A SMALL corner of the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas was briefly turned into South African territory on Sunday when a group of yachtsmen in those foreign waters celebrated ‘Comrades Day’.
Word of the loyal gathering, which included a large braai, traditional food and blaring music by South African artists, came via Zululand Yacht Club member Brett Chapman.
Brett and co-sailor Gideon Coetzee are cruising the world on their boat ‘Panache’ and found themselves in the company of another eight RSA yachts at the Bahamas, some 13 000km from South Africa.
‘We knew the rest of our countrymen would be enjoying the special day and we wanted to be part of the excitement of the Comrades Marathon and all that is South African,’ said Brett, an former Zululand Observer employee.
‘Distance from home just makes us appreciate it all the more. Being with so many South Africans so far from home is so special.
‘This is a once in a life time thing and we were so lucky to be able to organise it.
‘The people are so enthusiastic. I have never seen such patriotism before!’
Fellow Zululand Yacht Club members Zack and Magda van den Berg on the boat ‘Vagabond’ were also part of the South African armada curing their homesickness with some of the Cape’s finest beverages’.
Others in the fleet included ‘Island Explorer’ – Knysna YC (Doug and Ursula du Toit); ‘Island Khaya’ – Durban YC (Brenda and Riaan Cilliers); ‘Rat Catcher’ – Gordon’s Bay YC (Andre and Alison Stroebel); ‘Khaya Moya’ – Durban YC (John and Shirley Aldworth); ‘Shiloh’ – Cape Town (John and Holli Wishart); ‘Four Bouys’ – Durban (Leon and Wendy Venter); ‘Alley Cat’ – Cape Town (Allen and Marita Witley).
