1
SAARP SOCIAL SERVICES
NEWSLETTER
Number 113
February 2016
adding life to your years
THE WINNERS
On the 11th of December 2015 we distributed a special newsletter requesting
people to update their e–mail addresses by the 15th of February 2016 and
promising a lucky draw for two demonstration Alcatel cellphones.
Congratulations to the two winners:
Mr GD Theilig of Bellville
Mrs ML Woods of Germiston
WATER IS LIFE – SAVE IT
Across the Riebeek Valley I can see a wind farm standing idle due to no wind.
Next to it is our water supply dam, almost empty, resulting in the Swartland
being declared a disaster area with severe water restrictions having been
introduced.
Meanwhile politicians, scientists and commercial interests prattle on about
future CO2 emissions. I wonder which will kill us first: to much CO2 or too little
H2O?
SAARP NEWS
WILLS – An essential service
Our membership base consists of people over the age of 50 years, but in
common with the rest of humanity, we should all have a valid WILL if we want to
diminish trauma and organise the assets we leave in an orderly and cost
effective manner as speedily as possible.
Due to changes that occur in all our lives all the time, the information which was
furnished when we compiled our wills has probably changed over time, which
means our WILL should also be reviewed on a regular basis.
We understand that the cost involved in compiling or changing a WILL, and
particularly the cost of executing the estate in the event of death, can be
substantial. This means that benefits from the estate to the surviving spouse
and other heirs can be substantially reduced by the costs levied by the
executing party who is finalising the estate.
2
Being aware of this and taking account of the fact that it has always been our
aim to save members money, SAARP is now able to offer you the compilation if a
WILL at no cost, and the execution of the WILL at substantially reduced costs
– providing a bigger inheritance to your heir/s.
At the same time, as co-executors of your WILL, SAARP will try to ensure that
the estate is finalised in the shortest possible time.
We believe it is in your interest to look closely at your WILL, where it is in
safekeeping, and what the cost of executorship is in terms thereof.
If you are not 100% at peace with what you currently have in this regard,
contact us for a free professional review, a new WILL, free safekeeping and a
guaranteed executors discount.
For more information e-mail [email protected] and we will contact you.
SOCIAL MEDIA – SAARP has “weakened”
We are in the 21st Century, at last, and represented on the social media
mentioned below.
The following details from our Non-Executive Director, Helen Szemerei, will
help you to join us in this Century:
Ray
As per your request kindly find below the links to the SAARP Social Media
pages:
LinkedIn (SAARP) - https://www.linkedin.com/company/saarp
Facebook (SAARP) - https://www.facebook.com/SAARP-
937337743013224/?ref=hl
Twitter (SAARPZA) - https://twitter.com/SAARPZA
Users can either use this link and click through to each page or alternatively
search the name as indicated in brackets above. Once they have accessed these
pages, they can merely follow the ’like’ or ‘follow’ instruction which is a simple
click. These buttons are very clearly indicated on each of the respective social
media pages. I look forward to seeing more followers and the engagement of
members on these platforms.
Helen
SOCIAL CLUB NEWS
CONGRATLATIONS – John Young, Umhlanga Chairman
John has just celebrated his 90th birthday. He was born in Luton in England in
1926 and married Joan there in 1957. That means they have passed the 58th
wedding anniversary. All at Umhlanga hope, as I do, that he will continue as
chair. I have good news as, at the previous KZN reginal meeting, he and Hamish
MacCleod, the vice chair and treasurer, said that when they’d asked each other
3
why they are still doing this they agreed that it was because they enjoyed it.
Full marks to both of them.
CAPE NATURE - Discounts
I have signed an agreement with Western Cape Conservation Board trading as
Cape Nature that gives all our members countrywide a 30% discount at any of
the 70 Cape Nature reserves in the Boland, West Coast and Garden Route
accommodation facilities. Any club wishing to have an event in one of the
reserves can arrange the event through us and get a 50% discount.
John Benwell
Managing Director
SAARP HOLIDAY CLUB
The following are examples of discounted off-peak holidays which our Holiday
Club has on offer for you and your families. To book phone Renske on 021 592
1279.
RESORT AREA DATE UNIT PRICE
Royal Atlantic Sea Point 15-19 Aug 1 bedroom R1 425
Royal Atlantic Sea Point 15-19 Aug 2 bedroom R1 710
Inverness Sea Point 15-19 Aug 1 bedroom R1 140
Suntide Winklespruit Upper south coast 15-19 Aug 1 bedroom R1 140
Suntide Margate Margate 22-26 Aug 1 bedroom R1 710
Magaliespark Hartbeespoort 20-24 June 2 bedroom R1 710
Dunkeld country est Dullstroom 20-24 June 1 bedroom R1 425
Waterberg game park Bosveld 20-24 June 2 bedroom R1 710
Riviera on vaal Gauteng 20-24 June 1 bedroom R1 425
Cayley lodge Drakensberg 20-24 June 2 bedroom R1 710
Kiara lodge Clarens 20-24 June 1 bedroom R1 425
Silversands Durban 18-23 July 1 bedroom R1 140
Dolphin view Umdloti 18-22 July 1 bedroom R1 140
Umhlanga cabanas Umhlanga 25-29 July 2 bedroom R1 710
NOTE 1: The above prices include 14% VAT.
NOTE 2: The price is for the entire period.
NOTE 3: All cancellations must be made 10 (ten) weeks before check-in
date.
PAYMENT: SAARP’s bank details are given below for your
deposits/transfers are:
Bank: ABSA Cape Town
4
Bank Code: 632 005
Account name: SAARP
Account No: 405 745 1765
Please provide proof of payment using one of the following:
Fax: 021 592 1284
E-mail: [email protected]
And remember to quote your ID Number and name.
HEALTH
FLU – Try to ward it off
To protect yourself against flu get vaccinated. Even though a flu vaccine is only
50 to 60 percent effective it does protect you against severe complications.
Studies suggest drinking green tea can help protect against flu as it contains
catechins, a type of antioxidant that can help protect against flu. Wash your
hands regularly as this can reduce the flu risk by up to 75 percent. Viruses
survive on surfaces for up to eight hours so touching doorknobs or countertops
and then then your mouth or nose enables the virus to enter your respiratory
tract.
AARP Bulletin December 2015
Apart from doorknobs and countertops here are some other virus traps:
1. Restaurant Menus
2. Lemon Wedges on drinks
3. Condiment Dispensers
4. Restroom Door Handles
5. Soap Dispensers
6. Grocery Carts
7. Airplane Bathrooms
8. Doctors' Offices
Do read the article here:
http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-03-2011/8-germiest-
places.html?intcmp=DSO-SEARCH-AARPSUGG-HEA-germs-public-places#slide1
LONGEVITY - Book clubs just as important as fitness
Taking part in social activities such as book clubs or church groups after
retirement makes people live longer and appears to be as important to health as
exercise, according to new research. A retired person’s risk of death is
dramatically lowered if they take part in such groups in the first few years
after stopping working, a study has found – suggesting that future retirees
should pay as much attention to keeping active socially as they do to planning
their finances and maintaining their physical health.
5
If a person belonged to two social groups before retirement and kept this up
over the following six years, their risk of death was just 2 per cent, the study
found. However, the risk rose to 5 per cent if they gave up one membership and
12 per cent if they gave up membership of both. The researchers said social
groups could be defined as anything which a person sees as “an important part
of their identity”, from book clubs to church groups through to tennis club
memberships or involvement in trade unions. The study also examined how
changes in exercise levels after retirement affected a person’s risk of death –
and found that the impact was the same as giving up membership of social
groups. Those who exercised vigorously once a week before retirement and
continued to do so afterwards had a 3 per cent risk of death, rising to 6 per
cent if they exercised less than once a week and 11 per cent if they stopped
altogether.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-
news/social-activities-such-as-book-clubs-just-as-important-as-fitness-to-help-
you-live-longer-says-study-a6875596.html
HAPPINESS - People aged 65 to 79 'happiest of all'
The survey of more than 300,000 adults across the UK found life satisfaction,
happiness and feeling life was worthwhile all peaked in the 65 to 79 age bracket,
but declined in the over-80s.
Those aged 45 to 59 reported the lowest levels of life satisfaction, with men on
average less satisfied than women. That age group also reported the highest
levels of anxiety. Researchers said one possible reason for the lower happiness
and well-being scores among this age group might be the burden of having to
care for children and elderly parents at the same time. The struggle to balance
work and family commitments might also be a factor, they said. Meanwhile,
those who were younger or retired had more free time to spend on activities
which promoted their well-being, the researchers suggested. The "U-shaped"
pattern of happiness, which sees people's happiness dip in middle age, has been
observed globally.
The published results have been broken down by age, ethnicity, religion, marital
status, employment status, religion, and where in the country people live.
They suggested:
Married people had the highest levels of happiness.
People with jobs were happier than unemployed people, with part-time
workers the happiest.
Of those who followed a religion, Hindus were marginally the happiest
on average, followed by Christians and Sikhs, while those who followed
no religion were the least happy
6
Women on average reported higher levels of anxiety than men, but
were more likely report better wellbeing and feel their life was
worthwhile
People of Arab ethnicity were found to be the most anxious ethnic
group, with people of Chinese ethnicity the least anxious
Northern Ireland held on to the crown for happiest of the UK's
nations, with people there also most satisfied and most likely to say
their life was worthwhile
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35471624
FOOD
SIX FOODS A TOP FOOD POISONING EXPERT WON’T EAT
Seattle attorney Bill Marler has represented many victims who were
hospitalized or, in several tragic cases, died from eating tainted food.
Seeing the worst side of foodborne illness has made Marler extremely careful
about what he eats. There are six foods he never eats:
Raw sprouts. Shun all sprouts — alfalfa, bean, clover and radish — when you see
them on the salad bar, or added to sandwiches. Sprout seeds need warm, humid
conditions to grow — the perfect environment for the growth of bacteria.
Bagged salad or cut fruit: The more food is handled or processed, the greater
the risk for contamination — witness the numerous foodborne illness outbreaks
from bagged salads. In restaurants, he chooses safer cooked vegetables over
salad.
Unpasteurized (“raw”) milk and juices. Marler won’t go near either raw milk or
unpasteurized juices. Raw milk can be contaminated with bacteria, viruses and
parasites. Pasteurization was developed 150 years ago for a very good reason.
Beef that isn’t well-done. Marler orders his burgers well-done — not
surprising, given what he knows about bacteria in undercooked beef. He also
asks if a restaurant needle-tenderizes their steaks by piercing them, a
technique that can transfer bacteria from the surface to the interior of the
steak. If they do, he orders his steak well-done. Otherwise, medium-well.
Raw or undercooked eggs. The risk of salmonella poisoning from eggs is much
lower than it was 20 years ago but it’s still a concern. Stick to well-cooked eggs.
Raw oysters or other raw shellfish. Raw oysters have been causing more
foodborne illness lately because there’s more bacteria in warming oceans, and
oysters, which are filter feeders, pick up every microbe in the water. Eating
them “is simply not worth the risk.”
http://blog.aarp.org/2016/02/05/6-foods-a-top-food-poisoning-expert-
wont-eat/?cmp=EMC-DSO-NLC-RSS---CTRL-020916-P1-
7
1072621&ET_CID=1072621&ET_RID=1554613&encparam=xRFt/R1zIctQhb
OyU8zfo6RmN9nevV5HTXunpOObw5U=
DIET COLDRINKS – Can they cause weight gain?
Yes. Firstly it’s because we overestimate the calories we save by drinking it and
so we splurge on fries and cookies thinking it’s OK since we have cut down sugar
by using a diet drink. Resultantly we actually end up eating more food.
Secondly, recent research points to a change in gut bacteria caused by the
artificial sweeteners in diet drinks. This probably impacts insulin and thereby
causes weight gain. It is best to drink water and switch to sparkling water if you
crave the fizz.
John Whyte MD, author of AARP New American Diet: Lose weight, Live Longer.
December 2015 aarp.org/Bulletin
LIFE
LIFE LESSON - Cockroach Theory
At a restaurant, a cockroach suddenly flew from somewhere and sat on a lady,
she started screaming out of fear. With a panic stricken face and trembling
voice, she started jumping, with both her hands desperately trying to get rid of
the cockroach. Her reaction was contagious, as everyone in her group also got
panicky. The lady finally managed to push the cockroach away but it landed on
another lady in the Group. Now, it was the turn of the other lady in the group to
continue the drama. The waiter rushed forward to their rescue. In the relay of
throwing, the cockroach next fell upon the waiter. The waiter stood firm,
composed himself and observed the behaviour of the cockroach on his shirt.
When he was confident enough, he grabbed it with his fingers and threw it out
of the restaurant.
Sipping my coffee and watching the amusement, the antenna of my mind picked
up a few thoughts and started wondering, was the cockroach responsible for
their histrionic behaviour?
If so, then why was the waiter not disturbed?
He handled it near to perfection, without any chaos. It is not the cockroach,
but the inability of the ladies to handle the disturbance caused by the
cockroach that disturbed the ladies.
I realized that, it is not the shouting of my father or my boss or my wife that
disturbs me, but it’s my inability to handle the disturbances caused by their
shouting that disturbs me.
It’s not the traffic jams on the road that disturbs me, but my inability to
handle the disturbance caused by the traffic jam that disturbs me.
8
More than the problem, it’s my reaction to the problem that creates chaos
in my life. Lessons learnt from the story:
I understood, I should not react in life.
I should always respond.
The women reacted, whereas the waiter responded.
Reactions are always instinctive whereas responses are always well
thought out.
Note: The origin seems to be lost is the mists of time. It has been floating
around the net for at least 6 years - probably longer - and attributed to more
than one source.
LIVES LOST - The biggest killers in SA
Cause of death
Years of life lost
(per 100,000 population)
1 HIV/AIDS 21711
2 Lower respiratory infections 2121
3 Neoplasms (cancer) 1698
4 Diarrheal diseases 1483
5 Tuberculosis 1456
6 Unintentional Injuries 1204
7 Interpersonal violence 1194
8 Cerebrovascular disease 1046
9 Chronic respiratory diseases 970
10 Transport (including road) injuries 948
Heart disease and diabetes are the 11th and 12th biggest killers. http://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/107181/this-is-whats-killing-south-africans/
WORLD
THE ELDERLY - Who will take care of China's elderly people?
China has the fastest-ageing population in human history but the state provides
very little support for elderly people. Ageing parents have traditionally been
looked after by their children - but in today's China that is not always the case.
China has a lot of orphanages for children. But the Ji Xiang temple has an
entirely different purpose - it's an orphanage for the elderly. Dozens of elderly
people are living their final years here. Some are too poor to go elsewhere.
Others have no children to care for them. But most have simply been
abandoned by their families. "In this area, there's not much family loyalty,"
explains the temple's head nun, Neng Qing. "Old people are really suffering. In a
neighbouring village, there was one old person who had eight children. Every
9
morning, he went to each of the children's families but no-one even invited him
in for breakfast. The village contacted us, but it was too late. He had already
committed suicide."
At 81, Neng Qing still runs the whole operation, travelling into villages to rescue
elderly people who are dying from lack of care. "It's heartbreaking when we go
to pick up these people from their homes because some of them have been sick
for a long time. Sometimes, daughters-in-law make their husbands abandon their
mothers because they've lost the ability to work. They're in such bad health
that we have to carry them out on a stretcher, but then we nurse them back to
health”.
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35155548
In South Africa we have the:
OLDER PERSONS ACT 13 OF 2006
Which states:
ACT
To deal effectively, with the plight of older persons by establishing a
framework aimed at the empowerment and protection of older persons and at
the promotion and maintenance of their status, rights, well-being, safety and
security; and to provide for matters connected therewith.
This Act obliges anyone who is aware of abuse of the elderly to report it
to the authorities under penalty of law.
BOOKS - NON-FICTION
BOOK Excerpt
The things that go well are largely unintended; the things that go badly are
largely intended. Let me give you two lists.
First: the First World War, the Russian Revolution, the Versailles Treaty,
the Great Depression, the Nazi regime, the Second World War, the
Chinese Revolution, the 2008 financial crisis: every single one was the
result of top–down decision-making by relatively small numbers of people
trying to implement deliberate plans – politicians, central bankers,
revolutionaries and so on.
Second: the growth of global income; the disappearance of infectious
diseases; the feeding of seven billion; the clean-up of rivers and air; the
reforestation of much of the rich world; the internet; the use of mobile-
phone credits as banking; the use of genetic fingerprinting to convict
criminals and acquit the innocent. Every single one of these was a
serendipitous, unexpected phenomenon supplied by millions of people who
did not intend to cause these big changes.
10
All the interesting things are incremental, says the psephologist [one who
studies political elections] Sir David Butler, and very few of the major
changes in the statistics of human living standards of the past fifty years
were the result of government action. The Evolution of Everything: How Ideas
Emerge by Matt Ridley
COMPUTERS
COMMUCATION - Cellphone numbers may disappear
You can already make video and voice calls without knowing someone’s phone
number, and this trend is growing. With the advent of social media, a battle
for control of the way people connect to each other is underway. A person’s
Facebook account, for example, can easily replace their mobile number as the
best way to connect to them. Facebook’s VP of Messaging Products, David
Marcus, said, “With Facebook Messenger, we offer all the things that made
texting so popular, but also so much more. Yes, you can send text messages, but
you can also send stickers, photos, videos, voice clips, GIFs, your location, and
money to people.” You can make video and voice calls without needing to know
someone’s phone number. “You don’t need to have a Facebook account to use
Messenger anymore, and it’s also a cross platform experience – so you can pick
up where you left off whether you’re on a desktop computer, a tablet, or your
phone.”
http://mybroadband.co.za/news/cellular/152055-cellphone-numbers-may-
disappear.html
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING - Women write better code, study suggests
Computer code written by women has a higher approval rating than that written
by men - but only if their gender is not identifiable, new research suggests.
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-
35559439?ocid=global_bbccom_email_14022016_technology
As the one time Chief Programmer of a life insurance company I agree
wholeheartedly. A colleague of mine, a lifelong software programmer adds:
“Women are way better at some things - programming, administration, multi-
tasking - this I why I cringe at all this “everybody is the same” nonsense . . . .”
SAARP’s SERVICES – For your benefit
SAARP SHORT TERM INSURANCE POLICIES
Members have saved up to R13 000 per annum on their SAARP policies
Choose from Auto & General, SANTAM or Alexander Forbes
11
SAARP HOLIDAY CLUB
Get discounted top class holidays at amazing prices
SAARP MEDICAL GAP COVER INSURANCE
Choose from Guardrisk, Alexander Forbes and AIG
SAARP FAMILY PROTECTION PLAN
Funeral insurance at reduced rates
CAR HIRE A CHOICE OF THREE COMPANIES
AVIS, First Car or Holiday Autos
SAARP DISCOUNTED WILLS WITHOUT DRAFTING OR HOLDING COSTS
Discounted executor’s fees could vary from 20% to 50% off the legal
maximum
FREE WILL SERVICE – NO DRAWING AND HOLDING FEES
Warwick Trust
FINANCIAL INVESTMENT SERVICE
Warwick Wealth
SPECSAVERS
Affordable Spectacles
FREE MONTHLY e-NEWSLETTER
Your e-mail address guarantees a free monthly e-newsletter
SAARP, its suppliers, publisher, printer and contributors do not have any intention to provide specific medical
or other advice but rather may provide readers with information in terms of its rights under the Constitution of
South Africa. Information provided here is not a substitute for professional advice of any nature, more
particularly medical advice, care, diagnosis or treatment, neither is it designed to promote or endorse any
medical practice or treatment, programme or product. It is placed on record that SAARP does not endorse or
recommend any product advertised or mentioned in the editorial content of the Bulletin or website or the like.
Additionally and similarly, SAARP does not offer professional advice in any area, including, but not limited to,
law and finance. In all cases, should readers require advice, they should consult a properly accredited and
qualified specialist in the field.
Contact us at SAARP Tel: 021 592 1279
Fax: 021 592 1284
Call us and we’ll call you back to save your phone bill
e-mail: [email protected]
Or see it all at www.saarp.net
12
LANGUAGE - Origins of a few English surnames
Ackerman: a ploughman or ox herder
Catchpole: an official who pursues those with delinquent debts
Chandler: a candle maker, or a retail supplier of specific equipment
Factor: an agent or steward
Fuller: someone who shrinks and thickens wool cloth
Keeler: a crew member on a barge or a keelboat
Roper: a maker of nets and ropes
Sawyer: a carpenter
Turner: someone who uses a lathe to turn wood for balustrades and spindles
Wainwright: a wagon maker
Webster: a weaver
WORD - What a brilliant one
throttlebottom, noun
: an innocuously inept and futile person in public office
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
SHORT FICTION – 100 words
Cheers
With satisfaction grey haired Jack surveyed the objects on the table before
him, whisky, glass, cigarettes, matches, ashtray, alarm clock set for midnight.
After a smokeless, drink free year, he would greet the New Year with his
favourite pleasures. Only his wife, watching from the passage painfully
remembered his drunken rants, his reeling home in taxis, the hangovers. “Come
join me, Lily,” he cajoled. “Rotten habits,” she murmured. At midnight the alarm
trilled, His eyes glistening, Jack reached for the bottle. “Ah, the food of life at
last.” Smirking, Lily moved away hoping her stupid husband enjoyed his doctored
tipple.
Isabelle Goodson born 1921 – a member of the Pinelands Writers’ Circle
QUIZ – How sharp are you?
1 Johnny’s mother had three children. The first child was named April. The
second child was named May. What was the third child’s name?
2 A clerk at a butcher shop stands five feet ten inches tall and wears size 13
sneakers. What does he weigh?
3 Before Mt. Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the
world?
4 How much dirt is there in a hole that measures two feet by three feet by
four feet?
5 What word in the English language is always spelled incorrectly?
13
6 Billie was born on December 28th, yet her birthday always falls in the
summer. How is this possible?
7 In British Columbia you cannot take a picture of a man with a wooden leg. Why
not?
8 If you were running a race and you passed the person in 2nd place, what place
would you be in now?
9 Which is correct to say, “The yolk of the egg is white” or “The yolk of the egg
are white?”
10 A farmer has five haystacks in one field and four haystacks in another. How
many haystacks would he have if he combined them all in one field?
Answers at the end of this newsletter.
SMILE
"Some people claim that marriage interferes with romance. There's no doubt
about it. Anytime you have a romance, your wife is bound to interfere." Groucho
Marx
"I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to
annoy for the rest of your life." Rita Rudner
A frustrated husband in front of his laptop: “Dear google, please do not behave
like my wife. Please allow me to complete my sentence before you start guessing
and suggesting.”
GLOBAL RECESSION
The recession has hit everybody really hard.
I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.
CEO's are now playing miniature golf.
If the bank returns your check marked "Insufficient Funds," you call them and
ask if they meant you or them.
McDonald's is selling the 1/4 ouncer.
A picture is now only worth 200 words.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to a human soul.
Joseph Addison (1672-1719), English essayist and poet
THOUGHT
Politics, as a practice, whatever its professions, has always been the systematic
organization of hatreds.
Henry Adams, historian and teacher (16 Feb 1838-1918)
14
QUOTE
There are two ways to be rich.
One is by acquiring much, and the other is by desiring little.
Jackie French Koller.
Answers to Quiz. These illustrate several brain idiosyncrasies that affect how
we make decisions in the world.
1 Johnny.
2 Meat.
3 Mount Everest. It just wasn’t discovered yet.
4 There is no dirt in a hole.
5 Incorrectly (except when it is spelled incorrecktly).
6 Billie lives in the southern hemisphere.
7 You can’t take a picture with a wooden leg. You need a camera (or iPad or cell
phone) to take a picture.
8 You would be in 2nd place. You passed the person in second place, not first.
9 Neither. Egg yolks are yellow.
10 One. If he combines all his haystacks, they all become one big stack.
Ray Hattingh
PS "I regard giving up smoking as a defeat at the hands of the nanny state."
Alexander Chancellor
adding life to your years