THIS It is with a heavy heart that we have worked on this edition of Talk of the Town after learning of the sudden passing of our colleague, Rob Knowles. Rob passed away quietly at home over the weekend from heart failure. His family have been notified and are planning to have a memorial service in the near future. Rob had been our colleague and friend for 11 years. I remember the first time I met Rob was when he was working for the Kowie Bugle and we both attended an annual Kowie Striders awards show at the Port Alfred River and Ski-boat Club . Shortly after Rob left the Kowie Bugle and after seeing his potential to write in a story about soup kitchen visits at the Port Alfred Landfill, I offered him a job at Talk of the Town as we had an opening. Rob, an immigrant from Liverpool who had lived in South Africa for the past 30 years (at this time), was an unusual hire as he was already over 50 and had no journalism training. But he was enthusiastic and teachable. In his previous life he was a computer engineer and also had experience building wooden houses in Port Alfred. Over the years, he has met many people, forged lasting relationships and produced work of which he could be proud. In his spare time he wrote novels, one of which has been published, titled Fractured Time. One of the memories I have of Rob imprinted in my mind early in his time at TotT is when he accompanied me with Daily Dispatch reporter Dave Macgregor to a community meeting in Kenton-on-Sea. with the former Minister of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Gugile. Nkwinti. After the meeting, when I approached Nkwinti to ask him about his family ties with some beneficiaries of a land reform project, he pushed me away and two ANC heavyweights physically removed me from the land. Kenton town hall. As Macgregor took pictures of the incident, Rob was more concerned with the violence against me and how he could defend me. We got pictures of Macgregor, but Rob was there for me. When I first heard that my mother had terminal cancer while I was sitting with her in the doctor’s office, she was calm but I cried. When I got back to TotT’s office, Rob asked me how it went. I told him and he said I should just take the rest of the day. Then the load shedding occurred as if to confirm his opinion. He invited me to come and have a beer with him at Kenny’s to reflect on life and just be. It is a precious memory. Rob was well known in the community and will always be remembered for his engaging nature, humor, love of music and the opportunity to perform in various local shows over the years, as well as sharing his anecdotes. original personal to all who have listened ear. We will miss him.

ANOTHER year has passed so it is time to wish everyone a very happy birthday especially Clive Pearson, Nelo Stötter, Sharon Dove, Ann Green, Loretta Phillips, Craig Griffiths, Stella Heunis, Catherine Bakaqana, Ann Coleman, Gordon Long, Louise Hoyle, Helen Lansdell, Tyla-Leigh Keeton, Emke Klopper, Harold Dodd, Loretta Krein, twins David and Bradley Springer, Hugh Taylor, Gordon Gill, Jenny Wallace, Kerri Katz, Wilson Makeleni, Malcolm Slater, Margaret Smith, Zoey Harris , Blake Botha, Ian Sawers, Jenny Nel, Peter Godson, Andre Crous, Denise van der Merwe, Deleste van den Meulen, Lynn Roberts, Josh Alexandre, Chan Kahn, Gary Gailey, Susan Gombert.

CONGRATULATIONS and even more success for the future, to all the businesses celebrating an anniversary, especially the Christie’s Complex on Campbell Street, The Bathurst Farmer’s Market over 22 wonderful years. At the time of going to press, and with last year’s figures in parentheses, the rand was trading at Rand 15.07 per dollar (Rand 15.56), Rand 20.39 per pound (Rand 20.64 ), with the euro at R17.44 (R18.33). Commodities such as gold were trading at $ 1,824.29 per fine ounce ($ 1,879.47) and platinum was trading at $ 1,048.00 per ounce ($ 888.01). Brent Crude is trading at $ 83.76 per barrel ($ 44.66).

WEDDING Congratulations on the anniversary and best wishes to all the couples celebrating this special occasion next week. Especially Jan and Yvette Eloff, Roly and Lorna Clayton, Mark and Suzanne Wyllie, John and Jaida Ball. Tim and Imare Patterson, John and Sharon Dailkin, Leon and Reonette Jansen van Rensburg.

THOUGHT for the week: “Success, happiness, peace of mind and fulfillment … are within the reach of all of us, without exception, who make things happen …

BETTER best regards as always,
The team.

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