What’s on in the area?

Oggendtee saam met Strelitzia
Februarie 4 – Kom geniet ‘n oggendtee saam met lede van Strelitzia by Drakensberg Vallei NG Kerk. Oud-Newcastle inwoner, Dibi Symington Breytenbach, sal tydens die geleentheid haar tweede boek resenseer. Sy is tans woonagtig in Vryheid waar sy in die Kinderhof werk. Daar sal ook ‘n optrede wees deur ‘n 11-jarige konsertpianis, en ‘n skets oor die versorging van boemelaars sal aangebied word. Verskeie stalletjies sal beskikbaar wees. Toegang is R80 per persoon. Belangstellendes kan Marietjie Wright kontak by 082 950 7858.

York Village Market Day
February 4 – Join York Village for a fun Market Day at 14 York Street from 12 pm to 6 pm.
Enjoy treats such as ice-cream, slush puppies and pop corn.
Book your stall early to avoid disapointments.
For more information contact 072 527 0456.

NOFTA Valentines Ball
February 18 – Newcastle Organisation for the Aged (NOFTA) cordially invites you to attend a grand post Valentines Ball, dinner and dance.
The dinner will commence from 6pm at the NOFTA Service Centre.
Music will be rendered by Blu-Flames, a top live band from Johannesburg.
Tickets are available at R150 per person, and R100 for NOFTA members.
For more information contact, Rajesh Ramdaw on 082 321 7150.

New Age of Newcastle – Annual General Meeting
February 18 – New Age of Newcastle (NAON) invites the public to its Annual General Meeting.
The meeting will commence from 2pm at the NAON centre, Jasmine Crescent, 1 in Suryaville.
For further information, contact Mrs R. Maharaj on 079 499 4390, Krish Ramdhani on 082 889 6128, or Ashok Gajee on 071 489 3494.

HPS Temple celebrates Maha Shivaratri
February 24 – You and your family are invited to the Maha Shivaratri celebration at the HPS temple.
Celebrations will commence from 6.30 pm and will continue till late.
The officiating priests will be Pundit Suresh Maharaj and Pundit Magan Maharaj.
We look forward to your attendance.
For more information contact, Nirvashni Singh on 083 277 9336 or Ramesh Seeberath on 082 885 1190.
Nofta’s Portuguese/Bhangra Cruise
March 24, 2017 – Newcastle of the Aged (Nofta) will embark on an exciting Bhangra cruise. Members pay R5 500 and this includes port and baggage, mandatory insurance, service charges and entertainment fees. An immediate deposit of R3 000 will secure your place. Transport expenses excluded. Contact Rajesh Ramdaw on 082 321 7150 or Ram Sivpersad on 072 125 2809 or alternatively, contact the Nofta office on 034 317 2251.

Nofta’s 18-day tour of India
April 9 to April 27 – Nofta will embark on an exciting 18-day trip to India. Departure will be from Johannesburg to Delhi on April 9, and return will be from Mumbai to Johannesburg April 27. Tourists will visit temples, churches, ashrams and various other places of interest. Cost of the trip will be R 23 900 per person and will include the following: – Five nights accommodation in Delhi – Two nights accommodation in Haridwar – Three nights accommodation in Chennai – Three nights accommodation in Bangalore – Three nights accommodation in Mumbai – Daily buffet breakfast at the hotels – Airport arrival / departure transfers and sightseeing by 12-seater, aircon Tempo Traveller as per itinerary, fuel charges, tollgate tax, State taxes and parking fees – Chair car train fare for Delhi / Haridwar sector – Assistance on airport arrival and departure transfers – Local English speaking guide during sightseeing only – Entrance fee to monuments for one single visit exactly as per itinerary – rickshaw ride in Haridwar – tuktuk ride in Rishikesh to get in to the city
– ferry ride to Elephanta – Two bottles mineral water per person per day during travel only – All presently applicable taxes and government service tax. Cost excludes transport to and from Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport. Contact, Rajesh Ramdaw: on 082 321 7150 or Ram Sivpersad on 072 125 2809, or alternatively, contact the office on 034 317 2251.

CKN Dance School
Join CKN Dancers on Tuesdays and Fridays at the Fernwood War Room. Learn different styles of dance, while having fun at the same time. Girls and boys of all ages are welcome. Contact Rashika on 076 991 4706 or 082 856 1970.

Lincoln Heights Secondary Class of 1987 reunion 
The 30-year reunion of the Lincoln Heights Secondary Class of 1987 is being planned for 2017. All feedback and input welcome.
Contact Venash on 083 287 4786 or Venesh on 082 460 4542.

New Age of Newcastle (NAON) 
All NAON members are invited to attend a workshop every Thursday from 10am to 3pm. Free sewing classes will be offered.
A hot lunch will be served to all NAON members. Advice on legal and health matters will be given. Any donations of cash and kind are welcome. Contact Radhika Maharaj on 079 499 4390 or Krish Ramdhani on 082 889 6128..

Volksrust Camera Club 
The Volksrust Camera Club meets once a month at a different venue. Interested persons can contact Robin on 071 877 7370, or leave a message.

Nofta ballroom and line dance classes
Ball room and Line Dance class will start at earnest at the NOFTA service centre from Wednesday February 1, from 6.30 pm to7.30pm, and 7.30pm to 8.30pm.
For more information contact, Rajesh on 082 321 7150 or Shirley on 034 315 2534 or 082 576 0806.

Religious
Shanti Nivas: Thaipoosam Kavady 2017 
January 31 – February 10 – Members of the public are invited to join the Shanti Nivas Temple in a Hindu fast and festival. Members will be given the opportunity to offer a Kavady to the Lord Muruga.
Join them in this time of prayer as they offer thanks to the Lord and pray for peace, good health, long life, prosperity and most of all, the loving grace of the Lord.
The festival will commence at the Shanti Nivas Temple at Montague Street, 102. The the festivities will take place as follows:
– January 31- Flag hoisting at 6pm.
– February 10 – Maha Yajana and Paarl Abishegam and Thaipoosam Kavady Grand Parade will commence from 5am.
– February 10 – Thiru Kalyanam and Clerestory marriage of the gods will commence from 6pm.
Come be a part of a dynamic family, loving and serving God in all, and aiming to spread the love of god.
For further information contact the temple priest on 078 648 1577.

Newcastle Siva Subramanian Temple
January 31 to February 12 – The Newcastle Siva Subramanian Temple will be hosting the Thaipoosam Kavady. The Kavady will be observed as follows: – The Flag Hoisting ceremony will be conducted on Tuesday, January 31 and will commence at 6pm.
– Thirukalyanam will be celebrated on Saturday, February 4 and will commence at 4pm. – The Thai Poosam Kavady will be conducted on Thursday, February 9 and will commence at 2pm. – The public Kavady will be hosted on Sunday, February 12, and will commence at 6am. Obayams will be conducted daily. Contact Venash Singh on 083 287 4786.

Mighty Men
Maart 11 en 12 – Mighty Men byeenkoms word opgeneem by Grace Park.
Die prediker is Steve Swart, en Oscar Ehrensberger sal die sangdiens lei.
Hindi Pracharni Sabha
Members of the community are invited to satsang on Tuesdays from 6pm to 7pm. Ramayan recital classes are held every Sunday from 9am to 10.30am. Contact Ramesh on 082 885 1190 or Vinod on 072 258 9992. Hindi classes are held every evening for children and adults. Students are registered with the Hindi Shiksha Sangh, should they wish to write the national examinations.
Contact Shamilla on 076 933 0655.

Hindi Classes at HIndi Pracharni Sabha 
Registration of children and adults who want to learn the Hindi language has commenced for all grades at the HPS. Hindi Bol students will learn oral communication only. Other students will be registered and taught by qualified and experienced educators for their relevant grades. These students will write the annual National Examination with the Hindi Shiksha Sang. Twenty students wrote the 2016 examination and all passed, many with distinctions. An Awards Function will be held for them in February, to acknowledge their achievements. Classes will commence from February 6 from 6pm to 7pm. Contact Shamilla on 076 933 0655 or Roshilla on 083 309 4465 for more information.

Sathya Sai Centre classes to be held
Balvikas classes are held on Mondays from 5.30pm to 6.45pm at Sathya Sai School. Contact Ritha on 034 317 2145 / 084 285 7111 or Roy on 082 575 2458.

Also see: Banaatul Ummah Syrian market day a success