Onderstaande is slegs gedeeltes van die nuusbrief. Jammer, maar geen foto’s word geplaas nie.
RENAISSANCE CELEBRATES 35 YEARS
On the first of April 1991, the first residents moved into Renaissance. It is now 35 years later,
and the Village is still going strong. Over these 35 years, Renaissance has seen many
residents come and go.
Some passed away, some moved to ‘Die Palms’ (unfortunately, not in existence anymore),
and some went to other places. The residents currently living here, as far as we know, are
mostly a happy crowd.
As we all come from different backgrounds and places in SA, we are all (mostly) pensioners
now and enjoy the quiet environment and tranquility of Renaissance, and most of us enjoy
the different bird sounds, see the squirrels running up and down trees and houses and look
out for the ‘Bloukop Koggelmanders’ in the streets and enjoy the Bush Babies that come and
collect food at night.
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BOODSKAP VAN DIE VOORSITTER
Sedert die vorige uitgawe het baie dinge in die wereld verander. Die oorlog in die
Ooste het jou twee keer laat dink voordat jy jou motor gaan gebruik.
Oorsese reise is gekanselleer en wegbreek naweke is ook verminder, net doktersbesoeke het nie minder geword nie.
Die bestuur verwelkom alle nuwe intrekkers. Ongelukkig is nie alle reëls nagekom om u
voor die tyd te ontmoet nie, maar van die bestuur se kant sal ons tyd maak om by u uit
te kom. By voorbaat doen ek ʼn beroep op u dat as daar enige onsekerhede is, om met
die Admistratiewe Beampte (Jacky Putter) kontak te maak en sy sal my inlig van u
navrae.
Baie dankie aan al die bestuurslede wat baie hard gewerk het in hierdie kwartaal. Die
laat nagte se rekenaar en baie telefoon gesprekke om foute by instansies reg te stel.
Daar is baie wat in ander inwoners se nood uitkoms gebring het, so ook aan
kontrakteurs-werkers wat na ʼn ongeluk hul saak kon oplos na misverstande.
Dit is ʼn voorreg om saam met hierdie lede te werk, wat nie eer soekerig is nie. Julle
sterre skyn helder daar waar dit erken word.
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
Since the previous edition, many things in the world have changed. The war in the East
has made you think twice before using your car. Overseas trips have been cancelled,
and getaway weekends have also decreased; only visits to the doctor have not ended.
The management welcomes all new residents. Unfortunately, not all rules were
followed to meet you beforehand, but on the management’s side, we will make time to
come and see you.
In advance, I appeal to you to contact the Administrative Officer (Jacky Putter) if there
are any uncertainties, and she will inform me of your inquiries.
Many thanks to all the board members who worked very hard this quarter. The late
nights on the computer and many phone calls to correct mistakes at institutions.
Many have brought relief to the needs of other residents, as well as to contractor
workers, helping them resolve their cases after misunderstandings.
It is a privilege to work with these members, who are not glory-seeking. Your stars
shine brightly where they are recognised.
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Storievertellers van God se meester-verhaal
God is die groot storie-skrywer en ons is die vertellers. Elkeen van ons se lewe is ‘n
boeiende verhaal met verskillende hoofstukke, karakters en storielyne.
Tussen ons geboorteverhale en slothoofstukke (lewens eindes), is die tussen-hoofstukke vol
intriges, spanning, hartseer, verrassings en ontknopings. Die oomblik wanneer ek God se
hand erken en herken in my lewensverhaal, word dit natuurlik ‘n geloof-verhaal.
Die sleutel tot die uiteindelike verstaan daarvan, is te vind in God se belofte dat Hy alles ten
goede laat meewerk vir die wat Hom liefhet. Dit beteken dus dat God se verhale
altyd goed eindig. Hy is nie die oorsaak van alles wat met ons gebeur nie, maar Hy is
teenwoordig in alles wat met ons gebeur. Ons is deur ons getuienisse vertellers van enkele
grepe van ons verhale soos wat ons dit op ‘n bepaalde oomblik in ons lewe verstaan. Later
kan ons ook hierdie verhale herinterpreteer soos wat ons verstaan verdiep. Gelowiges lewer
getuienis oor lewens-veranderings (bekerings), toewydings-oomblikke, oomblikke van
waarheid, geloofsinsigte, God se sorg, ens. Getuienisse sê altyd: “Kom kyk wat die Here
gedoen het”! Ons het almal iets om te vertel van God se storie in ons lewens. Wil jy nie
maar jou verhaal begin deel met ander nie? Dalk met jou vriende, bure, kinders, of ander
familie? God werk op verrassende maniere deur doodgewone mense se stories. -Dr Chris Harris
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OUR VICE CHAIRMAN AND SECRETARY
Husband and wife, Peter and Anna Bischoff are part of the Management
Committee, where Peter is the Vice Chairman and also in charge of Security, and
Anna is the Secretary to make sure the Minutes are available after every
meeting. They were caravaners, always camping somewhere around Bela-Bela,
but after Anna fell sick and had two major surgeries, they decided to sell their
caravan, came to look for accommodation and were instantly impressed by U46
where they are now residing.
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REGISTRASIE VIR VERKIESING
Dinsdag 24 Maart 2026 kon almal wat in die laaste twee jaar by Renaissance kom bly het,
die geleentheid kry om te registreer vir die opkomende verkiesing. Andries van der Heyde
was aan stuur van sake en al moes almal ‘n tydjie wag, kon almal wat daar was, gehelp
word.
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PAASFEES/EASTER
Daar is verskillende opvattings in verband met Paasfees. Party mense maak dit ‘n
wegbreek naweek met baie kere noodlottige gevolge op die paaie. Ander verkies
om rustig saam met familie te verkeer. Baie mense heg waarde aan paashase en
paaseiers en maak dit prettig vir kinders. Die besighede maak dit ‘n tyd van groot
uithang en baie kostes. Die belangrikste aspek van Paasfees vir ons as gelowiges is
dit wat vir ons die mees belangrikste faktor is naamlik dat daar ‘n kruisiging en
opstanding was, wat ons as mensdom vry maak van sonde. Mag elkeen van ons
volgens eie keuse Paasfees gedenk.
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MANNE-ONTBYT
Dit is nou al amper ‘n instelling dat die ‘manne’ saam kuier oor ‘n heerlike ontbyt en dan
stories uit ruil. Hierdie jaar was nie ‘n uitsondering nie en het almal op Woensdag 22 April
2026 weer bymekaar gekom vir ‘n lekker kuier oggend. As die leë bakke getuienis is, moes
die pap, sous en wors goed afgegaan het.Weereens dankie aan Flip Botha wat altyd die
inisiatief neem om dit te reël.
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WELKOM AAN DIE NUWE INTREKKERS
Ons is weereens bevoorreg om nuwe gesigte te sien en te leer ken. Baie welkom almal!
MARTIN EN ANNATJIE RAUTENBACH – E45
Martin is een van die gelukkige ouens wat nog werk. Ongelukkig ry hy al die pad Middelburg toe
waar hy by Samancor werk, op ‘n Maandagoggend en weer terug op Vrydagmiddag maar hoop om
een van die dae op te hou anders sal hy Sondae aande moet ry want as mense die omgewing ken,
sal julle weet winter op die Hoëveld voorspel mis wat baie gevaarlik kan wees.
Hulle kom van Middelburg af en het lank gesoek na ‘n geskikte blyplek en is nou doodgelukkig in
Renaissance. Hulle spog met vier kinders en 8 kleinkinders. Martin is baie musikaal en kan bykans
enige instrument bespeel.
CHARMAINE LOURENS – E88
Charmaine is ‘n alleenloper wat vanaf Mokopane, waar sy in beheer van ‘Die Bosvelder” was, Bela-Bela toe gekom het nadat sy ‘Die Pos’ koerant so om en by drie jaar gelede oorgeneem het en nou hier in Renaissance kom nesskrop het. Sy is van na skool af al betrokke in die joernalistiek
omgewing en omdat dit ‘n besige en tydrowende beroep is, geniet sy na ure die stilte van Renaissance. Sy het twee kinders wat net soos ma ook baie besig is met hul beroepe.
Mag jou verblyf ‘n lang en gelukkige een wees.
TINIE EN ERNA BERGH – E 113
Hul kom van Nylstroom, waar hul huis in November 2025 oorstroom was, en hul het gedink dit sal nooit verkoop, en toe uit die bloute het iemand dit gekoop, en hul sit toe in die knyp. Gelukkig het hul gehoor van E113 en dadelik van die eenheid gehou, waar hul nou heel gemaklik aangepas het. Hulle het 6 kinders, 15 kleinkinders en 5 agterkleinkinders, Wat ‘n seën! Tinie hou van nuus kyk en Erna is op haar gelukkigste met haar verfkwas. Die agtergrond van hul foto is een van haar kunswerke.
WIKUS BOTHA EN WENDY SMITH – E 114
As ‘n mens in die Oord rond beweeg sal ‘n mens gou agterkom wie se broer Wikus is. Familietrekke onmiskenbaar dieselfde. Wikus boer nog steeds met beeste op sy plaas by Sterkrivier. Wendy
is op haar gelukkigste as sy kan kos maak en alles wat lekker is uit probeer. Hulle het tussen hulle 6 kinders, 8 kleinkinders en 4 agterkleinkinders. Hulle hoop om lank en gelukkig hier te
bly want as hy wil plaas toe vir ‘n lang tydperk is dit net ‘lock up and go’.
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INWONERS WAT HUL ANKERS GELIG HET
ELSA MICHAU – E88
Nadat Albert in ’n versorgings eenheid in Pretoria opgeneem is en sy elke week soontoe
moes ry om hom te sien, was dit ‘n wyse besluit om maar nader aan Pretoria te beweeg.
Ons wens haar en Albert alles van die beste toe en mag sy gesondheid met tyd weer beter
word.
MARI FECHNER – E57
Mari en Wyle Carl het jare (om en by 20) in Renaissance gebly. Sy is nou ‘n Rusoord inwoner.
Sy het net gevoel dat op dié hoë ouderdom dit net beter sal wees as sy naby versorging is.
Voorspoed Mari en kom kuier maar gereeld by die Oord.
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SIEKELYS
Oor die afgelope kwartaal was daar baie inwoners wat of net siekerig was, of in die hospitaal
beland het, groot operasies gehad het, of by die werk seergekry het of besig is om te herstel
na die tyd of net slegte nuus in verband met hul gesondheid gekry het. Die wens is dat alles
vorentoe sommer ‘okay’ sal wees en beterskap sal intree.
Adri Nel (E6); Sarie Smit (E7); Caro Muller (E15); Sollie Brits (E33); Ingrid van den Berg (E34);
Martin Rautenbach (E45); Herman Le Roux (E48); Sue Bisschoff en Nita Kearney (E51);
Herman en Hester van Eeden (E60); Isabel Behrens (E62); Ans Matthyser (E77);
Johann Benade (E86); Lizzy Viljoen (E87); Ronel van der Walt (E100); Caro van der Schyff
(E103); André Olivier (E116); Wessie en Magda van der Westhuizen (E120).
Piet Prinsloo (E133) en Hester Breet (E139) het albei geval maar kon darem met hulp weer
aan die gang kom.
As daar dalk iemand is wat oorgeslaan was, jammer, maar weet nie van almal.
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IN MEMORIAM
Ons harte gaan ook uit na Phlip van der Walt wie se moeder op die 13de April oorlede is.
Chris van den Heever voorheen van E75 is die afgelope tyd oorlede vir dié wat hom nog kan
onthou en ons dink aan sy familie.
Jan Lebele, ‘n Galven Sekuriteitswag wat baie lank hier gewerk het en in ‘n ernstige motorongeluk
betrokke was, is ook oorlede. Die Bestuur sal vir Galven Sekuriteit vra om die Oord se meegevoel
aan sy familie oor te dra.
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UITREIK NA MEKAAR
Baie van ons inwoners voel dat daar meer uitgereik moet word na ons medeinwoners, veral na dié wat alleen bly. Baie van ons weet nie eers hoe dit met die bure gaan nie. Kom ons probeer om
mekaar te leer ken en by te staan. Die alleenlopers of selfs egpare, het soms net iemand nodig om
by te kla of raad te vra oor situasies. As ons vir mekaar omgee kan net ‘n handdruk of drukkie ‘n
wêreldse verskil maak in die lewens van dié wat eensaam is. Hulp met takies of die saam neem
dorp toe, kan dalk ‘n groot verskil maak.
Die sprake is dat inwoners daaraan moet dink en met voorstelle kom om dalk ‘n omgee-groep op
die been te bring. Kontak die Admin kantoor en sodoende kan daar kontak gemaak word met die
belanghebbendes. Dit gaan hier nie net oor liggaamlike welsyn nie, maar ook geestelike welsyn, en
enigiemand wat deernis het vir ander en dit sal ook help as iemand mediese agtergrond het om
in te skakel, want een of ander tyd het almal van ons iemand anders nodig.
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SOMETHING ABOUT BLOOD PRESSURE.
HIGH – HYPERTENSION
High blood pressure usually doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms unless it becomes a
hypertensive crisis, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
The most common way to know if you have hypertension is to regularly check your blood pressure
pressure, as unmanaged high blood pressure can damage arteries and increase the risk of
serious cardiovascular problems.
Managing high blood pressure through lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, or
medication can help lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and other
complications.
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: systolic, the pressure as your heart beats,
and diastolic, the pressure when your heart is at rest.
Understanding blood pressure ranges is crucial for managing your health. Specific ranges
can indicate healthy or high blood pressure.
Managing blood pressure involves lifestyle changes like diet and exercise and may require
medication depending on the stage and if you have other health conditions.
LOW – HYPOTENSION
Low blood pressure is a condition in which the force of the blood pushing against the artery
walls is too low. It’s also called hypotension.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). In general, low blood
pressure is a reading lower than 90/60 mm Hg.
What’s considered low blood pressure for one person might be OK for someone else,
though. Low blood pressure might cause no noticeable symptoms. Or it might cause
dizziness and fainting. Sometimes, low blood pressure can be life-threatening.
The causes of low blood pressure include dehydration and other serious medical conditions.
It’s important to identify the cause of low blood pressure so it can be treated, if needed.
Types of low blood pressure include:
* Orthostatic hypotension, also called postural hypotension. This is a sudden drop in blood
pressure when standing up after sitting or lying down. Causes include dehydration, long
term bed rest, pregnancy, certain medical conditions and some medicines. This type of low
blood pressure is common in older adults.
* Postprandial hypotension. This drop in blood pressure occurs 1 to 2 hours after eating. It’s
most likely to affect older adults, especially those with high blood pressure. The risk is also
higher for older adults with Parkinson’s disease or other conditions that affect the part of
the nervous system that controls automatic functions such as breathing and heart rate. This
is called the autonomic nervous system. Certain lifestyle changes might help ease symptoms
of postprandial hypotension. Eat small, low-carb meals, drink more water, and avoid alcohol.
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Something interesting about 1 May
May 1, known as International Workers’ Day or Labour Day, commemorates the global struggle for workers’ rights, particularly the fight for an eight-hour workday, which originated with the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago.
Historical Origins
May Day has roots that predate labour movements, originally celebrated in Europe as a spring festival, linked to pagan traditions like the Roman Floralia and the Celtic Beltane, marking the start of the new season and harvests. Over time, the date became associated with labour rights and workers’ struggles.
Global Observance
Today, May 1 is observed in many countries, including India, Germany, France, China, and South Africa, as a public holiday celebrating workers’ contributions and rights
Significance
May 1 serves as a reminder of the struggles and achievements of the labour movement, highlighting the ongoing fight for fair working conditions, social justice, and workers’ dignity. It also symbolises global solidarity among workers, connecting historical struggles to contemporary labour rights advocacy.
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10 MEI 2026 – MOEDERSDAG
Geseënde Moedersdag aan alle Mammas, Oumas, Stiefma’s, Pleegma’s, Troeteldierma’s en skoonma’s en sommer almal wat êrens vir iemand ‘n Mamma is.
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RESIDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONAL TALENT:
In our midst are Philip and Ingrid van den Berg as part of the Renaissance family.
Below is a description of the latest “hobby” they tackled:
‘A new revised edition of the best-selling pocket-sized safari guide featuring the birds of the Kruger. Birding is becoming more popular than ever, and this book will make it easier for readers to become familiar with the birds most commonly seen on game drives in the Greater Kruger area. Kruger Birds is a comprehensive guidebook that covers 447 Greater Kruger species.’
Apart from this revised edition, there are multiple books on the shelves or available to buy via HPH Publishing under their names, and, in addition, their son also needs recognition in the publishing field he works in. Just go to the HPH Publishing page on Facebook or the website at www.hphpublishing.co.za, and you’ll be astonished by all they have achieved.
BIOGRAPHY
Husband-and-wife award-winning photographers, Philip and Ingrid van den Berg share a love of Africa and all its facets. It is their passion to capture unique moments in nature and share these with readers through the pages of their wildlife books. Now retired from careers in environmental education and biological sciences, Philip and Ingrid have transformed a love of photography into a full-time “hobby”, with several acclaimed wildlife books to their credit. With their extensive knowledge of the natural world and scientific backgrounds, they are an integral part of the HPH team. (The top information (biography) was copied from the HPH Facebook page)
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SLEUTELS!!!
Wie van ons in vandag se dae kan sonder sleutels wees! Alles moet agter slot
en grendels wees, en dan, as bejaardes, vergeet ons partykeer waar daardie sleutels is.
Hier in Renaissance het ons die volgende in plek en hierdie skrywe is meestal net ter inligting en wil graag almal vra om te help met wat nou lyk, na ‘n groot probleem te wees.
Alle eenhede word voorsien van ‘n stel sleutels vir die buite deure, nl. agterdeur, voordeur, glasdeure en as daar veiligheids deure is, dan ook ‘n stel daarvan. ‘n Duplikaat stel word in ‘n sleutel kluis in die Admin. Kantoor gehou. Dit het al gebeur dat daar ‘n nood situasie in die nag ontstaan en dan moet die sekuriteit sleutels hê om toegang tot ‘n eenheid te kry. Die bewerings word gemaak dat die sleutel kluis vir almal toeganglik is en dit is nie waar nie, want die deur na die kantoor is altyd gesluit en net die Administratiewe Beampte en die gevolmagtigde BK lede (slegs vir noodgevalle) het toegang tot die sleutelkas. Baie van die inwoners het hul slotte vervang wat weer onlangs ‘n probleem veroorsaak het deur dat ‘n venster gebreek moes word om by die persoon wat geval het te kon uitkom. Dit is seker elke inwoner se reg om die slotte te vervang maar dan moet daar duplikate in die kantoor wees. As inwoners nie hul sleutels wil in gee nie en ‘n nood situasie soos bv. siekte, brand of water skade kom voor, kan die Oord nie verantwoordelikheid vat vir enige verlies in sulke gevalle nie.
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O GAATS! Ǹ SLANG!
Baie van ons hier in Renaissance het al van slange gehoor of selfs al met hul te doen gekry.
Hier is nogal heelwat van hulle en inwoners moet maar op die uitkyk wees. As jul dalk die Katlagters en Kwêvoëls hoor te kere gaan, verseker is daar ‘n probleem en normaalweg ‘n slang, soos weereens ondervind by E51 en E53. Meneer die Mamba was in die granaatboom by E51 waar die voëls hom bespeur het en groot lawaai gemaak het. Later die oggend het hy hom egter vasgeloop in E53 se erf. Dit was ‘n yslike grote van om en by 2meter lank
Wees maar paraat vernaam in die aand, want hier was of is Spoegkobras, Mambas, Pofadders, Rooi lippies, Bruin Huisslange en nie te lank terug ‘n Boomslang en selfs ‘n Nagadder was al opgemerk.
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WINTER TIME IS CITRUS FRUIT TIME
Thought it would be interesting to know about the origin of the fruits that most of us like to eat mostly in the wintertime.
Citrus is a genus of flowering trees and shrubs in the family Rutaceae. Plants in the genus produce citrus fruits, such as citrons, mandarins and pomelos. Many important citrus crops have been developed through extensive hybridisation, including oranges, lemons, grapefruits and limes, all of which have many cultivars.
Many Citrus species are hybrids of citron, mandarin and pomelo. Mandarins in South Africa is called a ‘naartjie’ except for the Mandarin Orange, but elsewhere it is called mandarins or tangerines. Mandarin Oranges are smaller and sweeter than Naval Oranges. Always thought an orange is an orange and a lemon is a lemon. Never too old to learn something new!
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THIRTY YEARS SERVICE
William Baloyi has just reached his 30th year of service at Renaissance. He was still a young man when he started working here on May 1, 1996. He knows every nook and corner of Renaissance. He started as a General Worker, was appointed a Handyman in 2004, and in 2014 was appointed as Factotum in the Maintenance department. He has worked with various managers and received all his training in service here. Everyone knows him as Willy, but he prefers to be called William. Good luck William, keep your happy smile and may you see many more elderly people come and go.
