Shemu is the Society’s quarterly newsletter, issued in January, April, July and October. Shemu is an Egyptian word meaning ‘harvest’. The rise of the Nile flood in July marked the New Year for ancient Egyptians and this, the first season from July to October, was called akhet (inundation), go be followed by peret (time of emergence) from November to February as the Nile waters subside. The final season from March to June was shemu, a word that came to mean ‘harvest’.
The TESSA newsletter is sent to members, relevant organisations and institutions in South Africa, the USA, UK and Egypt.
Non-member subscriptions can be arranged. Please e-mail the Secretary on scarab@telkomsa.net
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TESSA outing 21st November 2009
On Saturday 21 November, on a perfect summer’s day, a group of 45 TESSA members met up at the Oude Molen brandy distillery in Grabouw. This was the first stop of our “Egypt in the Overberg” day excursion. We were shown around most competently by the distillery’s PR person Janis Viljoen Dwarfed by the massive copper pot stills Big Bertha and Long Tom, she told us about the time-consuming and meticulous process of creating award-winning brandies. This was followed by a well-produced video on the history of Oude Molen and its founder René Santhagens, widely regarded as the “Father of South African brandy”. The visit ended with a brandy tasting, which some enjoyed more than others. But even though brandy may not be to everyone’s taste, all agreed that the experience of touring the impressive cellars was well worth it.
Janis Viljoen explaining the copper potstills to the group at Oude Molen
Brandy tasting at Oude Molen
We then traveled along the scenic Viljoenshoop Road with its fruit trees and rambling roses to Highlands Road Estate, our lunch venue set high
amongst the Elgin Valley hilltops. Here our Ancient Egyptian connection came into play: Rose and Mike Murray of Stanford had prepared for us
a very interesting display of faience shabtis and delicate jewelry pieces, passed down in the family from Rose’s great-uncle the British Egyptologist James Edward Quibell (1867 – 1935). His wife Annie Quibell had written a book on their experiences – A Wayfarer in Egypt(1925) – which could also be viewed, together with details of his main discoveries. Rose gave a short introduction to the exhibition, and said that she plans to undertake further research of which we’ll hopefully hear more at a future members’ talk.
Rose & Mike Murray with chairman Anthony Humphreys
Society Patron Keith Grenville with Doreen Davis & Roy Thorsen
After a tasting of the estate’s wines led by winemaker and owner Justin Hoy, we tucked into the delicious home-made lunch prepared by his wife Mary. We settled at tables under the willow trees at the edge of the farm dam, where we could just sit back and enjoy the panoramic views and peaceful atmosphere. The impromptu piano accordion and guitar music by Günther Komnick and David Wolfaardt added to the relaxed mood.
Enjoying lunch at Highlands Road Estate
Günther Komnick & David Wolfaardt making music. Photo by Gill Russell
At 3pm we backtracked along Viljoenshoop Rd to the expansive Lavenham Gardens, which were breathtakingly beautiful. The abundance of colours and varieties had everyone enthralled, and the gardening enthusiasts amongst us found new inspiration and ideas to take home. Owners Norma Bridgman and Bert Trouwen served us refreshing organic apple juice on their pergola-covered veranda. Bert had recently had a gallery exhibition of his paintings, and we visited his garden studio to view his bright and bold works.
A quiet corner at Lavenham
Norma Harris and Carol Humphreys
Getting the picture Just Right!
As we left to make our way back to Cape Town, one member was overheard saying: “I feel as though I’ve been on holiday for a week!” TESSA’s
annual countryside outing has already become a fixture in our diary, and we hope to continue it in 2010 and beyond.
Report by Lila Komnick. Photography by Günther Komnick & John Lombard.
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2009 Annual Day School
On Saturday, 25 July 2009 the society’s annual Day School took place; this year in the Chisholm Room at the College of Music. This year’s theme was “The Great Temples of Ancient Egypt”. Chairman Anthony Humphreys welcomed all members and visitors and introduced the first speaker Keith Grenville whose lecture was entitled ‘Abydos-Anatomy of a Temple’.
After a short break for refreshments Professor Humphreys presented ‘Time & Tide-The Story of the Temples at Abu Simbel’. The buffet lunch served in the usual place, the foyer of the Studio theatre and was as always, most enjoyable.
The third and last lecture of the day was presented by Keith and this time he entertained us with his often amusing lecture entitled ‘Philae – The House of Isis’. The day ended with the drawing of the raffle when some lucky members were able to choose a book from amongst the 5 being raffled.
From the left – Keith Grenville, Jean Smith, Anthony Humphreys, John Lombard
[Photography by Günther Komnick]
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22 November 2008 Swartland Outing
On Saturday 22 November a group of 55 TESSA members and friends set out for a visit to Malmesbury in the Swartland. The first stop was the farm of Lambert Vorster. He gave the group a short introduction and we could then browse amongst his vast collection of art and artifacts. He had built this up over many years of worldwide travel, including his international work in the petroleum industry.
Lambert had purchased his original Ancient Egyptian items at an auction in the Free State in 1996. Here the Newberry family farm Prynnsberg in the Clocolan district was auctioned together with its contents. The eldest Newberry daughter Winifred had married the well-known British archaeologist Guy Brunton, and the AE items were from his excavations in Egypt. Guy Brunton and other early 20th c. Egyptologists happen to be the subject of Lambert’s studies towards a DLitt et Phil in Ancient Near Eastern Studies.
At the Manor Restaurant in Malmesbury the group enjoyed a complimentary tasting of the local Black Ridge label wines. The tasting was led by Mr. Kobus Lambrechts, owner of Nassau Winery which produces these fine wines. Thereafter a delicious buffet lunch followed, and what a very generous spread we had!
After lunch we paid a short visit to the nearby historic Dutch Reformed Church built in1860, and then we proceeded to the local town museum. This is housed in a most attractive small building which was originally the town’s Jewish Synagogue, built in 1911.
Here the curator and archivist Mrs. Bebbie Keulder showed us around the many fascinating displays of photos and items linked to the town’s history. The wide collection ranges from old farming implements to antique silk and lace dresses. TESSA member Denise Bremridge gave additional information on the role of the building as a synagogue.
We ended the day with yet another spread of tea and tasty eats, provided by the museum. It had been a peaceful and relaxing day in the country, where we had experienced an interesting mix of Ancient Egyptian items and local Swartland history.
Report by Lila Komnick
The group with host Lambert Vorster [centre with blue shirt] on his Swartland farm
Helen O’Regan and Maureen Lith admiring part of Lambert’s collection
TESSA Field trip group photograph, taken at Hildenbrand Estate
On Saturday 10 November 2007 a group of 50 TESSA members, under the guidance of Anlen Boshoff, undertook a day trip to the towns of Paarl and Wellington in the Boland.
In Paarl we visited the Town Museum and the Steeple Church, and viewed the Gymnasium Primary School with its façade decorated with Ancient Egyptian symbols. The school was established by Rev Van der Lingen who had a deep interest in Ancient Egypt.
In Wellington we visited the Museum’s collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, mostly faience and jewellery pieces from the Amarna period. This collection was a gift to the head of the Huguenot University College in the 1930s. Lunch was enjoyed under the oak trees at the Hildenbrand Wine & Olive Estate, and included a wine and olive oil tasting presented by our host Reni Hildenbrand.
TESSA members enjoying lunch at the Hildenbrand Wine Estate. From left to right: Mollie Bailes, Edward George, Lillian George, Host Reni Hildenbrand, Denise Rossouw, Merle Greenwood, Maureen Lith, Norma Harris and David Wolfaardt.
Our last stop was the Egyptian gift shop ‘Arabesque’ in Wellington. Here we enjoyed complimentary tea before heading home at the end of a highly enjoyable and informative excursion.
Report by Lila Komnick
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Visit of Dr. Zahi Hawass
In August 2006, the Society was honoured to host the redoubtable Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.
Dr Zahi Hawass with The Egyptian Society Committee that arranged his visit in 2006: From left to right: Keith Grenville (then chairman and now patron), Mike Beaumont, Jane Mulder, Dr Zahi Hawass, Jean Smith, Shirley Beaumont and John Lombard.
The visit of Dr. Hawass marked and celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Society’s founding in 1996. The lecture tour started in Johannesburg where he gave a lecture at the Wits Great Hall on the 14th August. In Cape Town he delivered 2 lectures at the Baxter Theatre on the 16th and 17th August – both of which were sold out. After the first lecture a ‘Meet & Greet’ event was organised with the Mayor of Cape Town Helen Zille invited as guest of honour; the ‘Meet & Greet’ allowed members to meet our honoured guest Dr Hawass, who cheerfully posed for photographs with some of them.
Dr Zahi Hawass with Peter and Jane Mulder – members of the organising committee.
Dr Zahi Hawass (centre) with from left to right society members Jennifer Willoughby, Sheila Drewry, Jean Smith and Lila Komnick.
Photography by Günther Komnick
