Editors: Mazwi & Carrie Reshane

Springtime is here… denial would be daft as much of Norway has experienced warm and almost summery temps. We’re sure many of us would like nothing better than to go strolling and holding hands in the parks of Oslo or other cities in which we find ourselves. (Like Märtha Louise and Ari Behn of late.) But we could, of course, go about upholding Tom Lehrer’s memory by "poisoning pigeons in the park"…but we guess that would not be politic, would it, ‘cause the nature reservists and the animal lovers would be all over us like a ton of bricks. So we wont’ do that…we’ll just enjoy things as they are. And we do hope that those of you who have been blessed with wonderful weather now in the month of May have done just that!

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The Committee is still working on sorting out and updating its records so that we can get a current database. We therefore ask that all our members fill out the enclosed "Application for membership form", even if you have done so before. That way we can check the phone numbers, e-mail address and fax. We also ask that you fill in the spot for birth date. The reason we need this is because of regulations from Oslo Kommune if we are to be able to apply for any funding. In order to verify the legitimacy of membership lists, authorities demand that we have this information. We would like to assure you that information you give us will be treated with strict confidentially. It would also be most helpful to us if any members who have not paid their initial registration fee of 100 kroner, do so as soon as possible. (This is a one-time payment.)

The culture of South Africa has featured of late on the Norwegian scene. We hope that most of you did catch a glimpse of the Southfield Band, a marching band from home. This is a national band comprising kids from all over the country. Unfortunately due to lack of space, we cannot give you all of their names nor can we publish the pictures the Embassy so kindly furnished us with. The band was here over May 17^th and they featured in the children’s parade in Oslo.  

In addition, we would like to mention that four South African instructors are coming to Norway in August to stay here for a year. Their names are Andes Doubell, Peter Papie Aaron, Takatso Mtsweni and Simon Skafu. This is a part of an exchange program between the Norwegian Band Federation and Field Band Foundation, financed by Fredskorpset. The instructors will live at a folkehøyskole outside Bergen, and will work with Norwegian bands all around Norway, to teach them about South African culture and music.

A South African women’s group called "Women Unite" featured in the concert given by the city of Trondheim for Märtha Louise and Ari Behn the evening before their wedding. They sang a Wedding Song, among other things, and their singing and dancing gave a fiery ending to the concert…at least we thought so.

 Also, in Sweden, Miriam Makeba was honoured with the Polar Music Prize for 2002. There was a very lovely ceremony including a revue of her musical career. This culminated in the presentation of the award by the Swedish King. Way to go, girl! You deserve it!!

There is also going to be a "Ceramic Safari": an exhibition of South African ceramics and photographs by Janet Casson, Elisabeth Helvin and Naomi Prinsloo at Nesøya (near Oslo). The address is Lille Øverbergvei 12. The opening is on May 31^st from 17:00 to 21:00 and the exhibition continues the weekend of the first and second of June from 12:00 until 17:00. A local restaurant,, Leve Livet, tel. 66 98 11 40 will have some South African food on their menu that weekend, plus South African wine. Please see the invitation below.

Did you know that we have 7 South Africans playing on the Norwegian National Team in the 2003 Rugby World Cup Qualifying games? They are Bradley Thorsen, Hanro Van Wyk, Roger Yttervik, Ian Irving, Colin Skelton, Robert Ponton and David Hume (Semi SA. From Scotland but grew up in SA.)

You football fans have most assuredly noted that the World Cup is about to begin! For those "football illiterate" among our members, we would like to inform you that South Africa has qualified to play in this cup this year. So we wish our guys the best of luck!!

Xoliswa Mdewuka, who was elected as Secretary at the AGM in June 2001, has presented her resignation. The Committee has now asked Carrie-Anne Bruvik, who was elected as a standby Committee Member, to fill this post. She has accepted, and from now on will be the SASN’s new secretary. We hope that this meets with all our member’s approval.