Tembe Work Week 2023
02 April 2023 - Arina Jordaan
The popularity of this event is due to the camaraderie built over the couple of days of work and efforts by LROC members. It is possibly the only event to my knowledge that really allows you to meet new people within LROC and built lasting friendships.
The workweek team were spoilt this year with some “goodies” from a sponsor ZF (Engineering company in the automotive industry)
Project objective: To convert an old ranger’s camp into a rustic bushcamp.
Project details:
• 5 steel cottages to be removed.
• 1 steel kitchenette area to be removed.
• Upgrade ablution facilities.
• Clear out old wood, and branches to allow for camping areas to be accessible.
The 1st day set off with an introduction to the project and what needs to be done. The team quickly established the “what, how and who”, and got cracking with breaking down all metal structures. Due to the good preparations which preceded this year’s events, everything and everybody was ready to roll on day 1, already done with 2 cottages broken down. The next couple of days continued with breaking down, loading and stacking old material at Munzi workshop.
This year was not without its usual funnies. We all were given new names by Phillip, which created a lot of confusion in the camp with who is who. Eventually figuring out that remembering names was not Phillip’s best attribute! This has caused for some giggles and laughs.
As per the usual “span-gees” there were jokes and fun made along the way, with the daily votes for the “idiot / hard hat”, as well as the “Jeep” hat for those who REALLY slipped up. This has supported tremendously in building the relationships and having fun along with all the hard work. The most controversial boo-boo made, and duly fit to deserving of the Jeep cap, was the one who shall not be mentioned, for not releasing the trailer’s park brake. Resulting in Hennie’s Disco pulling each and every muscle in the V8 to get Philip’s 90 along with the trailer over the sand dunes, with the necessary “spoeg, skop en vloek”. Hennie beared the burning marks to tell the tale. It would’ve gone far easier without the brake up!
For us, doing this event now for 7-8 years, this was one of the best Tembe trips in my books! All thanks to the awesome team of LROC’kers, and Honorary Rangers.
