4 All Old Folks around the Globe Part 7 on dates and times on the Journey of Life

I have written on Life as a Journey:

https://ikejakson.wordpress.com/2009/09/25/life-is-a-journey/

 on Cycles and Circles on time in History of our Journey:

https://ikejakson.wordpress.com/2009/04/06/cycles-andor-circles-in-the-affairs-of-nations-and-countries/

And last for today, have a final look at:

https://ikejakson.wordpress.com/2016/02/28/things-and-time-get-better-with-age/

So, really, when are we ever old enough to be classified as Old?  When our daughter was in her mid thirties she did not understand that I called that the adolescent period with Adulthood starting at 40 …

On her 39^th birthday I wrote:

https://ikejakson.wordpress.com/2013/05/30/a-look-at-age-39-on-the-journey-of-life/

…. and I left it at that but on her 40^th birthday I wrote her:

https://ikejakson.wordpress.com/2014/05/30/40-today/

to welcome her to adulthood to which she replied [and her reply told me she had made it and was quite safe then] well, she replied with a “it feels good this side of 40” and peaked early in life after that so that she is now strong, independent, self-reliant, and beautiful at 44.  She is a brick in the BHS though that has virtually collapsed in recent years and, I am sure of it, she will be one of the few that can really help to pull it out of the doldrums.

So, when are we going to be old then, some will ask.  My advice is that you get through your golden years from 50 to 60; at that point you are young and beautiful and all you need is to mature gracefully.

So we come to the end of the line … and I will close this off with that; with just more than two months to get to 78 I look around me and see older folks of 85 and some close to 90 but most of my compatriots have gone ahead and I know of not one who tried to resist their time and neither will I when mine comes around.

I have lived and loved it; most were days of joy but some were sorrows though very few of the latter.

Go well, my friends.

Ike Jakson

In Americus GA saka Americoon

My Brother Dirk saaka Oom Dirkie or just plain Oom Dirk

He was a man in ten millions of people.

I miss him something awful; our lives changed the day he crossed the river in August of 1909; these past nine years have been lonely without him.  Today he would have been 80 and at 78 to be soon I couldn’t fill his shoes.  He walked tall, talked little and while we never had a Patriarch in the Clan after our maternal Grandpaw crossed over at age 88 in the year of 1965, he, Brother Dirk, filled that vacant space to become the undisputed leader of the Clan when he was barely 30 years old.

Few dared to speak out of place while he lived; he wouldn’t hurt a fly but he also did not take kindly to bad manners or small minds.

He had a presence wherever he went.

We still miss you my Brother and we are all in touch with you today; you will live forever in our hearts and minds.

Here is our picture a few months before the day our lives changed.  You can guess who I am and who he was.  The third one is Boetie and his wife; she was my Sil, really my sister in fact since he joined Brother Dirkie in 2010.

[Subsequent insert:  Sorry to my readers, but I could not get the picture in here.  My system is frothing with hackers, but the funny part is that they think that they are scaring me.  Watch this space; right now I hope they will take the bait.  I know who they are and I shall handle them the way they deserve; don’t you now worry about me; this ole guy is no fool].  And I found the picture!

I have things to do, you two; you are part of it.  I must finish some matters but look forward to seeing you and Mom and Dad when I have served out all my duties.

You lived for duty, beloved Brother.  I can never match you in that but I am doing my best.

Ike Jakson

In Americus GA saka Americoon

Evolution and Demise of the Manifest Destiny of Mankind Part Two

You have read Part One I assume; if not you have to read it here first.  It will enable you to find the analogy.

Part Two that you are now reading is not the oft mentioned “missing link” in the silly story of Evolution.  It is the natural result that will inevitably follow unless Mankind can sort his life out and get back to sanity before he destroys his last chance to survive as Specie.

To understand the risk we have to consider the natural development of Nature and the other Species.

The Earth is all we have and Nature has found a way to cope with Change and the greed of Man.  You see it in weather patterns or climate change as we started calling it recently when we had to admit that the “hole in the ozone” scare was a lot of bunkum.  Climate change is as permanent as the earth and will continue to adjust as we try harder to destroy it all in the pursuit of what has come to be called wealth but it will accelerate to cope with our excesses.

Our rivers, the seas and oceans have adapted but we have not.  I have a notion that Nature will care about some of that soon with a few of these luxury new floating hotels that are now entering the oceans, simply by sinking them like Titanic’s in a row one after the other, and I won’t shed one tear.  The oceans are for fish and the creatures of the seas and are not the domain of Mankind; we have to cease that abuse.  They will revolt if we don’t voluntarily leave them to do what only they can do best.

Mankind manifest Destiny was first mentioned by some mad American [go read it up] as the destiny of America to rule from the Atlantic to the Pacific; so the madness to grab came about.  Then they didn’t know what to do with it and greed took control.

Will a massive War provide the answer, or will starvation of the poor do it?  I don’t know how we can avoid either but therein is no answer.

I am sure Nature will do it.  There is nothing in Space; any oxygen or hydrogen; so that is no answer either.  Yes, I have heard that some lunatics are talking about a huge pipeline to deliver rivers of fresh clean water from Planet Mars to Planet Earth but that is just another warped mind for the fools that will pay for it.

Wait for Part 3.

Ike Jakson

In Americus GA saka Americoon

 

Why and who is closing SASSA Bank in SA?

A letter circulated by Piketberg Municipality just before this weekend informed the poor that SASSA Bank is about to be closed.  I can only suppose it has happened elsewhere too because Municipal Authorities are responsible for the identification of and records of recipients of grants

It is with a little wry humor that I noted the date on the letter was 7^th December 2017 but only reached our town on Friday 26^th January to inform SASSA grant recipients that unless they supply details of their banking accounts where future SASSA grants can be deposited they will no longer receive their grants.  Don’t they understand that a SASSA recipient cannot afford a banking account, even if there was a bank in town, which is not the case in hundreds of small communities in small towns all across the country?

We can talk about this for months but everyone knows who is behind this.

JULIUS MALEMA, THIS IS YOUR TIME.  SPEAK OUT, RAISE HELL, LET THEM HAVE IT BETWEEN THE EYES; YOU WILL FIND ME RIGHT NEXT TO YOU.

 Google January 28, 2018

 5 months to go and SA no closer to Sassa grants solution | News24

https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/…/5-months-to-go-and-sa-no-closer-to-sassa-gr…

 Nov 1, 2017 – This team will comprise officials from Treasury, the South African ReserveBank, as well as Sassa and SAPO’s technical teams. It would need until Tuesday or Wednesday next week to review the deal in its entirety and provide suggestions. Only then will Parliament hear if a deal can be struck, seven months …

Expiry of SASSA Card

http://www.sassa.gov.za/index.php/newsroom/301-expiry-of-sassa-card

Oct 16, 2017 – The issues of the South AfricanSocial Security Agency (SASSA) expiry card has brought a lot of uncertainty among social grant beneficiaries who are now living in fear of what will happen when the card expires on 31 December 2017 . SASSA would like to assure beneficiaries of social grants that the …

Sassa to reactivate bank account to diversify payment of grants – EWN

ewn.co.za/2017/…/sassa-to-reactivate-its-bank-account-to-diversify-payment-of-grants

 Sep 16, 2017 – JOHANNESBURG – Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini saysSouth Africa Social Security Agency (Sassa) is in the process of re-activating its bank account by January. Dlamini announced the progress being made by the social security agency yesterday to appoint a new service provider to pay …

Five things Sassa is doing to take social grant payments away from CPS

https://www.timeslive.co.za/…/south-africa/2017-09-15-five-things-sassa-is-doing-to-t…

 Sep 15, 2017 – The outcome of the assessment and how the Post Office can support grant payments will be announced next week‚ said Dlamini. 2. The South Africa Social Security Agency (Sassa) is opening a new bank account for the monthly R10-billion that is paid in grants with support from the Treasury and South .

 Ike Jakson

In Americus GA saka Americoon

Evolution and Demise of the Manifest Destiny of Mankind Part One

Our family often visited the World famous Kruger National Park when our children were young.  The Kruger haven is or largest natural game reserve situated in what was then called the Eastern Transvaal region of South Africa of the day; millions of the rich in the World crowd the reserve today.  It has become the refuge of the rich and famous; all kinds of celebrities of dubious honor come in large groups and the old days when it was a weekend away for ordinary citizens have long gone.

Let me cut this story short.

I enjoyed visiting Pretoriuskop Camp in the southwest corner of the Park; always booked a cottage at the end of the northeast section close to the natural pool and from our front porch I looked out over maybe 60 by 80 meters of open space towards the surrounding fence [erected around all camps to keep the large animals of prey out] from where I could watch the monkeys climbing over the strong wire fence late afternoon to settle in a massively large wild fig tree for the night.  There would be half an hour of loud discussions [never any fight or injured monkey] as each one would find his reserved space according to what was obviously a rigid pecking order system obeyed by every single member of the clan.  Early next morning they would come down out of the tree, climb out over the fence and go about their business of looking for food for the day.  It was obvious from the orderly discussions before they all left that each of them had his role cut out for the day.  I never in many years saw any fights, friction or any signs of havoc in the World of the Kruger Park Monkey species.

I also never saw one rich or one poor monkey; none wore rings or mink coats; never saw one neglected young kiddy monkey or a poor one begging for food.

We were there last time in 1977 and my readers will all remember that we did not have fax machines or cellular phones at that time.  Computers were large big blue machines; input was all on punched cards; output had reached the tape deck stage and reams of paper; desktop computers did not exist as yet and there was no Internet.  The monkey species had reached their peak and they would continue to prosper but would do so within a strict order of discipline and duty.

Let me give you an example.

***

Just decided to end Part One here to give you all enough time to work out what you may expect in Part Two.  ‘Nuff said if I tell you all that you will be shocked right down into your boots, or your little toes if you are not wearing boots at the time when you read Part Two.

The series will run concurrently in WordPress and Facebook.

Ike Jakson

In Americus GA saka Americoon

Of Vodacom and Orwell 1984 to Animal Farm 2084

Much has been said about Big Brother of 1984 but the People never understood and still don’t because the Machine took over.

The People were given cell phones thus creating the massive fences surrounding the cities where all the People were herded in.  Big Brother said “OK, now you all have cell phones and should be happy.”

So, all the Animal species were set free; they graze and flourish, moving freely but gaze in wonder at these strange creatures behind the barbed wire fences.  There is no escape.

Vodacom got what they wanted; all animal life got their freedom to roam and multiply and the People have cell phones.

The Machine is in charge.  To understand this, read Steinbeck in Grapes of Wrath and follow that up with The Winter of our Discontent.

Thus we will get to 2084; life is great and everyone will have the choice of two cell phones for the parents; all the kiddies will have tablets and unlimited access to Cyber Space.

Reality?  What the heck do you want to talk about reality?  Virtual reality is so much easier; you have no responsibility and you do not have to think; the Machine does all the thinking for you.

Life has never been as good; why, oh me why did we wait so long to get here?

Hey, stop asking questions about poverty!  There will be no poor; press the cellphone button and the machine will bring you all the food you can eat.  Just think about what is going to be in the cinema tonight; press the button and you will have it.

We will all be equal and FREE AT LAST, courtesy of the Machine.

 Ike Jakson

Saka Americoon in Americus GA

I am One of We the People; Yes, I am One of We the People

From this day on I aim to be One and I intend to stand firm and will not budge.

 We have a Constitution and I shall obey and honor that but I shall demand that others in business or politics do the same where it affects me or those that are dear to me.

 Join me and let us discuss our Constitution and our rights and duties; we cannot have the rights without the implicit duties to grant the other one the same rights in terms of our Constitution in everything in our daily lives.

Join me now.

Ike Jakson

in Americus Sowega saka Americoon

Down Memory Lane to this day in 1976

Friday, 16 June 2017

You have to be over 60 to have one; maybe in the old days you could have had one at 50 but no more.

In South Africa this day in 1976 was the dividing line between old memory days of April 6^th, October 10^th, December 16^th and a few others.

It matters no more where your own private lane started or where you have gone since; at least not for groups no more though some have made it the starting point of their own.

 I stood at the top of what was then the business centre of Commissioner Street in Old Johannesburg South Africa and cried for my Country.  Having just taken the first two steps up the Corporate Ladder in one go when traffic stopped moving in Commissioner Street; the new Carlton Centre was not even fully operating; the old Alhambra Theatre drinking hole was still there right across the street corner at the north western street junction with the Carlton and the yuppies gathered there every night; on Friday nights their ladies would join them and the place would be packed; full house every Friday.  The JSE was still referred to as Burnett Street.  Soon after it would become Diagonal Street and the Carlton would be a slum.

June 16^th of 1976 was the trigger; today Diagonal Street is a slum; nobody in his right mind will drive into the upper east end of Commissioner Street today.

The sad point is that too many are still dwelling on the divisions of the past that made children aged 8 to 10 turn on school buildings and libraries to burn them down and which in turn made it necessary for the armed forces to stop the riots.  Nobody stopped to find the solutions; the Country is in greater agony than ever before.

[to be continued one day; when that will be, I cannot say because we are not working on finding the solutions].

 Ike Jakson

In Americus GA saka Americoon

The three Great Presidents of the World must meet

I ran the first part of this as an Open Note in Face Book just a few days back:

 “Can an Old Sefriken Guy call for a meeting between the three Great Presidents of the World, names in alphabetical order, Jinping, Putin and Trump?

Yes, it is my view that they should meet as soon as possible.

Preferable they should do so on neutral ground, like say, Iceland where two others previously met.

They should meet as full equals and all arrive with their spouses First Ladies and hands of friendship extended. There should be no conditions, demands or threats, just sitting down over a few drinks and become friends.

I reckon that is what the World needs today.”

 It received some attention but not nearly the serious discussions I had hoped for.  Perhaps I was vain.

 But this is a first for the entire World, having three Adult Men as Presidents in the three largest Independent Sovereign States in the World.

 We are moving through a phase of transition in the ever moving Cycles and Circles of History and World Events.  The present Cycle could be crucial to guide us for what must come if we don’t adjust to the Times.

 We simply have to get these Men together to form a Team.  I have high hopes and will return with some thoughts from the position at the Southern tip of Africa where I sit as a Sefriken.

 Ike Jakson

In Americus GA saka Americoon

Merry Christmas 2016

Just 7 Suns from today will get us to Xmas morning 2016 and I shall start early this year because it will be my seventh one of Grace.  I hope for many more and my personal medical attendant says he cannot find any reason why I should not reach the ton; on my side I don’t want to rob anyone else going for it and thus as a human who has had his fair share:

Merry Christmas to all of you who contributed to another one for me and my cousin and Uncle Oom Wennie in my absence from Facebook.

Thank you Folks.  We have family in Oz, Paraguay, Netherlands, Ye olde country England, and quite a number with Uncle Sam.  Thank you all.

Let us remember the good things and the Blessings of our Lord God and Creator during 2016.

The year 2017 will be another year to deal with; for now it can wait.  I love you and yours for 2016.  Enjoy.

Merry Christmas 2016.