RSA-Overseas - The Expat Portal: Weekly Magazine

The teenagers are participants in a drum corps exchange programme with the Newark based corps, Spirit of Newark.

Together with the South African Field Band Foundation, the Spirit of Newark have worked tirelessly to provide meaning and direction to the troubled youth in their communities According to Tali Giladi, South African-born media coordinator for an up-and coming benefit event to raise funds for the Spirit of Newark, the drum corps provide the children with an opportunity to take positive steps towards their goal.

“The children also has an opportunity to feel pride in accomplishment,” Giladi said. The five SA students have trained with the Spirit of Newark to participate in their first Drum Corps World Championships in the Washington, D.C. area.

“Drum corps has given me so much more” said drummer Riaan van Heerden, (22), a South African student. He was quoted in the New Jersey based newspaper Star-Ledger saying “I see all these kids standing on the corners (in Newark) and I wonder why don’t they do the corps.”

The Spirit of Newark was founded in 1991 to offer urban teens an after school outlet and travel opportunity.

Thomas Brown, the assistant Spirit of Newark director, told the Star-Ledger newspaper, that drum corps provide an education that supplements what these kids should be getting at home and in school.

“We teach them more than how to play, we help shape them as adults for the future” Brown said. Drum corps or field bands are not to be confused with Marine Corps or high school marching bands. Drum corps have come a long way from its Eisenhower-era beginnings as a militaristic activity sponsored by community veterans groups.

Drum corps are larger marching bands minus woodwinds, and more artier they play anything from Ricky Martin to classical music.

The corps events are organized on large football fields in 31 states all across the United States. An estimated 6000 people young people between the ages of 15 and 21 march every year during the summer.

The drum corps routines have been described as “silver screen routines” rather than patriots on parade. Instead of the push-ups and the rigid marching which is associated with marching, drums corps offer an experience which integrates arts and music education.

Four elements make up a corps, which includes drums, bugles, colour guard and “the percussion pit”, an area of non-marchable instruments which includes xylophones, gongs, triangles and timpani. The bands are judged according to their visuals, music and overall presentation.

`The Spirit of Newark offers the children of the New York information one of the few opportunities that they have for education, according to Giladi.

The South African Field Band Foundation was founded four years ago, and it has established 12 bands in four regions. Currently over 2000 children have been enrolled.

No instruments have been stolen in the four years since the organisation’s inception. The mayor of Newark recently presented a Proclamation from the city to the South African Field Band Foundation, officially recognizing its achievements.

In support of these two organizations’ attempts to educate the children, the “Vibrant New York After Dark Benefits” have organized a fund-raising benefit on behalf on these non-profit organisations at the Museum for African Art in Manhattan, New York.

SA Reserve Wine and SA Hors d’oeuvres will be served, and the South African field band foundation and the Spirit of Newark will perform.

Funds raised at the event, will be used to equip new bands, to refurbish old ones and to train teachers. The purpose of the event is to ensure that these two organizations can continue with and develop more excellent musical programs to meet the demand of children wanting to join their Drum Corp Bands.

© RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications

Katie Koekblik Column
Ilda Jacobs

"Been there, done that, got the t-shirt"

Washington D.C. - Dis daai gevoel wat iewers in jou maag ontstaan en deur jou hele lyf jaag en uitkom in ‘n gil wat bo die stadsgeraas uitstoot: Take me New York City!

Dit was net voor middernag op die Times Square plein, een verdwaalde Afrikaanse meisie met blink-oë soos ‘n miertjie tussen geel taxis ligte reuse advertensie borde en enorme geboue wat in die lug in strek.

Daardie belaglike gedagte was skielik in my kop kom nesmaak toe ek die reuse fotos van Will & Grace op ‘n gebou sien: Hier wil ek ook my foto sien, dan sal ek weet ek het dit gemaak.

Advertensie borde was dan ook my eerste indruk van New York City net voor ons deur die Lincoln tonnel in Manhatten ingery het. Ene popster-tiener-fenomeen Britney Spears en haar blonde glimlag in supergroot dimensies met die stad New York agter haar wat jou nader lok in sy ligte en beweging in.

Hier, het my hart gesê, is die “fame & fortune” van ‘n leeftyd. Natuurlik gaan slaap New York City nooit nie, hoe kon ek?

Behalwe Kaapstad, Johannesburg en Washington DC, was ek nog nooit in ‘n regte, egte stad nie. Wolkekrabbers hoër as die Heerengracht gebou in Kaapstad - vanuit my jeughostel se dak op die dertiende vloer in die hart van Manhatten, moes ek steeds opkyk na die toring van die Empire State gebou.

New York in die nag is soos 'n neonparadys, dit raak nooit stil nie, jy raak nooit alleen nie, die kenmerkende geel “cabs honk” dwarsdeur die nag. Swart en wit lang, plat limousines wagtend op die “rich and famous” voor die vertonings van Les Miserables en Stomp.

Daardie gevoel wat deur jou kielie, ‘n bedwelmde verlange om deel te wees van die pret en plesier, die stad het jou opgeslurp, jy is gehook op sy energie.

En die enkele woordjie wat jou terugbring aarde toe: Teen twee hoeke in Times Square is die internasionale tye aangebring in verskillende stede, die bekende woord soos 'n ligte skok, "Johannesburg” in geel ligte.

Daardie verdwaasde gevoel, dis 6:30 in Johannesburg, Suid-Afrika en die hele land en almal wat jy liefhet word wakker en jy staan in ‘n wêreldstad myle, kilometers, ‘n kontinent ver op Times Square in New York, en jou hart sing "New York, New York, I want to be a part of it.” Die moontlikhede wat geskryf staan in die teaterliggies van Broadway.

Maar die dag bring sy eie kleur, en vroeg-oggend verwelkom die bottels, bokse en gemors van die vorige nag jou.

As ‘n toeriste stad kan New York jou verlei met sy vryheid. ‘n Middagete met die Statue of Liberty wat oor jou waak, ‘n bootrit op die vriendelike ferry, die restaurante en winkeltjies in Greenwich village en Chinatown en Little Italy wat jou nooi om by ‘n straatkafeetjie met ‘n “Bagel and iced coffee” te gaan sit en dink: Dit is die lewe.

Op ‘n mooi dag is New York ‘n vriendelike, charismatiese stad, maar ‘n grys dag bring dan ook eerste-wêreld vervreemding, die “city-blues.”

Met die grys reën in die verskriklike hitte op die Brooklyn brug, lyk alles plasties. Orals is kabels, waar bome en rivier moes wees sien jy net grys geboue en besige mense.

Toe vra die hartjie van my in ‘n klein stem: Wat doen ek hier in die stad, ek is wragtie 'n natuurkind van Afrika, ek soek berge, ooptes, bome en koel winde, selfs die Kaapse dokter is welkom.

Kytie K.

Kytie Koekblik would like you to respond to her tongue-in-cheek running commentary on suburban life in America in this editorial. Fresh off the boat, she is ready to explore and experiment with American bath plugs and to drive on the other side of the road.

You can contact her here.

© RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications

Launch of the SA Chamber of Commerce
Ilda Jacobs

Washington D.C - The first bi-national and completely internet-based South African-USA Chamber of Commerce (SAUSACC) in the United States, was officially launched in Fort Lauderdale, Florida this week.

Already high profiled members Sun International, five American banks and the SAA have joined SAUSACC in anticipation of the increased trade and network opportunities.

By simply clicking your mouse button, professional assistance to market and develop business on either of the two continents will be available to members.

SAUSACC is a non-profit business development initiative with its main objective to facilitate business opportunities between South African and US businesses in the private sector.

"It is shocking to see how little Americans know about South Africa" Bernhard Schutte, President of SAUSACC, said. Not only will SAUSACC assist in educating the US about SA, but their main goal is to benefit South Africa.

"In the States, everyone seems to think South Africa is characterized only by hunger and poverty, and they don't realise that Johannesburg is in fact a little New York." Schutte said.

The Chamber is the vision of this self-educated entrepreneur from Benoni who is now based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and who estimates there are 17 000 South Africans currently based this district.

"It is an historical event," Schutte said about the launch. "There is no SA chamber in the whole of the USA, this is the first entity to help South African and American business get together."

The chamber provides a gateway for small business initiatives into either of the two countries. Members can post their inquiries to SAUSACC, who will provide them with contacts, laws, tariffs and import-and export assistance. Schutte said the Chamber will utilise the internet by hosting a web page which will be linked to all the major search engines. Other than the digital network of business contacts, the Chamber will provide business with online tools and site advice.

Membership benefits will vary from the level of small business to corporate members. Trustee membership and membership to individuals are also available.

According to Schutte the current economic situation in South Africa is an incentive for USA business to import and export.

'We have the manufacturing facilities and technology of the first world in SA, even despite the boycotts the country survived and did well, instead we are being compared to Uganda and Kenya," Schutte exclaimed.

The chamber invites business initiatives from all races, religions and creeds with open hearts.

Schutte, who believes the country "is the greatest in the world," predicted that the existing level of business of 5 billion dollars per annum in trade will be doubled within 5 to 10 years.

"We are opening offices all over the United States - in Atlanta, New York, Boston, Dallas and Chicago, and in every major city in the US," Schutte said.

At the embassy's expense, the South African ambassador to the United States, Sheila Sisulu, and the economic attaché of the SA embassy attended the launch in support of the initiative.

Sisulu was a speaker at the event, where several key people and VIP's where present.

Mark Ellinger, Manager, North America, for SAA, addressed the audience. SAA is a charter member of the Chamber. Ellinger said he was excited about additional business and the opportunity to network with potential customers that the chamber will provide.

"We want to show that South Africa is one of the worlds' truly great travel destinations" Ellinger said. "SAUSACC will provide us with the opportunity to increase awareness of South Africa with both business and leisure opportunities."

SAUSACC will leverage the internet for maximum advantage, and businesses are encouraged to embrace and actively participate in the blooming USA internet commerce.

The SAA has already developed internet initiatives orientated towards the establishment of South Africa as an accessible and viable destination for both short-and long term leisure and business travel.

Andre du Plessis, economic attaché to the SA embassy in Washington D.C., said the expatriate initiative is complementary to the work of the embassy, and the first to look after South African trade interests in the States.

"Although we would not officially work with the Chamber, we will give our support to the private initiative." Du Plessis said.

He emphasized the SA embassy's neutral role in the affairs of SAUSOCC. The embassy questioned the role of the chamber in providing immigration assistance and encouraging South Africans to immigrate.

Schutte emphasized SAUSOCCS' policy on the matter. "We are not an organisation to assist or encourage South Africans to leave" he said. "We would merely direct individuals with immigration problem cases to the right contacts."

© RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications

Young Mandelas in the US
Ilda Jacobs

A new Mandela may emerge from the group of talented young South Africans currently studying in the United States.

The group of South Africans, referred to as the “Mandelas” have been praised for their positive influence on the student body at the Economics Institute in Boulder, Colorado.

“They’ve really bowled us over, these students are role models to our student body” said Andrew Geiger, the programme manager for the post graduation preparation programmes at the Institute.

“The Mandela scholars are unbelievably positive and it is quite infectious.” Geiger exclaimed.

The group of talented South African scholars in the United States was awarded the prestigious Mandela Economics scholarships after being selected from approximately 9000 applicants. The final 24 candidates arrived in the United States in June to attend a two months preparation programme at the Institute during the long US summer holiday.

This week the students graduated from the Institute after excelling in the intensive orientation courses.

“The South Africans students take the name scholar very seriously” Geiger said. “They have been excellent ambassadors for their country.”

The Mandela students are about to proceed with their masters- and doctorate degrees at universities all across the States when the new academic year starts in September.

Francis Moloi, a UCT graduate who studied law and economics, seems quite likely to become the new president of South Africa in the future. Even Geiger mentioned that Moloi, who has been accepted at Harvard University Law School, has had the entire student body eating from his hands.

“I’ve acquired a new soul” says Francis about his time at the Institute. “Over and above the academic and intellectual stimulation, we’ve interacted with people from very diverse backgrounds, and my spirit has grown.”

Moloi intends to return to South Africa to tackle the challenges that the country is faced with.

“The problems in South African heightens the challenges which we are faced with, it is a call for action,” he said.

Moloi worked in the department of Trade and Industry before the Mandela scholarship provided him with the opportunity to further his studies.

His vision extends to current difficulties which the country faces, such as poverty, crime and aids.

“For us to achieve freedom is not the end, it is only the beginning. I want to put in place what I belief.”

Carmen Joy Abrahams also emphasized the incredible opportunity which the Economics Institute have given the Mandela scholars in terms of diverse cultural dynamics and academic empowerment.

“We have had the opportunity to measure ourselves against other students and to address the South African stereotypes” she said. “We are not fearful of our own weaknesses because we have addressed them.”

Abrahams intends to return to South Africa after she graduates from Brandeis University in Boston to address economical issues. The issues which are close to Abrahams’ heart are trade within the open economy and investment.

“We have been equipped to relate what we learn to our country and its current situation” said Abrahams. “We look at everything critically and it provides us with vision.” The students have received praise from everyone who has dealt with them during the intensive two months training programme.

“These students are in-depth in terms of survival and awareness” said Firuzeh Saidi, the Special Advisor to the President of the Economics Institute.

“They do not know the luxury which we have had in the States, where we take so many things for granted. We cannot compare our worries and problems to their Struggle” Saidi said. The 24 Mandela scholars, of whom some scholars were jailed during the apartheids era, performed exceedingly well during the preparation programme.

“The South Africa students are bright, well-educated and anxious to learn” said Saidi, who was surprised by their awareness of global matters. “These students want to effect change in the reshaping of their economic and legal system.”

Instead of three classes, which are recommended to the students, the South African scholars attended four.

The Economics Institute, founded in 1958, provides preparation programmes which attempts to acclimatise foreign students. Students from more than 70 countries engage in cultural exchange when they attend the preparation programmes.

“We want to save the world by beating poverty” Saidi said about the goals of the Economic Institute. Their philosophy is geared towards economic empowerment.

“Education will provide the shot in the arm for the African economies.”Saidi said.

© RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications

Tollabos in Hollywood
Ilda Jacobs

Die harte hang maar swaar hier in die vreemde met die afsterwe van die geliefde Afrikaanse grapkas, Tolla van der Merwe.

Tot onlangs het die Suid-Afrikaanse gemeenskap, en veral die Afrikaanssprekendes in die Verenigde State, nog gehoop dat Tolla sou terugkeer vir ‘n dosis goeie pap-en vleis humor.

Tolla se agent in die Verenigde State, Franciena Snyders van Kalifornië, was te ontsteld na sy dood om kommentaar te lewer. Die nuus het haar teen Maandag-middag via ‘n plaaslike joernalis bereik.

Na Tolla se optredes in die Verenigde State in 1998, het Snyders gesê mense het van sover as Kanada gekom om saam te lag.

“Die legendariese storieverteller bring nie net humor na Kalifornië nie, maar hoop vir die voortbestaan van ons taal, Afrikaans,” het Snyders gesê.

Snyders was veral verbaas omdat die jong garde sy vertoning soveel geniet het. Klaarblyklik het Tolla in 1998 na die Verenigde State gekom sonder om werklik te weet wat om te verwag. Hy was glo verbaas om te sien hoeveel Suid-Afrikaners in Kalifornië woon.

Tolla het opgetree in San Diego, Lancaster en ook in Hollywoord. Al drie vertonings was geweldig suksesvol.

Corri Rademeyers het in die Rapport berig dat“as Tolla se aanslag slaag kan hy dalk ‘n Afrikaanse weergawe van die naam Hollywood daar teen die berg laat aanbring Tollabos.”

Die meeste Suid-Afrikaners was verbaas oor Tolla so plat op die aarde was. Na elke vertoning het hy CDs verkoop en met die gehoor gemeng.

“Ek dink die mense het dit vreeslik waardeer dat Tolla agterna met hulle kom handeskud en gesels het,” het Snyders gesê. “Selfs al is hy die bekendste storieverteller in Suid-Afrika, en een wat die meeste in aanvraag is, het Tolla nog die dood gewone mens gebly.”

Die Afrikaanse-Amerikaners het dit vreeslik geniet om in letterlik Afrikaans te lag. “Julle is blerrie goed! Vir ‘n paar ure het ek weet tuis gevoel,” het Jacques Pieterse laat hoor. Tolla is bedank vir die “goud in die mond” en die “wonderlikste ondervinding wat ek nog gehad het in Amerika nogal!

Ene Ma Anna wat op besoek in Amerika was te bly om so baie Afrikaners in Amerika te ontmoet. “Ons kom al die pad vanaf Suid-Afrika om hier te kom konsert kyk, dit voel soos by die huis,” het sy gesê.

Tydens sy besoek het Tolla Disneyland en Kalifornië verken, asook die bekende Hollywood walk, Las Vegas en Mexico.

Tolla se CDs word al die afgelope twee jaar in die Verenigde State bemark.

When the African dream becomes a nightmare
Ilda Jacobs

The African safari was supposed to be the wildest adventure of an eleven year old American boy from Baltimore, Maryland. Unfortunately it turned into a incomprehensible nightmare for his friends and family.

Mark Garrity Shea died the most horrific death when a pack of hyenas at a game reserve in Botswana, reportedly dragged his body from his open tent. A safari is the realisation of the African dream for many street-smart city inhabitants.

But expectations differ from one person to the next. Ideals about the ultimate experience range from turning the safari into a theme park-like adventure, to being in close harmony with nature in wild Africa.

Safaris resemble the ultimate movie-experience, except that it could turn into the proverbial horror movie - a nightmare which has, and will, cost lives.

Why do fatal incidents occur?

Do tourists take solid advice to be bush legends? Is the loss of lives related to a lack of information or inadequate facilities to protect tourists? Accidents often seem to be the tourists' detrimental failure to realise the danger involved in your big adventure.

The recent incident in which Mark Garrity Shea was eaten by hyenas, has sparked off some controversy within the safari industry.

The budding young naturalist was on his second safari with his mother in Botswana. The boy and his mother were clients on a private tailor-made tour with Capricorn Safaris in the remote Xakanaxa region of the Moremi reserve. According to the U.S. State Department, Mark was attacked inside his tent but few additional details of the attack are known. His mother was sleeping in another tent, and she did not hear the attack.

A joint police and Department of Wildlife inquiry failed to ascertain whether or not the attack took place inside or outside the tent. It did not apportion any degree of blame or negligence to Capricorn Safaris, who has been an established operator with 16 years experience in the industry. This is the first fatality the company has had ever since it started operating in Maun, Botswana.

Director of Capricorn Safaris, Brigitte Hedges, told Travel Now magazine that the incident happened in an area known for its density of hyena, but they have never previously had such an incident.

Contrary to rumours circulating in the US, the hyenas did not frenziedly rip the tent apart to reach the youngster.

The likely scenarios are that the boy had either ignored advice to sleep with the tent flap firmly closed, or that he had heard the hyenas and opened the zip of his tent to go and investigate. His appearance outside could have sparked off the opportunistic attack. Lesley Kaye from Discover Africa Safaris based in Cleveland, Ohio, said the mother is entirely to blame.

"The word from Bots is that the mother was really bugging the guides of this overland trip to do all sorts of illegal things like bush walks at night with a flashlight. Against the guides instructions, she left her tent open at night and the hyenas went in and killed her son."

According to Ian Proctor from Ultimate Africa in Washington state, a specialist safari operator, it is not uncommon for a lion or any other animal to wander through the camp and lodge properties, as they are typically not fenced.

The Baltimore boy incident brought up a few issues about safety in general. A safari operator, who wishes to remain anonymous, said agents provide tourists with enough information, however, the guests arrive in Africa with no clues as to the potential dangers.

"TV/Theme parks have desensitized people to the dangers of Africa. They also live mundane lives back home and have to create that adrenaline rush in their own daily lives to get a kick/spark out of life. Then they transfer this pressure onto safari and their guide to try and get a thrill a minute."

"But no matter what we as the trade do, we cannot prevent people from doing stupid things like leaving their tents open at night." he said. David Bristow, the editor of the travel magazine Getaway, disagrees and says people are not warned nearly enough. If they are briefed, it doesn't penetrate too deeply, he said.

"Africa is full of wild animals that can eat you and will do if you give them half a chance," Bristow said. He previously worked in the Xakanaxa public camp site where the boy died.

"A good safari company will brief their clients pretty well on the do's and don'ts, but beyond that a [closed] tent is universally taken as being protection enough," he said.

Many guides do carry firearms for safety, although they do not guard open camps.

Safari operators believe it is not necessary as long as the guests stick by the rules.

Guests are normally escorted back to their tents at night and then they are zipped up and on their own. Most tents have a hooter where the guide can be summoned if the guest is concerned or needs help.

Angus Fraser from Fraser's African Destinations, said different operators have different rules regarding children. Personally he does not think that there is any need to restrict children from reserves.

Fraser is an experienced Safari Guide who knows of two middle-aged men who have lost their fingers to hyena merely from having their hands dangle out of the tents while they were asleep.

"I don't approve of a fully grown human being sleeping in an open tent," Fraser said.

He said Safari Guides do inform tourists about dangers involved, especially when in the bush, although most travel agents have never been on safari so they are clueless.

"What was the mother doing? Surely the mother and child were sharing a tent? Where was she when all of this took place?" Fraser asked.

He also thinks the mindset of tourists could create problems. "Most customers realise the dangers involved, however, occasionally an overflow of testosterone allows for the occasional incident." Fraser said. The travel operator who requested his name be withheld, says guests are safe at night if they are zipped up and remain in their tents.

"There has not been a death in a tented camps in Southern Africa in the last 30 years where someone was killed inside a closed tent." he said e believes the death of Mark Shea is negligence on the mothers' behalf. The Hotel and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) reportedly declined to comment on the incident.

The safari industry bookings are not affected by isolated incidents like the above, most of the safari operators said.

Most travelers, is generally believed, understand the risks involved with going on safari. The fact remains, in visiting remote wildlife and wilderness areas, you can never be a 100% certain of animals actions and that does not pertain to Africa only.

Features & Briefs

CAR BOMB IN CAPE TOWN
A car bomb exploded outside a shopping centre in the Cape Town suburb of Constantia at lunch time, slightly injuring a 10-year-old boy in a coffee shop and a man driving past, according to police spokesman Captain Etienne Terblanche.

Safety and Security Minister Steve Tshwete blamed the four-year-old group People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (PAGAD) and also linked it to a spate of other bombings that have shaken the city in the past three years, which, according to the police, number nearly 100.

SA REPORTER IN DC
Matheson Communications announced the arrival of Ilda Jacobs to their team. Matheson Communications, U.S. Representatives for Africa Eye News Service, recruited Ilda as part of their continuing commitment to provide opportunity for young journalists in South Africa to gain valuable experience abroad.
Ilda graduated from Rhodes University, Grahamstown, in November 1999 with an honors degree in Arts Journalism, Drama and Afrikaans-Dutch.
We want our readers to be the eyes and ears for Ilda as she fulfills their commitment to provide news coverage to South African newspapers, magazines and various news services.
Please don't hesitate to email us leads, story ideas and assistance.
Ilda is interested in a broad spectrum of stories, ranging from hard news to Africa or South African related information.

SA FARMERS KILLED
Johannesburg, Aug 9 - Six white farmers have been killed in various parts of South Africa over the past 11 days in a new wave of attacks farmers believe is an attempt to drive them off the land, reports said Wednesday.

In the most recent attack, the SAPA news agency said, 83-year-old Willie Marais and his 75-year-old wife Anna were shot dead Tuesday on their farm at Citrusdal, in the Western Cape.

Also on Tuesday, 45-year-old chicken farmer Derrick Keith died from his injuries after being attacked by four gunmen on his farm near Port Edward, in KwaZulu-Natal.

On Sunday, farmer Mario Theron, 72, was shot dead after he and his wife Leonie were overpowered while relaxing on their farm at Heilbron, in central Free State.

About 138 people were murdered on South African farms last year.

TEEN MISS SA GIVES BIRTH IN BATHROOM
Outgoing Miss Teen SA, 19-year-old Charnelle Dennis, gave birth to a baby on the bathroom floor of her parents' home in Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape.

She had managed to conceal her pregnancy from her parents and millions of viewers who watched her hand over her crown to the new Miss Teen SA three weeks ago, iol.co.za reported.

It was reported that Charnelle cut the umbilical cord herself

Her father, Neville Dennis, a minister in the Christian Assemblies church, and her mother, Maureen, threatened to sue Metro deejay Justice 'Just Ice' Ramahlola a fortnight ago after he announced on national radio on July 17 that the beauty queen was pregnant.

Charnelle's deception grew when Miss Teen SA organisers asked for a medical certificate. They were sent one, from a Uitenhage doctor dated July 19, stating that a pregnancy test was negative. But the doctor told a journalist this week that he was not sure if the woman he tested was Charnelle. He said the woman, not a regular patient, made an appointment and gave her name as Charnelle Dennis. No ID was requested.

Thanks to www.eep.co.za