Sharing pickled fish

Keith Blake, Ottery

On Good Friday March 29, about 80 motorbike riders from numerous bikers’ clubs arrived at my home in Ottery.

A convoy was formed with bakkies loaded with eight baths of pickled fish donated and made by different biker clubs; over 200 loaves of bread and a 100 buttered; Easter eggs and Kinderjoy eggs, hot cross buns, 600 rolls, sweets and chips.

The convoy left at 9am escorted by three traffic vehicles and numerous ADT Security vehicles and proceeded to Oribi Street, Lotus River, where the convoy was met by Bishop Paul Philips and his team with a number of children displaying placards on the consequences of being a drug addict which was followed by short speeches on the drug issue and the community and the bikers shouted not to do drugs.

A spiritual dance was performed by three young women. Also here the bikers went into the House Moria old age home and served the residents pickled fish and hot cross buns and Easter eggs.

The convoy then proceeded to the Reconciliation ministries church on the corner of Blackbird and Kestrel roads, Parkwood. Here a crowd of children also stood with placards stating the consequences of drugs. Pastor Eddie Hendricks gave a short powerful speech on the scourge and consequences of being a drug addict.

The bikers and the community then three times shouted “Say No to Drugs”. Here also the community were served pickled fish, bread and sweets and Easter eggs.

The convoy then proceeded to Freedom Park Informal settlement in Ottery where the residents were also served pickled fish, bread, rolls and Easter eggs. After the serving we left the families with bread and rolls as an extra.

This is where the event ended and the bikers went to Jeremiah's Pub in Diep River and then only enjoyed their pickled fish and bread.

Appreciation to the Traffic Department and ATD Security for their par excellence safety and security services during the whole event and as a result without any police assistance no incidents occurred.

On Saturday March 30, I personally took a half a bath of pickled fish and rolls and there while fishing I dished out pickled fish and rolls to persons who make a living from salvaging sinkers and selling it to us fishermen and to EPWP workers who were cleaning up the beach.

We give God all the glory for making the event possible. A personal quote: “What a privilege, blessing and honour to serve.”