In our house the watching of Sport on the telly is mandatory. No sport in particular as long as it is sport. I have managed to cope for forty something years with rugby, cricket and Formula One, but just recently its either 'Sport' or 'World News' and there is no doubt that World News need to be avoided at all costs.
My girl friends are lucky, they are allowed to watch Soaps, Strictly Come Dancing, The Voice, The Clean It Fix it team, all sorts of programmes to delight the feminine heart, but in our home its just plain SPORT!!
The rugby roots go deep, I will admit, and I have learned to love that particular sport too.
From deep in the foothills of Kokstad came the sporting side of the family - right from the heartland of rugby, although it would appear they are ambivalent those Kokstadians, they can get equally as passionate about cricket, soccer, tennis, biking, motor racing and snowboarding, polo, as long as it is sport, it has a place in the heart...
I feel somewhat marginalised, quite often in fact - when the girl talk in the coffee shop veers towards popular TV shows, I am totally lost.
I can give you the Bafana Bafana v Iraq scores verbatim, I can give you Alcaraz's last 6 matches ball by ball. I can recite the four most capped Springbok players if you want ? Percy 102, Jooste 89 and John Smit 83 followed by hunky Matfield at 82 !!
Why do they make such a fuss out of the amount of caps a fellow has at any rate?
On the subject of 'Caps' I have had dozens of those hideous bathing caps firmly stuck to my scalp while having my hair highlighted !! Believe me it is so painful, I defy any Bok to have that done even once !! I did e mail Victor Matfield and offer him free highlights for his hair using the dreaded bathing cap, but he did not reply !!
But what I cannot tell you is who got knocked out in Strictly Come Dancing or who won 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire'.
Its tough being the odd girl out, none of my female peers can recite the names of all the players in the Super 14 or the opening batsmen in the Cricket World 20/20 !!
However that rugby jargon is quite beyond me sometimes, I mean "tight head" is that a hangover ? Or maybe it is "tight end" There are quite a few cute "tightends" on the rugby field these days, so it's not all bad !!
But Hooker???
What on earth were they thinking ?? The blood bin ? Maul ? Sin Bin ?
I crave for a soapy or a quiz show, I would die for an episode of Idols. I got really excited when HeeHoo purchased one of those dual decoders. Hooray my time has come, he can sit and watch his sport and I can watch some programmes of my own ....... calloo callay oh frabjuous day !!
The soccer has been fun mind you, there are some really cute Spanish and Brazilian players I can secretly admire their "tightends" when HeeHoo is asleep.
Although they are not tough and manly like rugby players, they do tend to be a bit mamby pamby and are always lying down on the floor and crying quite a bit. If I was Ronaldo or Messi mind you, I would be crying too, imagine their income tax !!
But back to the dual decoder well, I was soon put in my place !!! Channel one is permanently on rugby and Channel two is on tennis/cricket/ football/motor racing/soccer !! And the remote is clutched firmly in his paw, even while asleep !!
I tried once to prise it from his hand when he nodded off, but it was as if rigor mortis had set in !!
Oh well, back to the telly, what is it tonight ? Motor racing maybe, Wimbledon definitely, a plethora of soccer certainly and a replay of Saturday's rugby highlights to be sure to be sure.
Good Day to all Orchid Enthusiasts and Stallholders. It is with pleasure that we inform you that our 2026 Bulawayo Orchid Society Show is scheduled for Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August.
Venue is Old Miltonian club.
Stalls for the 2 days are $20. Saturday 9 am - 16.30
Sunday 9 am - 12 noon.
For your convenience, payment may be made by Ecocash to 0774199063 ( JD STAMBOLIE).
You may book your stand through
Nisha 0773218824
Or
Sue Bonett 0778138509
Any queries you may also contact one of the Committee listed below. Looking forward to seeing you all again this year.
Anne 0774199063
Nisha 0773218824
Nicky Wilson0772354780
Sue Bonett 0778138509
Thulani 0784265804