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Issue 22 ~ January 13, 2020

Book lovers turning out in force for Boekbedonnerd XII, Booktown Richmond in the Northern Cape Province 

Dearest Karoosters

For the lucky few we are still on holiday until next week; some of the really chosen few are on permanent holiday! 
We have spent the Christmas holidays in the Zululand North Coast village of Mtunzini which has been wonderful, hot…..very hot one day hitting 46, but always with an offshore breeze to keep the air moving.

Below please find a really wonderful YouTube presentation of BookBedonnerd XII composed and compiled by Hendrik Mentz, writer, farmer, philosopher, long-time associate and supporter of Booktown Richmond. I think that it really sets the scene for what has been described as one of the great events in the entire Karoo. Thank you Hendrik!

Booktown Richmond | Bookbedonnerd XII

Whether we can stage an encore is dependent upon our humble grant from the Northern Cape Provincial government. They run to their own tune so it will be up in the air like last year….so sad. Boekbedonnerd XII was only barely able to function due to very last minute funding from the NC Department of Tourism. As you are no doubt aware we were unceremoniously defunded by the NC Department of Sport Art and Culture (?).

We are hopeful that the Northern Cape government under new leadership will have the vision to support the only literary festival in the province and a burgeoning little miracle village in the desert of desperation in the Karoo.

But in the meanwhile there is a very important year we as South Africans must survive and more than that, to overcome the malaise we are all suffering due to the unending litany of ANC government promulgated corruption, mal-administration, and incompetence from the lowliest of departments to the mightiest, (…..well it should be) ESKOM. Everything touched by this political party and its operatives just happens to become non-functional and stop working. It is not even funny anymore; it is a travesty of democracy. But the sad reality is that the people (not me though, and probably many of you) are getting what they deserve….they voted for the ANC again and again and so deserve to be getting screwed over again and again. 

If you read South African history the one over arching theme is that we always just manage to survive, and I know for sure that we will. Rebellions, civil wars, treks, migrations, revolutions, assassinations, and criminal governments have all managed to be overcome because we are a good people, we just elect scum bag politicians and make the mistake of trusting them

Big mistake…..democracy demands vigilance by good people. Us. 

Have a wonderful 2020. May the year bring you every success, happiness and health for you and your family and friends.

Richmond is still there with many new attractions to occupy your senses. Guest houses, antique shops, and a sense that it is one Karoo dorp on the move in the right direction. If you take a moment to check the YouTube put together by Hendrick you will surely be blown away by the talent our little village possesses.

In closing I would be remiss if I did not personally thank again all the wonderful people who made BBXII what it was: Angie Gallagher for orchestrating the Razzamatazz, along with Thys Bouwer, Jermaine King and Philip Mans, Darryl David, now a Capetonian, for organizing the fantastic array of speakers and the speakers themselves for doing us all the honour of speaking in Richmond. Again, huge thanks go out to those roped in to help with the presentations; Tracy, Elize, Mike and Graham, and Desty van der Merwe my Mr. go-to in the tourism office.

Hope to see you all again and bring more friends in October.

All the very Karoo best,

Forever Bookbedonnerd….. 

Peter Baker (co-director of Bookbedonnerd, alongside Darryl David)

Website: Booktown Richmond

Peter McKuchane, (General Manager: Business Tourism and Events) with the Northern Cape Government to the rescue with a part-sponsorship, after the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts & Culture pulled the plug, here with Dr Peter Baker co-director of the Festival
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