Cape of Good Hope branch of Flame Lily Foundation 2024Chairman's Annual Report  Over the last year, Flame Lily Foundation, Cape of Good Hope has organised regular meetings at the Fish Hoek Bowling Club, at 10am on the fourth Wednesday of every month. Often historic Rhodesia Information Service films were screened and sometimes we have had guest speakers. Special Easter and Christmas teas were also organized with prizes awarded for the best Easter bonnets and gifts for members and guests at our Christmas event. We celebrated Rhodes and Founders with a banquet at St James Hotel and we also had a special Luncheon at St James Hotel for Independence Day 11 November. This is the same hotel where we set up a memorial plaque in honour of the last Prime Minister of Rhodesia: Ian Douglas Smith. Every year, we organize a Remembrance service on the 1st Sunday of November at Fish Hoek Methodist Church, this last year with Piper James playing the bagpipes. The MOTHs always join us for this memorial service. This year's Remembrance service will be at 13:00pm on Sunday the 3rd of November. Last year we also hosted the AGM of Flame Lily Foundation at Livingstone House where the Rhodesia Heritage Library is preserved.
This year’s Rhodes and Founders luncheon will be held at St James Hotel on the 12 July. Please RSVP with: Rosalie Holmes - 082 877 1301 - [email protected] Last year, FLF CGH increased our welfare payments to destitute and needy members in the Cape peninsula. FLF CGH has 65 members. We are supporting 9 welfare recipients. Each of whom has been visited in the last three months and re-evaluated. On social media, I maintain the Flame Lily Foundation, Cape of Good Hope Facebook page: FLAME LILY FACEBOOK PAGE We have over 3000 followers. Some single posts have reached over 200,000 people with over 14,500 engagements (comments, likes and shares). I also set up the Friends of Rhodes Memorial Facebook page which has over 1800 followers: FRIENDS OF RHODES MEMORIAL FACEBOOK PAGE We also maintain the Flame Lily Foundation website which Decent Digital Solutions is currently rebuilding & hosting. See the new site here... FLAME LILY WEBSITE
Cape Town has many important historic links with Rhodesia. The Founder of Rhodesia, Cecil John Rhodes, was also Prime Minister of the Cape, and we are blessed by Kirstenbosch Gardens and the Groote Schuur Estate which the Founder gifted to the people of the Cape, along with Newlands Forest. Rhodes Memorial, which the people of the Cape erected to his memory, and Rhodes Cottage, where CJR passed away are also in our area. Barely a mile away from Rhodes Cottage is St James hotel, where the last Prime Minister of Rhodesia, Ian Douglas Smith, passed away. We also have a famous statue of Cecil John Rhodes in the Gardens of Cape Town. In this volatile age of Rhodes Must Fall cancel culture, arson attacks and pulling down of historic monuments, as Chairman of Flame Lily Foundation- Cape of Good Hope I have had the privilege of Standing up and articulating the case for CJR at public meetings, on radio programs, TV programs and in interviews and Letters to the Editor of local community newspapers and overseas magazines. We have also been involved in mobilizing manpower for several work parties in helping to repair, clean up and preserve Rhodes Memorial and support Rhodes Cottage events. These initiatives were reported on in local community newspapers. Since the FLF AGM 2023 unanimously agreed to fund the protection, restoration and renovations of Cecil Rhodes Cottage, we have made much progress on our partnership with the Muizenberg Historic Society for the protecting, renovating and preserving of Rhodes Cottage. This vital project is firmly within the stated objectives of Flame Lily Foundation: to preserve the History and Heritage of Rhodesia
Decisive and effective action at this time, with these projects, in helping to restore Rhodes Memorial and Rhodes Cottage and museum, could well motivate more to become active members, inspire more support and lead to an increased capacity to support vulnerable and destitute members of Flame Lily. Those who claim that this restoration and preservation project is beyond the constitution of FLF are wrong. The stated objective of Flame Lily Foundation is to preserve the History and Heritage of Rhodesia. We have undertaken intensive further investigation as agreed at the previous AGM. Our investment in time, talent and treasure, in Cecil Rhodes Cottage will inspire more support worldwide to this worthy project as progress is seen and reported on. We are convinced that this really is a critical moment upon which the future of Flame Lily Foundation depends. If we continue to take the initiative and make a positive difference in preserving this historic monument and museum of the Founder of Rhodesia, it will inspire more support for the project from other bodies and probably raise more recruits and members for Flame Lily Foundation, especially from the younger generation (including our children and grandchildren) who are essential for the continued existence, development and growth of FLF. I am convinced that this is a decisive moment and if we renege on our commitment and fail to maintain the initiative in this battle for our heritage, FLF will condemn itself to irrelevance and will fade away. FLF - CGH asks: What more important project is FLF involved in to preserve the history and heritage of Rhodesia? Project for the Repairs, Restoration, Security, Preservation and Caretaking of Rhodes Cottage in Muizenberg The Flame Lily Foundation shares the concern of the Muizenberg Historic Society for the preservation and caretaking of Rhodes cottage. Accordingly, we are partnering with MHS to renovate and protect this historic site and tourist attraction. We believe that the first priority is Security: 1. Erecting an aesthetically pleasing, but effective, wrought iron fence upon the stone wall perimeter facing the main road (similar to the neighbouring property) and planting hedges that would eventually encompass the fence. We need to ensure that Rhodes cottage is secure from arson attacks and that fire hazards such as the dry wood piled up near the side gate is promptly removed. 2. Changing the locks to Rhodes cottage and limiting access to the keys (the security has been seriously compromised by contractors and casual labourers having been issued with keys to the cottage). During the renovations it may be wise to also hire a security guard to protect the property and building materials at night. 3. Ensuring that the thatched roof is protected by an effective sprinkler system and smoke alarm, so that any fire would be automatically and effectively dealt with by sprinklers installed on the apex of the thatched roof (fed by a 5000 L water tank placed on the hillside to ensure good water flow/pressure). As the property has its own water spring, this should be utilised. Secondly, the Repairs and Renovations to the building itself which includes dealing with the rising damp, the damaged sections of windows, shutters, roof and beams. An experienced and trusted renovator, Anthony Stander: [email protected] walked around Rhodes cottage with curator Tony Rozemeyer and I to assess the damage and evaluate what is needed. He informed us that, as this is a heritage site, we need an architect to draft the necessary plans and changes. I believe MHS has suitable architect contacts and friends to turn to for this. Tony, in his report, also mentions an evaluation by a fireman. We need to ensure that the cottage is protected by an effective alarm system which must include a smoke detector alarm connected to the sprinkler system. Thirdly, we should seriously consider renovating the attic space which was operational in the days of Cecil Rhodes and restoring the bay window in the attic. The attic conversion could provide a suitable venue for a Cecil Rhodes Library and Study Centre. Fourthly, the fynbos garden above the cottage can be better utilised and enjoyed by constructing some pathways and benches. Flame Lily Foundation Cape of Good Hope is partnering with MHS to repair, renovate and restore Rhodes cottage and its exhibits and help care for this historic monument and museum and attractive tourist destination. 
Our FLF-CGH Committee: Flame Lily Foundation - Cape of Good Hope Dr. Peter Hammond-Chairman 021 689 4480 [email protected] Tony Rozemeyer-Vice chairman 021 788 7274 061 817 6054 [email protected] Rosalie Holmes-Treasurer 082 877 1301 [email protected] Margaret Matzener-Secretary 073 261 4136 [email protected] Val Mason-Committee Member 082 538 5019 [email protected] Shirley Sleight-Committee Member 021 786 4718 083 447 7382 [email protected] Alec Murray-Committee Member 021 782 1443 079 812 0235 [email protected] Stephanie Markey-Committee Member 083 270 7272 [email protected]
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A Dark Day for Democracy and Religious FreedomUnderstanding the Implications of the Hate Speech Act  Introduction: A Call to Defend Our Freedoms On Monday, 6 May 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the Prevention and Combatting of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act, a piece of legislation that significantly undermines democratic principles and religious freedoms in South Africa. This Act, which criminalizes "hate speech" with severe penalties, poses a dire threat to the constitutional right of freedom of expression. It is imperative that we understand the gravity of this law and unite to protect our fundamental rights. The Threat to Free Speech and Religious Freedom The new Hate Speech Act has sparked widespread concern and opposition. Michael Swain, Executive Director of Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA), points out the alarming aspects of the law. "It is bizarre that it will be easier to be prosecuted and jailed for the new crime of hate speech than to be sued successfully and made to give an apology or pay a fine under the Equality Act," says Swain. The Act's definition of "hate speech" is dangerously vague and subjective, leading to potential misuse and arbitrary enforcement. "The central element of the crime now punishable by up to five years in prison – namely 'hate' – is not defined in this law," Swain explains. "How will you even know if you are committing a crime?" This ambiguity could lead to prosecutions based on any "hateful" expression causing "substantial emotional harm" to members of one of the eighteen protected groups, making the law's application highly unpredictable and dependent on individual judges' interpretations. Public Concerns Ignored During the legislative process, over 200,000 written submissions were made, expressing concerns about the impact of the law on bona fide religious expression and the overbroad definitions of hate speech. Despite this, the government has not engaged meaningfully with the public's concerns. "The so-called religious exclusion clause still offers little or no protection," Swain notes. The Act's purported goal of addressing racist expressions is already covered under existing laws such as the common law crime of crimen injuria, which has been used effectively in recent high-profile cases. The addition of this new law, with its broad and vague definitions, seems redundant and poses a significant risk to free speech. International Obligations and Legal Challenges FOR SA and other civil rights organizations have highlighted that the Hate Speech Act goes against South Africa's international treaty obligations, which require very narrow parameters for criminalizing speech. These submissions were disregarded by the government. "We continue to hold the view that this law is unconstitutional and that the views overwhelmingly expressed during the public participation process were not properly considered," says Swain. As a result, FOR SA is now considering appropriate legal action to challenge the validity of this law. A Call to Action The passage of the Hate Speech Act represents a critical moment for South Africa. It is crucial that we unite to defend our democratic values and religious freedoms. We urge you to stay informed, speak out, and join us in this fight to preserve our fundamental rights. Let us not remain silent in the face of this challenge. Your involvement is essential in ensuring that our voices are heard, and our freedoms protected. Together, we can make a difference. Conclusion
The signing of the Prevention and Combatting of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act by President Cyril Ramaphosa has set a troubling precedent for freedom of expression and religious liberty in South Africa. With vague definitions and the potential for misuse, this law threatens to undermine the very democratic principles it purports to protect. It is imperative that we remain vigilant and proactive in defending our rights. These articles were written and adapted from information supplied by FORSA A Message from Frontline Fellowship
We celebrate a milestone of over 3200 individuals like you have chosen to stand with us. Thank You for being willing to stand with our Mission, and to champion our cause in serving persecuted Christians throughout Africa & our local projects in South Africa. Your decision to join us in this journey is not just a number to us; it's a testament to the power of collective action and shared Biblical values.  We want to take this moment to express our sincere appreciation for your trust, your commitment, and your dedication. Without your prayers and support, none of what we do would be possible. Your interest in our mission fuels our determination to continue striving to fulfil the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ. Looking ahead, we are excited about the many opportunities that lie ahead.
Please keep visiting https://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/ to see our updates. You can also see new pictures & Regular updates on our FB page: https://www.facebook.com/frontfel/ Please Pray for & Support our Frontline Priority Projects: https://www.givesendgo.com/frontlinefellowship  Thank you for being an integral part of our work and witness.
Together, we are making a difference, and together, we will continue to do so. With heartfelt appreciation For the fulfilment of the Great Commission. Your Frontline Fellowship Family |
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"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the End of the age.” Amen.” Matthew 28: 18-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the End of the age.” Amen.” Matthew 28: 18-20
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