The Bag Lady

Is it me or has any other reader noticed what SABC are doing with our TV channels?

When I came to live in SA in 1984, each evening, on SABC, channel one I think but it could have been three, was split into half Afrikaans and half English programmes. This did stop a few years later and TV 1 became predominately African languages and TV 2 African and Afrikaans.

Since the World Cup soccer viewing shake-up, SABC3 is now reverting back to all those years ago, featuring English and Afrikaan’s news as well as TV programmes in both languages, allocated at different viewing times. Talk about moving forward, if you ask me SABC is going backward!

I think they are definitely short of money as the programmes are either re-runs or rubbish. It should be re-named SARR (South African Re-run Rubbish). We don’t have DSTV because we aren’t great TV watchers but come on SABC, a few decent programmes certainly won’t  break the bank! Oh, and yes, I am one of those who pays my TV licence.

Fresh breath

I always carry mints in my handbag but I don’t really like the taste of anything minty. Recently I found Velamints in Cool watermelon flavour. They are so cool and make your mouth feel very fresh. They come in a tin of 28 sugar free pastilles and also sell in mint flavours. Quite pricey at R29 but I love them.

Just desserts

I baked a delicious pudding last week and I thought I’d share the recipe with you. It’s called Nog ‘n skeppie baked pudding. The recipe is taken from: Woman’s World Cookbook South African Favourite recipes.

Ingredients

1 litre milk

5ml bicarb soda

45ml butter

4 eggs, beaten

45ml apricot jam

45ml flour

Pinch of salt

Method

Take a little of the milk to mix with the bicarb of soda. Set aside. Cream butter and sugar and add the beaten eggs. Now add the jam, flour and salt. Mix well. Add the milk gradually, and lastly the dissolved bicarb of soda.

Pour the mixture into a well-greased deep dish (square or round, about 23cm across) and bake at 180c for 45 minutes. It serves six, is extremely easy to make and can be served with thick fresh cream or custard.

Woolworths complaint

A shopper contacted me with her complaint, “I went to Brackenhurst Woolworths at DisChem centre recently and bought a few of their specials. When checking my till slip, three of the special items had been put through incorrectly.  There was a discrepancy of R40 so I went back to get a refund.  What annoys me is this isn’t the first time this has happened. Sometimes it’s only R5 or R10 so I haven’t bothered to go back but R40 is a different story.  What about people who never check their till slips? Thank you for always keeping us informed.

I contacted Corporate Press Office Woolworths Marketing for comment. “We are committed to ensuring that transactions between us and our customers are efficient and fair.  Incorrect scanning –
If there is a price discrepancy, between the price on shelf and the price at the till, then we give the customer the first incorrectly priced item free. Two prices – If a product is marked with two price tags (wish happens occasionally) then the customer will benefit from the lower price.”

So, shoppers, it’s now up to you! Check your till slip when you have shopped at Woolworths and go back if you can see you’ve been overcharged. The problem will be rectified.

Bouquets of the Week

Pam from Verona Street, Rosettenville gives a huge bouquet to Grant and Staff from Southern Plumbing. “My heartfelt thanks to Grant and his team. I awoke to find my house flooded with water, and because of my disability I couldn’t manage to switch off the water. Grant and his staff were absolutely amazing. I phoned and said I needed a plumber urgently and within minutes they were at my home. Their efficiency and quick work was wonderful. They sorted everything out and I so appreciate what they did for me.Thank you so much Grant and team, you are magic!”

* Stacey gives a bouquet to DisChem the Glen. “On Monday June 30 I purchased items from DisChemThe Glen. The cashier was Nhlanhla Roloti.  It was only once DisChem had closed I realised I was missing two Samsung 4 Galaxy phones and when I backtracked my movements the only place where I could have left the phones was DisChem, but whether they had been found and handed in was up for debate. After a restless night my mother phoned DisChem at 09:00 promptly the next day (I was in a meeting) and spoke to the manager to ask about the phones.  I am delighted to say that the phones were found, having been handed in by Nhlanhla. DisChem must be proud to have her as an employee with so much honesty and integrity. Thank you so much.”

That’s it for this week. Stay warm, be happy and shop till you drop.

Julie