teacher, lawyer, professor, politician and, above all, man of principle, ANC stalwart Kader Asmal passed away on Wednesday afternoon. He will be remembered not only for the part he played in the struggle against apartheid, but for his many services to the new South Africa - as MP and Cabinet member, his unwavering commitment to non-racial, democratic principles and his courage to speak the truth.

Kader, who was inspired as a schoolboy by Walter Sisulu, moved to London after he graduated as a school teacher where he enrolled at the London School of Economics and Political Science. While in London he started the British Anti-Apartheid Movement and when he joined the Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland as a teacher of human rights, labour and international law, he started the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement. Kader qualified as a barrister in both the London and Dublin Bars and received degrees from both the London School of Economics (LL.M. (Lond.)) and Trinity College, Dublin (M.A. (Dubl.)). He was a law professor at Trinity College for 27 years, specializing in human rights, labour, and international law.

In 1990, Asmal returned to South Africa and shortly afterwards was elected to the African National Congress' National Executive Committee. In 1993, he served as a member of the negotiating team of the African National Congress at the Multiparty Negotiating Forum. In May 1994, he was elected to the National Assembly, and joined the cabinet as Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry. Asmal had a great passion for Ireland and returned frequently after moving to South Africa.

Photographs of St Patrick's Day at Pigalle's (Cape Town)

2009-04-02T05:39:00.000+02:00

If anyone has any photographs of the great St Pats evening at Pigalles please send to members@ireland.co.za - thank you

A Chairde go leir (to all Friends)

2009-04-02T04:45:00.000+02:00

A Chairde go leir (to all Friends)

The Irish South African Association exists to facilitate social contact for Irish people, people of Irish descent and anyone who has any interest whatsoever in the Irish & in Ireland. All are welcome to join the Association & to attend our many functions held throughout the year( approximately monthly from March to November). Our "Flagship Event" is of course our Annual St Patrick's Night Dinner & Dance held on Mar 17th each year.

The 2009 St Patrick's Dinner & Dance took place at the Pigalle Restaurant, Somerset Road, Cape Town. 350 people ate, drank & danced the night away in what can only be describes as truly opulent surroundings......... From start to finish the event certainly had the "Wow" Factor...... The venue itself is truly amazing & really lived up to expectation on the night. We enjoyed a wonderful display of Irish Dancing from the Dance Trax studio; a 5 Star meal by Pigalle & Music from 2 Bands - Thistle Do & Shenanigans...... everything was truly wonderful & the event was deemed a huge success by all present. Once again the event was attended by H.E. The Ambassador of Ireland, Mr Colin Wrafter & his lovely wife Aisling de Burca. The only downside to the whole evening was that the event was heavily oversubscribed & we sadly had to turn away over 50 would-be guests.

As this year’s event was deemed such a success by both our own Committee & by all our guests we have decided to return to Pigalle for our 2010 St Patrick’s Celebrations. We are delighted to tell you that only one week after our 2009 celebrations, our 2010 celebration is in the advanced planning stage. Once again we promise all our guests a “night to remember” at Pigalle. More details will be announced closer to the event as they become available - please check into www.ireland.co.za to keep up to date.

As we were so heavily oversubscribed for our 2009 Function & as we sadly had to turn away so many people, many of them our own members we have decided that tickets will go on sale earlier next year.

All ISAA Members & all 2009 guests will be notified accordingly in Mid January 2010. You will than have the opportunity to purchase your tickets before any advertisements go in the public press. Again I urge you to keep checking in to http://www.ireland.co.za/

The Committee of the Irish South African Association Association is elected annually at an Annual General Meeting held in November. The Committee then elects the office bearers (Chairperson, Vice Chairperson & Treasurer) at the first Committee Meeting following the AGM. As well as running the Association on a day to day basis the Committee also co-ordinates & runs all the functions held throughout the year.

Help from our Members is both welcome & encouraged....... after all many hands make light work. If you would like to become more involved in the work side of the Association please let us know......it is not all work by the way - we do have a lot of fun along the way & we also forge new friendships.

The Irish South African Association is fully supported by our Ambassador Mr Colin Wrafter, his charming wife Aisling de Burca & the entire Embassy staff both in Pretoria & Cape Town. We also receive positive support and encouragement from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin, Ireland. Despite their already busy lives, both the Ambassador and/or his wife do their best to attend as many of our functions as they possibly can. As Association we are very grateful for all this support. Since its inception the ISAA was based in Cape Town & all our functions took place in or around the Mother City.

As we had a number of members as well as a lot of very keen interest from the Gauteng area a Chapter of the ISAA was launched there on Nov 20th 2008. This Chapter will work in exactly the same way as the Cape Town Chapter has worked since its inception in 2001. There will be lunches, brunches, pub nights etc as well as an annual St Patrick’s Day Function. All information pertaining to all functions whether in Johannesburg or Cape Town will be posted on this website so wherever you live in South Africa, please check in regularly to http://www.ireland.co.za/ for updates. Later in 2009 we are hoping to launch a Durban Chapter of the ISAA – discussions are ongoing as I write.

Should you have any questions or queries regarding the Association please do not hesitate to contact us. You can email us or you can phone us on 021-713-0154. Please leave a message if this phone is unattended when you call and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Slan go foil,

Marguerite Winton - President - Irish South African Association