The streets of Swellendam were truly enchanted with color and creativity during the ATKV branch Drostdy’s Carnival of One Hundred Words, which took place on September 27, 2025 during the Swellendam Alive festival.

This carnival was the brainchild of Moira Odendaal, better known as “Miss Ruby.” Moira is the branch chairperson of the ATKV branch Drostdy, which walked away with two branch awards at this year’s ATKV Culture Festival.

“Our language’s birthday inspired me to think of something special for this big milestone – that’s when the idea for the 100-word carnival was hatched,” says Moira.

The entire community of Swellendam was approached to participate in the event. Each participant chose a word and had to portray it through their outfit. Learners from the VRT Pitt Primary School walked with each participant with the words.

The executive mayor of Swellendam, Francois du Rand, took the lead and the procession colored the main street of Swellendam to the beat of “Liewe Lewe” by Laurika Rauch and boeremusiek renditions of “Loslappie” and “Al lê die berge nog so blou”.

“Our town’s people have always made their voices heard with pride and passion. Today we do it in just 100 words, but with thousands of meanings. The ATKV procession reminds us that language is not just a way of speaking, but a way of living,” Francois said proudly during his speech after the carnival.

“Prizes were awarded to the best depictions, but it was very difficult to choose, because every participant actually deserved a prize. Everyone put in so much effort!” says Elize Fortuin, regional manager: branches.

The three participants who were declared winners were the words “poenskop”, “galery” and “laslappie”.

Words like “sparkling”, “feathers”, “heavenly broom” and “sombompie” (for calculator) also turned heads.

Moira says the feedback from the community after the day was wonderful.

“Everyone wants to do it again. People and businesses have been asking how they can help next year, as if they feel it should be an annual event. Because the carnival was so popular and well-supported, we want to do something with idioms next year during the Swellendam Alive festival.”

However, this dynamic branch chairperson’s head is already busy with the next project plans.

“We would like to acquire a piece of land from the municipality for an open-air theatre where we can hold puppet shows to teach children different values ​​through play.”

If you would like to know more about the wonderful work that ATKV branches do in our communities, or perhaps want to get involved with your nearest branch, please click  here .

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ATKV-tak Drostdy vier fees in Afrikaans!

Die strate van Swellendam was behoorlik opgetower in kleur en kreatiwiteit tydens die ATKV-tak Drostdy se Karnaval van Eenhonderd Woorde wat op 27 September 2025 tydens die Swellendam Alive-fees plaasgevind het. Hierdie karnaval was die geesteskind van Moira Odendaal, beter bekend as “Miss Ruby”. Moira is die takvoorsitter van die ATKV-tak Drostdy wat vanjaar by die ATKV-Kultuurkuier met twee taktoekennings weggestap het.

“Ons taal se verjaarsdag het my geïnspireer om aan iets besonders te dink vir hierdie groot mylpaal – toe broei die idee vir die karnaval van 100 woorde uit,” sê Moira.

Die hele gemeenskap van Swellendam is genader om aan die geleentheid deel te neem. Elke deelnemer het ’n woord gekies en moes dit dan deur middel van hul uitrusting uitbeeld. Leerders van die V.R.T. Pitt Laerskool het saam met elke deelnemer met die woorde geloop.

Die uitvoerende burgemeester van Swellendam, Francois du Rand, het die voortou geneem en die prosessie het op die maat van “Liewe Lewe” deur Laurika Rauch en boeremusiek-vertolkings van “Loslappie” en “Al lê die berge nog so blou” die hoofstraat van Swellendam ingekleur.

“Ons dorp se mense het altyd met trots en passie hul stem laat hoor. Vandag doen ons dit in net 100 woorde, maar met duisende betekenisse. Die ATKV-optog herinner ons dat taal nie net ’n manier van praat is nie, maar ’n manier van leef,” het Francois trots gesê tydens sy toespraak na afloop van die karnaval.

Pryse is aan die beste uitbeeldings toegeken, maar dit was baie moeilik om te kies, want elke deelnemer het eintlik ’n prys verdien. “Almal het soveel moeite gedoen!” vertel Elize Fortuin, streeksbestuurder: takke.

Die drie deelnemers wat as wenners aangewys is, was die woorde “poenskop”, “galery” en “loslappie”. Woorde soos “skitterend”, “vere”, “hemelbesem” en “sompompie” (vir sakrekenaar) het ook die koppe laat draai.

Moira sê die terugvoer van die gemeenskap na afloop van die dag was wonderlik.

“Almal wil dit weer doen. Mense en besighede het gevra hoe hulle volgende jaar kan help, asof hulle voel dit moet ’n jaarlikse instelling wees. Omdat die karnaval so geliefd was en goed ondersteun is, wil ons volgende jaar iets doen met idiome tydens die Swellendam Alive-fees.”

Hierdie dinamiese takvoorsitter se kop is egter klaar weer aan die broei met volgende projekplanne.

“Ons wil graag ’n stukkie grond by die munisipaliteit aanneem vir ’n opelug-teater waar ons poppekas kan hou om vir kinders speel-speel verskillende waardes te leer.”

Indien jy meer wil weet oor die wonderlike werk wat ATKV-takke in ons gemeenskappe doen, of dalk by jou naaste tak betrokke wil raak, klik gerus hier.

source: https://atkv.org.za/nuus/posts/atkv-tak-drostdy-vier-fees-in-afrikaans/