KWAZULU-NATAL BRANCH

Newsletter No. 562
November 2025

NEWSLETTER

1. October Meeting (Summary by Charles Whiteing)
The meeting was chaired by Charles Whiteing as Chairman Phil Everitt is still in the UK on family business. Together with his absense, other absent committee members included Donald Davies, Matthew Everitt and Dr Graeme Fuller who is in recovery with his medical condition. It was good to see Ulrich Deubi at the meeting after his bout of hospitalisation for various conditions. He assisted me at the reception desk and thanks to George Oliver for his technical expertise in setting up that aspect of the meeting.

The guest speaker was attorney and researcher David Hulme, who gave an in depth talk on the South African Border War of 1966-1989. He highlighted the overall secrecy of the campaign which was to a great extent only privy to those directly involved. As the larger South African community were largely unaware of most of its conduct and purpose, his talk exposed these many aspects. His talk was well supported with excellent Power Point illustrations which added a visual component to the weaponry used in the significant events.

Being a detailed talk, David was allocated the entire time allocated to the meeting; with an interval to conduct the Raffle and partake of refreshments from the Fathers Alms. Total attendance was 24 which included a number of David`s legal fraternity. I was asked by one of the visitors Irena Abbot to please mail her an advisory of the next meeting as she and her husband Kevin based their attendance today on the fact that our meetings are held on the second Saturday of the month. This highlights the importance of the recording of legible details on the attendance register, and including all with details of the forthcoming meeting.

Charles closed the meeting by thanking David for his illuminating talk and giving details of the November meeting including the DDH talk by Phil Everitt & Graeme Fuller (to be confirmed) on a talk on the Cenotaph in France and the Main talk by Maj. Peter Williams on a topic T.B.A.

2.Forthcoming Events

i)St Cyprian's Remembrance Sunday service is on the 9th November, at 9am with piper Stacey Burness and trumpeter Yosuke Matsui. The MOTHS will have hamburgers and borewors(sic) rolls on sale after the service. The Vicar's Alms will be open. If anyone would like to lay a wreath during the service please contact Fr Dane.

ii)Schools Remembrance Day events.
It is heartening to see this occuring at so many or our older schools. Interested old boys or others wishing to attend please contact directly.

iii)SA Legion Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph.
November is a time to honour and pay tribute to all those who paid the supreme sacrifice for their belief. SAMHS members are requested to support Poppy Day, and Remembrance Sunday parades and services at any venues (see above notices). If possible, try to remember to observe a 2-minute silence at 11am on the 11th of November, the actual time of the Armistice.

iv)Carols and Kilts

v)6th December Meeting of KZN Branch of SAMHS

As usual the December meeting will round off the year with snacks and liquid refreshments for cash and only one presentation. This will be given by the redoubtable Prof Donal McCracken who will speak, I am sure with plenty of lighthearted Irish humour, on the topic of “Threatening Letters and the Irish Land War”

That’s all for now folks, please do your best to attend on Saturday and if possible, bring a friend to boost numbers and help recruit new members!

Regards
Phil
P R Everitt, Chair KZN Branch, SAMHS,
WhatsApp only: 0844371636 (voice or chat)
Or
Charles Whiteing, Vice-Chair KZN Branch, SAMHS,
Cell/WhatsApp: 0825554639 (NB signal is often poor for voice)