It was a warm and sunny Friday morning when we decided to head off to the KZN Tri-Area Conference hosted by Ncandu86 in the bustling town of Newcastle KZN.
The Conference was held at Majuba lodge in Newcastle, the venue was very well dressed with fire drums every few meters to keep the cold at bay, to top it off, DJ splashy had a great setup going with all his fancy disco lights.
Wes and his wife headed off first thing in the morning while Gerhard, Sulette, AJ, Kieran, Johnathan, Hanno and Almero followed later that evening, great thing we travelled separately because they ended up at a different location out of town with a very similar name. (AMAJUBA not MAJUBA)
By 9:30pm all the Gauteng troops had gathered at the bar, all except our fearless leader – he would join us the next morning.
I was standing at the bar ordering a cold beverage when in the corner of my eye I thought I saw the Tiger King, it was our RTSA President Mr. Werner Swanepoel – donning a mullet with a cap! #priceless
The opening night (Friday) we had a delicious chicken curry, followed by Jagermeister and whatever else 2 clicks could get you. Our RTSA branding manager Mr Cameron Day was the master of ceremonies as he welcomed all in attendance, this was followed by our RTSA President Mr Werner Swanepoel who officially opened the conference.
We all got down and shook some booty, next thing we knew, the birds were chirping and it had been an entire evening of meeting new people, sharing stories, sharing traditions and having fellowship to the next level. It was bedtime.
Alarms rang and it was time to freshen up, we put on our game faces and got dressed to attend the conference. Off to the party we went. It was breakfast time, We had 2 brekkie buns with scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese and A LOT of coffee. Hanno had the right idea, crème soda and vodka for breakfast.
In the nick of time Gauteng Area Chairman Mr. JC Duarte rocked up, Gauteng officially made Quorum for the conference, now it became a Raid.
Everyone gathered for Aims and Objectives followed by an earth-shattering speech by our RTSA VP Mr Louis Radley about previous Tri Areas. We greeted the ladies (See separate KZN Tri Area Ladies tour Article) and then it was conference time, everyone headed off to their respective conference rooms.
Round Table Gauteng came with 1 directive, we wanted to claim the Dragon Shield from Drak Area and the Surf’s up cup from KZN South Coast. Lead by our Fearless leader we started in Drak Area. Tradition is that if it’s your first Tri Area you need to take a fine from the Sergeant, this rule applies to all 3 conference rooms…. So Drak area had wasabi on weet bix and a chaser of Maas with vinegar, chilli and goodness knows that else…
I had the biscuit and I almost died, it was the most brutal fine I have ever experienced, “that was most reasonable, thank you”. Our Chairman almost lost his life, that is how serious it was, but never-the-less we had beverages and that kept us perky.
Our Chairman proceeded to claim the Dragonshield and it was time to stash it. We stashed the shield and Drak Area banner that we raided, it was time to head to South Coast.
We spent about 2 hours outside South Coast’s conference room pondering when we were going to make our entrance as the fine was a hefty one. A salty crack with a sliver of a raw chicken heart, masala powder and topped off with some toothpaste to ensure your breath is good thereafter. After spending all that time deliberating, we decided to enter the room, the sergeant did not even give us a fine! Whoa! Then the next minute my phone rings… $$#@$#$!!!
I told myself 3 chews max then swallow, I nailed it.
Unfortunately, the South Coast did not have the Surf’s up Cup there but they have promised to bring it to BMG. That is the tradition, every year Gauteng goes to KZN Tri-Area to raid these trophy’s then KZN comes to BMG to get them back. This nurtures fellowship between the regions and helps grow the spirit of Table.
We took their IOU and decided to head off when the sergeant was distracted. We ran straight for the beverage station.
It was lunch time, we had the most scrumptious burgers, exactly what we needed at that time. At this point Gauteng decided we were traumatised enough and it was time to get into our comfy clothes, it was beverage time.
We spent the afternoon sharing stories and making new friends, Gauteng was having fellowship with Bushveld while the rest were meeting.
The ladies returned from their exquisite afternoon of learning how to make Cocktails, it was time for them to show us what they learned. Everyone got done with their meetings and it was nap time, We hit a short recharge nap and then got back to it, it was theme party time. The Theme was Loadshedding V3.0, people were dressed in glow sticks, fairy lights, head lamps, boards, it was an absolute thrill.
We danced the night away with our new friends and made many new memories which will last a lifetime.
In Attendance for the KZN Tri-Area was:
J.C Duarte – Gauteng Area Chairman
Gerhard Van Der Berg – Gauteng Area Constitutional Advisor
Johnathan Brest – Gauteng Area Treasurer
Wes de Kock – Gauteng Area IRO/PRO
There was so much more that happened over those amazing 52 hours we spent in Newcastle with the KZN Round Tablers that I cannot mention here, Thank you to KZN Drak Area, KZN NNCA and KZN NSCA for your amazing hospitality. We had the best experience; you are great hosts.
Salute to Gauteng Area Chairman JC Duarte for keeping traditions alive, this is a pinnacle part of Tabling and every area should keep the traditions alive. We will see you at BMG.