| February 21, 2009 |
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 They‘ve swum 82 Miles but keep going back for more Yolandé Hayward WEEKEND POST REPORTER CAMARADERIE, a passion for swimming, a means of keeping fit and great family fun are some of the motivating factors that will get two 65-year-old Bay Redhouse River milers – along with many others – hitting the water tomorrow. Ant Skinner and Brian Driscoll – who between them have competed in 82 River Miles – will once again get their swimsuits out and line up at the start of the 85th event tomorrow afternoon. Skinner will be taking part in his 49th event while Driscoll will do his 35th. Bay sports events organiser Michael Zoetmulder said South Africa‘s oldest open water swimming event was one everyone could take part in and enjoy. Many children also take part. “It is quite embarrassing when you get out the water with a young chap half your size,” Driscoll quipped. Skinner, born and bred in the Redhouse area, even swam the Mile with his spaniel, Oscar, who sadly died two years ago. “Ant will definitely be slower now as his dog pulled him in the past,” Driscoll laughed. Skinner has also done the Mile with his son Hayden, who was five at the time, on his back. Driscoll said the only difficult part of the race was the start. “It is like being caught in a washing machine when 600 people start swimming at once. It is only chaos however for the first 200 metres.” If swimming is not your thing, festivities around the Mile will start this morning with the Rotary Club of Port Elizabeth‘s Sunrise Rotary Foundation fundraising 5km fun run and 15 to 20km mountain bike ride from 8.30am. This will be followed by the popular potjiekos competition. Tomorrow‘s swimming will start at noon with the prelim races for children under 12 who will not be taking part in the Mile and at 1pm the Mile for swimmers wearing wetsuits will kick off. The main events will start at 2pm for the women and 3pm for the men.
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Why graft hurts so bad IF anyone doubts the pervasive and damaging influence that official corruption can have on society, they need only read our story this morning about rampant bribery and graft in the Nelson Mandela Bay traffic department to understand its impact. As we reveal today, top traffic officials stand accused by five suspended colleagues of taking “kick-backs” to promote certain officers, demanding bribes to issue driver‘s licences and using ratepayers‘ money to fund their holidays. The fraudulent issuing of drivers‘ licences in exchange for bribes poses two obvious problems for society.... 
Deal with life by starting day with egg on your face Brett Adkins BREAKFAST has, for me, always been the ultimate comfort food. And I‘m not talking lazy weekend brunches which you take your time preparing with friends or family. If you know you‘ve got an ultra busy workday ahead, there‘s no better way to put a buffer between a hectic schedule and the business of actually getting yourself going at daybreak, than treating yourself to your favourite morning meal at a good brekkie spot.... 
Massive task awaits Bay United against ‘Downs Chumani Bambani SOCCER REPORTER BAY United have a tough task ahead of them tomorrow afternoon when they face title-chasing Mamelodi Sundowns at the Absa Stadium in East London.... 
Tough talk as business tells Bhisho to come to the party CALLS for all sectors of the government in the Eastern Cape to join forces with organised business in shouting more often and being “much more vocal” to ensure the economic development of the province, were made this week. Representing the region‘s biggest business body, Port Elizabeth Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Percci) president Siya Mhlaluka and chief executive Odwa Mtati made the call at a briefing on its plans and priorities for the year.... 
Singing on Saturdays Arts Correspondent POPULAR Port Elizabeth singer Charmaine Allison will perform at the SuperSports Arena at The Boardwalk in the Bay every Saturday evening starting tonight.... |
