Newsletter

Third Quarter

2007 

 

Note from the General Manager

Ladies and gentlemen, we are half way through 2007 and I am sure you all agree, its’ probably been one of the coldest winters for a long time. However Rand Club continues to be one of the hot places to be and the gradual increase in functions reflects this fact.

I am very excited about the future of the club and the committee and I have made great efforts in trying to present you with functions that will be attractive to all age groups. Some of the speakers who will be coming to the club before the end of the year are Gill Marcus, Tito Mboweni, Steve Mulholland, David Bullard, George Bizos and don’t forget the David Williams talk on El Alamein. This year celebrates the 65th anniversary of this historic battle and will definitely be a talk not to be missed.

As mentioned in my previous report, we are introducing a new sports, music and business lounge which will be ready at the end of August just in time for the Rugby World Cup and the Cricket Pro 20 World Cup which as most of you know is taking place here in South Africa. So now you have no excuse to stay at home to watch these events because they will all be televised live at your club and would be the perfect opportunity to bring your friends and colleagues to see our wonderful establishment, which in my opinion is getting better every day.

I have managed to coordinate with 360° Entertainment to bring one of the best upcoming jazz entertainers to Rand Club. Estelle Kokot and her trio will be entertaining on the evening of Friday 31st August. Estelle was born in England of Afrikaans Diplomatic parents and she has now come back to her home country to promote her new album, “Information”. As a composer and pianist Estelle has performed her music from the Jazz Clubs of South Africa to the Barbican and Royal Festival Hall in London, as well as various European Jazz Festivals. Estelle has also just been nominated for a 2007 South African Music Award (SAMA) in the category of Best Jazz Vocal album. I am hoping that this will kick start jazz events being held at the club on a monthly basis.

One might ask how we keep you informed of all these events. You have all received emails and SMS’s concerning events taking place at your club but you can also see what is happening on the Rand Club website, www.randclub.co.za I ask you to please use this website as much as possible. The site will keep you well informed of all that takes place at your club and you can also make use of booking for a function on line. Parking, as you are all aware, can sometimes be an issue when you come and use the club. We have had an agreement with Surrey House for quite some time but unfortunately, members have not made good use of this facility. I have therefore tried to simplify the present arrangement with Surrey House as follows. When you use the club for lunch, please show the waiter your parking ticket and he will give you a voucher to the value of R10 which you must present to the Surrey House parking attendants when you leave the parking area. Please note that the R10 voucher will cover two hours of parking only. Any time over and above two hours will be for your own account. 

We have also had a rethink of the corporate membership that was previously on offer. If you or a colleague is interested in corporate membership, please give me a call and I will gladly explain the benefits and advantages that corporate membership of Rand Club will bring to their company. 

Until next time, take care and I look forward to seeing you in the club soon.

Robby

Inside the clubhouse

SURREY HOUSE

LUNCHTIME PARKING

Parking in Surrey House is still available during lunchtime, for two hours only. Please show the waiter your parking ticket and he will give you a voucher to the value of R10 which you must present to the Surrey House parking attendants when you leave the parking area. Please note that the R10 voucher will cover two hours of parking only. Any time over and above two hours will be for your own account. 

This facility is for members only. There is additional parking within walking distance of the club at Beyers Naude Square & Gandhi Square, for members’ guests. 

Parking for special functions can be arranged through our Catering offices 

DRESS RULES

A reminder to members that the minimum requirement of dress is –

Gentlemen - traditional African dress (including Nehru collars), throughout the club.

Smart Casual – open necked long/short sleeved shirts.

T-shirts of any kind, jeans, leather jackets, golf shirts, trainers and/or shorts are not acceptable.

Ladies dress is Smart Casual. 

Members are reminded to ensure that their guests are made aware of the Dress Rules when visiting the Club.

Dress code for special functions will be specified in the newsletter 

A REMINDER to all members that a requirement of the Clubs Act is that member's must sign their guests in when entering the premises. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. 

MEMBERS POST,

MESSAGES & LIBRARY BOOKS

Members notice is drawn to the fact that all mail, newspapers, messages, periodicals etc, will in future be left in the alphabetical cubby holes beneath the main notice board. They will no longer be left at the Porters Lodge.

One of the Rand Club's favorite pictures, that of Annigoni’s Queen Elizabeth ll was destroyed in the fire of June 2005. Thanks to the generosity and efforts of member Dick Foxton, a superb new reproduction of the Annigoni was arranged through Buckingham Palace and Dick presented it to the Club.

The unveiling of the Annigoni portrait of Queen Elizabeth ll was done on 8 June with brief addresses by Chairman Peter Briggs, Dick Foxton and former Chairman Ivor Sander (on the history of the painting). The portrait now takes pride of place in the Milner Lounge.

Reciprocal news

The Rand Club has established reciprocal relations with The Royal Society of Medicine Club in London. This club has accommodation at their own 40 bedroomed hotel – Domus Medica and another 18 rooms at their nearby luxury hotel Chandos House. They have a RSM library with 500 000 volumes and 22 PC workstations. They also have a superb 300 seat lecture theatre, a Members restaurant and a Common room.

The Chicago Athletic Association – is undergoing a period of transformation. The club will be closed from 28 May 2007 for at least 18-24 months for renovations. 

The University Club of Toronto’s bedroom floor will be undergoing renovations and will be temporarily closed from June 1st 2007 until October 5th 2007. The Dining Rooms will also be temporarily closed from July 1st 2007 to the end of August 2007, for renovations as well.

Rand Club Members visiting Inanda Club

Inanda Club requires any new members visiting Inanda Club, to either have a letter of intro or an Inanda /Rand Club card. Should you not have a Rand Club/Inanda card, please inform Roanne

********

As from 1 July 2007, East India Club premises in London will be a non-smoking environment. 

**********

Sloane Club London now has a new policy in place where they may only accept affiliated member’s guest bookings as long as they are accompanied by the affiliated member and have a valid letter of introduction to cover the member and their guest.

Berlin Capital Club will be closed from Friday, July 20th, 2007 until Sunday, August 19th, 2007 for the summer break.

Remember: Roanne does all the reciprocity bookings, so please call her when next planning a visit to any one of the 130 reciprocity clubs worldwide.

Library News

For many members the Library is the focal point of their visit to the club and we would encourage all members to make use of it. Our Librarian Mrs Jenny Brand, is in the Library on Wednesdays & Fridays from 9:30am to 1:30pm. The Library Committee meets every second month in order to select new books both non-fiction and fiction. If a particular title is not available when you visit, please leave a note for Jenny and she will look into it.

The following periodicals are available in the Main Library

Newspapers—Business Day, The Citizen, Mail & Guardian, The Star, International Express & Sunday Telegraph. 

Magazines—Africa Birds & Birding, Africa Geographic, Car, Financial Mail, Men’s Health, Newsweek, The Economist, The Spectator, Time & Private Eye.

The following books have been added to our Library

FICTION

The Gospel according to Judas by Benjamin Iscariot Jeffrey Archer

Arthur and George Julian Barnes

Green-eyed thieves Imraan Coovadia

A thousand splendid suns Khaled Hosseini

Measuring the world Daniel Kehlmann

The Road Cormac McCarthy

Blenheim Orchard Tim Pears

Knots and Crosses Ian Rankin

The good husband of Zebra Drive Alexander McCall Smith

Tomorrow Graham Swift

NON-FICTION

Odyssey to freedom George Bizos

After Tamerlane John Darwin

Crossing the borders of power Colin Eglin

The eye Simon Ings

The story of earth and life T. McCarthy & B Rubidge

The Arab mind Raphael Patai

A Soldier-Artist in Zululand David Rattray

The fox and the flies Charles van Onselen

DONATIONS

Butterflies of the Table Mountain Range AJM Claassens & CGC Dickson

Cape Dutch Houses C Jansen

“Alexander, I love you” Jon Swift (Donated by the Brenthurst Library)

The Library, from time to time receives donations of books. Due to severe limitations on space and shelving, the Library Committee has been forced to limit the accepted donations of books to books of historical interest and contemporary importance. Whilst all donations are much appreciated, those that fall outside these categories of donations will have to made over to an appropriate charity

LENDING LIBRARY

Books withdrawn from the Lending library are being offered to the members at R5.00 per book. Watch for these books displayed on trestle tables outside the Billiard Room. Register for books taken with David Lobban at the Porter?s Lodge.

Clubs within the club!
50 CLUB GATHERING EVERY SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH IN TOMMY'S BAR

WINNERS

Our Draw in June 2007 went to:

1st Prize R 1 713.00 T. Fearnhead*

2nd Prize R 6 8 5.00 I.G. Erasmus*

3rd Prize R 3 43 .00 B.W. O’Keeffe*

Attendance Prize R 3 43.00 W.R. Weeks

*carried forward

WINNERS

Our Draw in July 2007 went to:

1st Prize R 2 820.00 P.R. Duck

2nd Prize R 1 129.00 C.V. Dean*

3rd Prize R 5 64 .00 R. Pickavance

Attendance Prize R 564.00 JT. Fearnhead

*carried forward

100 CLUB GATHERING EVERY FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH IN THE MAIN BAR

WINNERS

Our Draw in June 2007 went to:

1st Prize R 5 400.00 M.E. Smith*

2nd Prize R 2 160.00 D.I. Wallace*

3rd Prize R 1 080.00 H.G. Howes*

Attendance Prize R 1 080.00 A. Fair

*carried forward

WINNERS

Our Draw in July 2007 went to:

1st Prize R 9 170.00 G.P.L. Kell*

2nd Prize R 3 668.00 D.G. John

3rd Prize R 1 834.00 A.K. Sutcliffe

Attendance Prize R 1 834.00 K. Martyn

*carried forward

MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS ARE REMINDED

CELLPHONES ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BE USED IN THE CLUB - PLEASE SWITCH THEM OFF ON ENTERING THE PREMISES

Upcoming functions of clubs within the club & future functions

The Rand Club History Association meets on the last Thursday of every second month. 12h00 for 12h45 — Bookings essential with Colleen in catering 

Next meeting Date: 27TH September 2007

Guest Speaker: John Sampson, 

Topic: The Battle of Britain: Secret Weapon.

Dress code: Jacket and Tie

Food supplied will be soup, sandwiches and wine

Member and guest costs will be charged to members house account.

***************

NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS & MEMBERS/CANDIDATES LUNCHEONS

FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH

Dates for 2007

4 September, 2 October, 6 November,4 December

RAND CLUB BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT SOCIETY

First Monday of each month. Meet at 12:30 for drinks/networking, followed by a single course lunch, wine and coffee, which will be served at 13:00.

Price: R75 per head.

Rand Club Members and guests are most welcome.

Booking essential with Colleen in catering

****************

Future functions

RAND CLUB 120TH COMMEMORATIVE BALL

10 November 2007 – 7:30 for 7:45pm

Cost R250.00p/p - 3 course meal (excluding drinks)

Dress: Black Tie

Don’t miss the opportunity of celebrating your club’s 120th birthday. A night to dine & dance in style. A live musical entertainer will entertain you with wonderful music during the evening.

Sunday Carvery dates for 2007

2 SEPTEMBER, 7 OCTOBER, 4 NOVEMBER AND 2 DECEMBER

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING at 1:45 -Main Dining Room – 20 NOVEMBER 2007 SEASONAL CONCERT WITH THE JOHANNESBURG BRASS BAND 13 DECEMBER 2007 MEMBERS ANNUAL SPECIAL CHRISTMAS LUNCH 14 DECEMBER 2007

Due to the success of our first Poker Evening held in June Rand Club will now be holding a Poker Evening on the last 

Thursday of each month from 17h00 for you to bring your friends and colleagues to enjoy what is the fastest growing sport in the world!

SECRETARIES DAY LUNCH

5 September 2007—12:30 for 1pm

Cost R129.50 p/p, 3 course meal excluding drinks. There will also be live entertainment.

The time of year where you can really show your secretary just how much you appreciate her! Home made chocolates will be on sale!

********************

VIENNESE EVENING SPONSORED BY KPMG

13 September 2007 – 7:15 for 7:45 pm

Cost R150.00 p/p (3 course dinner excluding wine & drinks)

Dress: Dark Lounge suite

Entertainment: Adrian Ignat and the Vienna String Quartet

The annual Viennese dinner with the Vienna String Quartet will be gracing your ears with their beautiful music.

********************

ANNUAL SCOTTISH EVENING

19 October 2007-7:15 for 8:00

Cost R269.50 p/p excluding drinks (price includes R70 for entertainment)

Dress code: Kilt or Black Tie 

Once again Mr. Willy McClure will entertain us to a splendid Scottish evening - the haggis will be piped in and form part of the sumptuous dinner. Don kilts; invite your friends and join us for an evening of fun and dancing!

********************

GUEST SPEAKERS

LUNCH WITH PROFESSOR GILL MARCUS-Independent chairperson of ABSA Group and ABSA Bank – successor to Dr Cronjé of ABSA group & ABSA bank 20 September 2007 12:15 for 12:30

Cost R125.00 p/p (2 course meal with 2 glasses of wine)

TOPIC – Professor Marcus will be speaking on a topic of her choice.

********************

LUNCH WITH GEORGE BIZOS

25 September 2007 12:15 for 12:30

Cost R125.00 p/p (2 course meal with 2 glasses of wine)

TOPIC -“The Gales of War” & “Access to Justice”

LUNCH WITH MR TITO MBOWENI

Governor of the SA Reserve Bank 16 October 2007 12:15 FOR 12:30

Cost: R125.00 p/p (2 course meal with 2 glasses of wine

TOPIC: Mr Mboweni will be speaking on a topic of his choice

LUNCH WITH DAVID WILLIAMS

26 October 2007 12:15 for 12:30

Cost R125.00 p/p (2 course meal with 2 glasses of wine)

TOPIC - The 65th Anniversary of the start of the Battle of El Alamein, October 1942 - Drawing on recent research, .... at the start David Williams revisits the battle that turned the tide for the Allies in World War 2 - and in which South African forces played an important role. General Dan Pienaar, OC of the 1st SA Division, said in a special order of the day before the battle began on October 23, 1942: "This is a war-winning battle. It is going to be the greatest battle ever fought in Africa."

Early booking is essential. WW2 veterans are especially welcome and are invited to wear their medals.

PLEASE NOTE ! any member wishing to book for an event must do so in writing to the Rand Club via fax on 011 834 1247 or email to catering@randclub.co.za

Chef's Corner

Hello again,

Already we are halfway through the year and with all the promotions and specials your club is running its becoming an eventful year. On the odd occasion I receive a request for Guinea Fowl and every time without fail, we prepare it in a Smitain sauce, why, I have no idea. In years gone by the Guinea Fowl used were wild and usually obtained from a hunter. Today Guinea Fowl are semi-domesticated and are reared for the table. The best age for the bird is 8-9 weeks. At this stage it will be 1.2kg’s dressed weight, but has a much heavier bone structure than a chicken and much less meat content. A bird of this size will on be sufficient for 2 people. A recipe for Chicken and Pheasant would also suit Guinea Fowl.

Recipe

Breast of Guinea Fowl with Tomatoes and Spring Onions -4 portions

Guinea Fowl breast 4

Tomatoes 3

Spring Onion 2 bunches

Salt & Pepper To taste

Oil 2tsp

Butter 50g

Shallots finely chopped 2

Clove of garlic crushed ½

Dry white wine 120ml

Chicken stock 300ml

Tarragon leaves ½ tsp

chopped

Method

Remove skin and sinew from each breast. Blanche tomatoes, skin and de-seed, saving the skin and the seed for the sauce. Cut the flesh into small neat dice. Trim the spring onion of their roots and pull off any outer leaves. Cut off the white parts to about 4cm and discard the green tops. Blanche the onions in boiling salt water for 15 seconds, refresh and drain. Lightly season the breasts. Heat the oil and 15g of butter in a frying pan. When this is sizzling, place the breast in the sizzling oil and butter, skin side down, and fry gently for 5 minutes, browning lightly. Turn the breasts over and continue frying for a further 5 minutes. Once cooked, remove the breast from the pan and keep warm. Tip off the fat and add 15g of the butter and quickfry the onions, browning slightly. Remove from pan and keep warm. Add the chopped shallots and garlic and lightly fry for about 30 seconds. Pour in the white wine and add the tomato seeds and skin. Reduce the heat until the wine has almost evaporated, pour in the stock and reduce heat until only 300ml remains.

To serve – add juices that have run from the breast and the onions in an oven heated to 230?C for 2 minutes to re-heat. Strain the sauce through a muslin cloth onto the diced tomatoes and tarragon leaves. Bring sauce to the boil, remove from heat and add remaining butter, shaking the pan continuously until butter has melted. Slice breast into 5-6 thick slices. Spoon a little sauce onto the centre of each plate and arrange the sliced breast on top. Place 5 spring onions evenly around the sliced breast and spoon the remaining sauce over and around the Guinea Fowl.

Bon Appetit!

Your Chef,

Tom Couper

LUNCHTIME SPECIALS @ YOUR CLUB FOR AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2007

AUGUST 2007

1st - 3rd - Scots Pie with Beans and Creamed Potatoes

6th - 10th - Marinated Pork tenderloin

13th -17th - Shepard’s Pie and Peas

20th - 24th - Spicy crumbed Pork Loin Chops with Red Cabbage

27th - 31st - Baked garlic Salmon with Oriental Wild Rice Pilaf

** Please note that the 9th August is a public holiday and the club will be closed. **

WINES & MALT - lunchtime specials for weekdays Monday to Friday only

White – Ross Gower Sauvignon Blanc @ R74.50 p/b Normal price - R119.00 p/b

Red – Viljoensdrift Cabernet Sauvignon @ R68.50 p/b Normal price - R120.00 p/b

Whisky – J & B @ R4.00 per tot Normal price - R9.00 per tot

SEPTEMBER 2007

3rd - 7th - Old English Steak & Kidney Pie

10th - 14th - Beef butt Baby Chicken

17th - 21st - Seafood platter (Prawns, Mussels, Calamari, Line Fish)

25th - 28th - Pot roasted Beef and Vegetables

WINES & MALT - lunchtime specials for weekdays Monday to Friday only

French Wine-White – Bouchard Aîné & Fils Chardonnay 2001 @ R100.50 p/b Normal price - R121.00 p/b

French Wine-Red - Bouchard Aîné & Fils Merlot 2001 @ R88.00 p/b Normal price - R106.00 p/b

Whisky – Bells @ R3.50 p/tot Normal price - R8.00 p/ tot 

Don’t forget to place your Ham and Turkey orders for December 2007 with Arthur in Catering in writing via fax on 011 834 1247 or email to catering@randclub.co.za

Advertisment's

Development Promotions (Pty) Ltd. "DP" was formed in 1972 and is a private company registered in South Africa. DP specialises in the promotion and marketing of travel products, on a representation or General Sales Agency basis, for international travel suppliers such as various Airlines, Cruise companies, Hotel groups, Tour Programmes and Tourism Boards.

Airlines

Offering competitive fares from South Africa via Europe to 144 Domestic & 138 International USA destinations. Offering flights throughout Finland, Helsinki, Europe, USA, Canada & Asia. Flights from South Africa.

An Airpass within Europe @ USD99.00 per flight segment, 25 Airlines - 150 Cities in 30 Countries

Cruising

Among these major Cruise Companies we represent - the whole world covered!

 From the Arctic to the Antarctic you will be spoiled for choice in deciding which Ocean  or River you would like to explore (and indulge your senses in).  Whether you are celebrating an Anniversary, Birthday, Honeymoon, or just to relax and be pampered - cruising is the perfect getaway, as virtually everything is included in the price. Cruising is also ideal for Families, as all needs are catered for. For something a little different - inland cruising along the Canals and Rivers of Europe on a luxury River Vessel or a Hotel Barge is a must. Or indulge your passions for golf, music, art, theatre, food & wine and so much more with a wide variety of Theme Cruises.

Apt Worldwide, Captain Cook Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, GAP Adventures, Go Barging, Hurtigruten, Imaginative Traveller, Oceania Cruises, Peter Deilmann Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Silja Line.

 

Adventure

With our small group tours we have the ultimate Adventure just for you. We find places to stay that offer comfort, variety & often a totally unique experience. From locally run hotels to palaces, jungle tree houses & 5 star mud huts - all chosen carefully to enhance your travel experience.

Our tours are timed perfectly, we get you there at the right time to avoid the crowds & we take you to places you wouldn't find in a guidebook.

Worldwide

Qantas Holidays: Presents an exciting range of accommodation, transfers, sightseeing and tours across the world.

Destinations covered are Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific, Asia, the USA, Canada, Britain & Europe.

World Hotels: With almost 500 member Hotels in over 250 destinations and 65 countries. Offering Deluxe, First class and Comfort style Hotels. Easily booked on www.worldhotels.com 

Finland: Lapland packages available.

Tourism Ireland provides a wealth of information and brochures on holidays to Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland.

Advertisements
Rand Club

FRIDAY AUGUST 31st

THE MAIN DINING ROOM – 19.30 for 20.00

Jazz Sensation “ESTELLE KOKOT LIVE”

3 COURSE MEAL – Drinks Excluded

R250 per person

UK born South African singer, composer and pianist Estelle Kokot has played from the Jazz Clubs of South Africa to the Barbican and the Royal Festival Hall in London as well as various European Jazz Festivals. She’s also one of the first women to perform at Kippies Jazz Club at the Market Theatre Newtown, in the mid eighties.

Estelle made her debut with South African Jazz Super Group Phambili and went on to guest regularly with South African World Music Stars before joining Rush Hour in 1988. Not long after joining Rush Hour they finalised a record deal with Umkhonto, part of RPM. The album The Perfect Way, which Kokot co-wrote the title track with Avzal Ismail, is still available via Gallo Africa and has a few bonus tracks added.

The album topped the charts on Radio Stations in South Africa and there after they performed the Club and Concert circuits.

Estelle has also taught extensively in the jazz vocal field focusing her energies on production and song writing techniques and retained a post, in 1989, as vocal coach at The Pretoria Technikons Jazz Department for 5 years.

In 1990 Estelle went solo and did a variety of projects which included doing a daring bass and vocal duo with John Rautenbach called “No place to Hide.” Several full house runs at Kippies Jazz Club with Canadian Trumpeter Bruce Cassidy and South African Saxophonist Mike Makhalemele. Feature spots at five Big Band Jazz Galas at Pretoria’s State Theatre, and several guest spots with Barney Rachebane and Victor Ntoni at the A Train Jazz Club in Soweto.

In 1991 Estelle opened Kalk Bay Supper Club Theatre “Eauver (over) The Top” for proprietor and actor (7de Laan) Chris van Niekerk. He primarily created the venue around Estelle to showcase her dramatic and intense performances. The one woman show called ‘From the Blues to Brazil and Beyond ', was an intense and intimate evening with Estelle on piano and voice, taking the listener on a musical journey, singing certain standards in the Blues, Modern and Brazilian idiom as well as her own compositions.

In mid 1993 Estelle Kokot relocated to the United Kingdom to further her musical quest. She has since performed and played in many well known London and European Jazz Clubs and Festivals and is a well respected figure on the London Music Scene, not only as a musician in her own right, but also as an educator of music.

What started out as ‘From the Blues to Brazil and Beyond’ graduated to ‘Beyond Belief’ on a return visit to South Africa after relocating to London, the show toured South Africa for 3 years, receiving rave reviews and an opportunity to perform at the Grahamstown and Windybrow Arts Festivals in South Africa in 1993. ‘‘Beyond Belief’’ was also performed at the famous “Pizza Express Jazz Club” in Dean Street and at various other Jazz Clubs, Festivals and Theatres on the European circuit.

Estelle is now back in South Africa and is touring to promote her new album “Information”. This album has just been nominated for a 2007 South African Music Award (SAMA) in the category of Best Jazz Vocal album.

As Guy Henderson - Senior Vice President International of Sony ATV says: “Estelle is a world class pianist, singer and composer. She is totally unique and brings warmth and heart to her music that captures the imagination of all who hear her.” 

Book with Catering on fax no: 011 834 1247 or email: colleen@randclub.co.za

Welcome to the club new members

J.C. Brower

C.D.A. North
I.C. Davey
C.F.N. Todd
D.M. Pretorius
D.P. Anderson
C.D. Priebatsch
H.A. Evans
T.V. Lefatle
Hon C.D. Douglas-Hamilton
Dr. K. Pather
M. Vogelzang
M.J. O’Brien
R.F. Metelerkamp
Obituary

It is with sadness that we report the death of one of our staff members Assistant Chef

Walter Makwarela

who passed away in May 2007

He will be greatly missed.

Remember yesteryear
INITIALS ON HIS BOILED EGGS

Clubs seem to attract people who become ‘characters’, and a body of anecdote has grown in the Rand Club about some of its own eccentric members, not all of them completely lovable people, but every one unusual in some way or another.

Captain ‘Boy’ Ironside was one of the clubs most controversial personalities. Captain Ironside was a man who lived at the club for many years but was always criticising it. He complained perpetually about the food, the service and the accommodation, and was known once to refer to the club as a ‘pot house’. During the racing season in Durban he stayed at the Durban Club.

He chose Kimberley club as his home club as (he pretended Rand Club was not up to his standards). In spite of this he lived in the club for over thirty years. At one time he distrusted the amenities of the kitchen so much that he had a standard arrangement with a farmer friend of his for a regular supply of fresh eggs, each one being stamped with the captain’s initials—so that there would be no mistake at table. Once, during the First World War, Captain Ironside told a German-speaking member of the club that he had an infernal cheek to use the club’s facilities. The poor man was so hurt he did not go near the club for years. 

This cantankerous, albeit colourful member had another eccentricity: he is said to have blackballed every proposed new member simply as a matter of course, perhaps of principle. He insisted on cleaning his own shoes and left instructions that when he died his body was to be used for medical purposes.

A story that he once performed an appendix operation on himself is fairly generally discounted. Yet there was a much softer side to the Captain. Over the years, and without fuss, he contributed handsomely to deserving charities, as well as performing other kindnesses to individuals.

Members Please Note

When paying via electronic transfer or a direct deposit into Rand Club’s account please reflect your membership number and send us a copy of the deposit as proof of payment via fax on 011 834 1247