GEORGE NEWS - The June programme of the University of the Third Age (U3A) opens on Wednesday 11 June with Armchair Travel with Estelle Frohling who will give a talk titled 'Feet on the ground in Israel'.
Frohling has been to Israel many times and has explored this country off the beaten tracks, avoiding the busy tourist routes.
She finds the history of Israel fascinating and likes to compare its past to its present but can only wonder about its future.
Born and bred in Pretoria, Frohling studied at the Pretoria University, where she qualified as a medical doctor. During her working career she worked as such in South Africa and even further afield in Mozambique and Angola. Now retired, she enjoys hiking, photography and travelling. The meeting starts at 10:30.
Submarine operations off SA coast
In the Friday talk on 20 June, Johan Viljoen will talk about 'Axis submarine operations off the South African coast during World War 2'. At this time at least 36 German, Italian and Japanese submarines were operating within 1 000 nautical miles of South Africa's coast. These submarines managed to sink 136 ships, and the threat posed by them and other Axis maritime operations succeeded in causing a significant amount of trouble and anxiety for the Allies.
After he matriculated, Viljoen joined the South African Navy and served for 28 years, mostly as an intelligence officer. His other appointments included serving as a navigating officer and as the personal adjutant to the chief of the South African Defence Force. He also spent two years in Chile as the naval attaché.
Refreshments will be at 10:00 and the talk will start at 10:30.
Shipwrecks on the SA coast
At the general meeting on Wednesday 25 June, Felicity Horne will talk about 'Shipwrecks on the South African coast'. In this talk she will give an overview of some of the factors which have caused more than 2 000 ships to be wrecked on our coast from the early 16th century to the present day.
Horne is a retired English teacher and lecturer who moved to Sedgefield three years ago. She remains active in her retirement doing voluntary teaching in a small school in Rondevlei as well as being a professional editor.
Refreshments will be available at 10:00 and the talk starts at 10:30.
All meetings are at Emmaüs in Memoriam Street and visitors are always welcome.
U3A will take a mid-year break in July and will resume activities on 28 July when Case Rijsdijk will conduct another session of International Affairs.
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