What is it with government departments in South Africa? Everything takes over 3 months to get done i.e. certificates, diplomas, etc. Why? Other countries, with good systems in place take close on 10 to 14 working days. Why are we the '3 month' nation??

I wanted my N6 Diploma. The actual thing. I passed the subjects and I've been qualified for over 10 years. I passed with 3 distinctions. But still to this day - no actual document to brag with. Or proof! Last year I decided that enough was enough and that I needed this darn piece of paper. On 6 May I applied again, sent my documents. In December 2012 I had received my 3 certificates (N4, N5, N6). I then needed a letter from my employer proving that I have worked in the field in which I studied. I took them my employers letter. I was then told it was the wrong format. "So what format must it be" I asked. They then gave me a template example to follow. I took the letter back to them - the original. They sent it off on 2 March 2013. 

On 4 May I received a letter in the post with my application to say that my application for my N6 diploma had been rejected because I needed an ORIGINAL letter from my employer. BUT IT WAS!! It's not my fault my company's letterhead is black and white. They thought it was a copy and sent it back. It took them 2 months - TWO MONTHS - 60 DAYS - to receive it, deny me and send it back. I was furious to say the least. I got a guy in my company to colour our company's letterhead blue (just for this purpose) and took them the letter. It was rejected. "WHAT NOW??" I pleaded. It didn't have a company stamp on the letter. No one, up until now, had said anything about a company stamp. I then got it stamped and took it in today. 

I am one frustrated South African. Why is my country's internal systems so inefficient? Why does there seem to be a 'don't-care' attitude with most government officials??

My love affair over the festive season!

It's the 21st of December 2012. I find myself sitting under a clear summer's sky with the haze of braai smoke covering the moon from smiling through. It's my seventh and last evening in Cintsa with my Mandy, my two boys and my in-laws. The last seven days, from Saturday to Saturday, has been seven of my best days ever. I say that with all seriousness.

Just some tidbits: we had a braai five evenings in a row (a personal record), I never got sunburnt; just a bit tanned, met two old acquaintances, met a couple from Perth, caught a tiny crab and about 20 bully fish in the many rock pools along Cintsa's beach, spent about 3 hours jumping in the freezing cold ocean waves with my eldest son James, I spent about 10 hours in the swimming pool with both my boys, I ran after Michael about 100 times (okay I am exaggerating but it was plenty) down the little road towards the big gate, I put up two gazebos, I napped, I danced. It was a fantastic holiday away from home.

It goes to show that a family doesn't have to spend thousands of rands and drive 100's of km's to have a good holiday. The place we stayed in was very small. And I mean SMALL. I MEAN TINY!! I could sit on the lounge's (only) couch, open the fridge and open the front door all at the same time. Mandy and I slept in the loft, it was really funny sleeping at night while being able to touch the roof at the same time. Carrying Michael up there to put him into his cot was no joke. Why not keep the cot downstairs??? Coz there was no space!!! We tried. But as I was saying, you don't have to go far to find a good holiday spot. Cintsa accommodation costs around R600 for a decent self catering place which includes all cutlery, tv, swimming towels and braai area. But you are 1 minute from the beach, 30 seconds from a swimming pool and 1 "Hi" away from great company and surrounding neighbors. Almost everyone we bumped into, made conversation with and walked past was from Benoni, North West or Jo'burg.

I have fallen in love with Cintsa. Let me tell you why. We woke up at around 7am each morning. The boys congregated on our bed for a few minutes before we lowered to the bottom floor. The sea smelt great and the sun shine was seducing us to the beach from very early on. We put on a skottel (bacon, eggs, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and sausages) and enjoyed a good breakfast. By 9:30 I would head to the beach or the pool with James. If we went to the beach we would swim in the tidal pool for about 15 minutes (this was our warm up) before we ventured into the icy ocean to jump the waves hand in hand. Then we'd build sand castles and then hit the tidal pool again. James would run up a sand dune while I caught my breath and then we'd head back to the waves. Thereafter we'd come back to the camp and head to the pool via Michael. We'd all swim in the pool till midday and then the boys would nod off for a snooze while I read my latest cricket book by Neil Manthorpe (thanks babes for the anniversary gift. Mwah!!) Once the boys woke up we'd play a bit of cricket, kick some balls and then head back to pool or the beach. The beach from 5pm was awesome as the hot sun would disappear behind the dunes and the weather was still warm without risking the sunburn (Yay for me!!). We'd then make our way back to camp, back to pool and then home at around 6:30pm. The girls would take care of the boys and get their supper, pjs and bed ready while my dad-in-law and I would light a fire and braai (one of favourite times of the day!) We had 5 consecutive braai's. We would eat under the fading sunset and then sip some wine and chat or play 30 Seconds.

I bonded with both my boys in very intimate and long lasting ways. We laughed a lot. We played a lot. It was good fun. I love my sons and again it reminded me of how much my Heavenly Father loves me. His feelings towards me consist of outrageous love, enormous delight and crazy proud. I bring him so much joy. How do I know this? Coz that's how Michael and James make me feel.

I long to make the Cintsa trip a regular one for my family. I want to create lasting and meaningful memories here. Ones that my beautiful wife and my precious boys will treasure for all their lives. I have fallen in love with Cintsa. I suppose it's because it's a place where we can enjoy each other and experience such love between ourselves. Thank you Father for this amazing time with my family!! (BIG HUG!!!) 

My love affair with Cintsa

I find myself sitting under a clear summer's sky with the haze of braai smoke covering the moon from smiling through. It's my seventh and last evening in Cintsa with my Mandy, my two boys and my in-laws. The last seven days, from Saturday to Saturday, has been seven of my best days ever. I say that with all seriousness.

Just some tidbits: we had a braai five evenings in a row (a personal record), I never got sunburnt; just a bit tanned, met two old acquaintances, met a couple from Perth, caught a tiny crab and about 20 bully fish in the many rock pools along Cintsa's beach, spent about 3 hours jumping in the freezing cold ocean waves with my eldest son James, I spent about 10 hours in the swimming pool with both my boys, I ran after Michael about 100 times (okay I am exaggerating but it was plenty) down the little road towards the big gate, I put up two gazebos, I napped, I danced. It was a fantastic holiday away from home.

It goes to show that a family doesn't have to spend thousands of rands and drive 100's of km's to have a good holiday. The place we stayed in was very small. And I mean SMALL. I MEAN TINY!! I could sit on the lounge's (only) couch, open the fridge and open the front door all at the same time. Mandy and I slept in the loft, it was really funny sleeping at night while being able to touch the roof at the same time. Carrying Michael up there to put him into his cot was no joke. Why not keep the cot downstairs??? Coz there was no space!!! We tried. But as I was saying, you don't have to go far to find a good holiday spot. Cintsa accommodation costs around R600 for a decent self catering place which includes all cutlery, tv, swimming towels and braai area. But you are 1 minute from the beach, 30 seconds from a swimming pool and 1 "Hi" away from great company and surrounding neighbors. Almost everyone we bumped into, made conversation with and walked past was from Benoni, North West or Jo'burg.

I have fallen in love with Cintsa. Let me tell you why. We woke up at around 7am each morning. The boys congregated on our bed for a few minutes before we lowered to the bottom floor. The sea smelt great and the sun shine was seducing us to the beach from very early on. We put on a skottel (bacon, eggs, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and sausages) and enjoyed a good breakfast. By 9:30 I would head to the beach or the pool with James. If we went to the beach we would swim in the tidal pool for about 15 minutes (this was our warm up) before we ventured into the icy ocean to jump the waves hand in hand. Then we'd build sand castles and then hit the tidal pool again. James would run up a sand dune while I caught my breath and then we'd head back to the waves. Thereafter we'd come back to the camp and head to the pool via Michael. We'd all swim in the pool till midday and then the boys would nod off for a snooze while I read my latest cricket book by Neil Manthorpe (thanks babes for the anniversary gift. Mwah!!) Once the boys woke up we'd play a bit of cricket, kick some balls and then head back to pool or the beach. The beach from 5pm was awesome as the hot sun would disappear behind the dunes and the weather was still warm without risking the sunburn (Yay for me!!). We'd then make our way back to camp, back to pool and then home at around 6:30pm. The girls would take care of the boys and get their supper, pjs and bed ready while my dad-in-law and I would light a fire and braai (one of favourite times of the day!) We had 5 consecutive braai's. We would eat under the fading sunset and then sip some wine and chat or play 30 Seconds.

I bonded with both my boys in very intimate and long lasting ways. We laughed a lot. We played a lot. It was good fun. I love my sons and again it reminded me of how much my Heavenly Father loves me. His feelings towards me consist of outrageous love, enormous delight and crazy proud. I bring him so much joy. How do I know this? Coz that's how Michael and James make me feel.

I long to make the Cintsa trip a regular one for my family. I want to create lasting and meaningful memories here. Ones that my beautiful wife and my precious boys will treasure for all their lives. I have fallen in love with Cintsa. I suppose it's because it's a place where we can enjoy each other and experience such love between ourselves. Thank you Father for this amazing time with my family!! (BIG HUG!!!)