Fortunate

First a bit about African Bee's. http://www.desertusa.com/mag98/sep/stories/kbees.html

Africanized Honey Bees (AHB) -- also called Africanized bees or killer bees -- are descendants of southern African bees imported in 1956 by Brazilian scientists attempting to breed a honey bee better adapted to the South American tropics.







Where to start? I am gathering a bit of info about the many great people that i have had the privilege of meeting and getting very close to. Case in point 1 Johannes Relleke. A mountain of a man, a man of great presence, a man of fortitude and a man that I hold in the highest regard.




Whilst living in the sleepy town of Margate I came across a fraternity of men, not going to mention names or describe it, but was never the less intrigued by it. My then partner knew of some people that knew of other people that got me acquainted with some of the members of this ancient fraternity.



I was invited to meet up and was met by senior members and got affiliated and then later joined. What followed was a life altering choice and a decision that made me who I am today. Brian Relleke was soon to become an integral part of my life and goings forth. He alone is a great guy who even though moved to Australia is still part of my thoughts and we communicate quite frequently via email. His wife Gaylene and daughter Kirsty are fantastic and form a great family with a lot of history and part of a legacy.



However my post tonight is about Brian’s dad and Kirsty’s dadudz . Johannes Relleke. Johannes Relleke a mountain of a man (literally) is a man with such a long History that it would take days to read and write about him. Heres an excerpt from one of the articles about him.





Johannes Relleke survived 2,443 bee stings on Jan. 28, 1962, at the Gwai River in Rhodesia. Taken from this link . http://www.trivia-library.com/b/kevin-goldstein-jackson-collection-of-fun-and-bizarre-trivia.htm

The story as told by John is that some of his workers at the tin mine he worked and managed on in Rhodesia had gone missing. Along with another worker and his trusty Rhodesian Ridgeback he went searching for them. He basically walked into an ambush of African bee’s. Each man to his own he and his dog ran for the river whilst being chased down by the swarm. Running on a ledge he decided to make a jump for it into the Gwai river. He grabbed his dog and made the leap. The bee’s followed suite and continued their barrage on him and all he could think about was his dog. He proceeded to put the dog under and leave only its nose exposed as to get some air into the dog. This selfless act resulted in John being stung in the face, throat and lips every time he went up for air.



What seemed like an eternity and many miles down the river literally with his life in the balance and bee’s still swarming around him he got a little respite in shallower water. It was at this point that John noticed that his trusty dog had become quite restless. What eventually happened was that a croc had come into the proximity and taken the dog out of his hands. Sad really considering that he had protected it the whole way. Irony maybe that the dog sensing the danger had risked its life in return.

This act of defiance resulted in John being entered and to this day as a Guinness world record holder for the person with the most bee stings sustained and surviving. Quite funny was that he went deaf in I think the left ear, and years after the ordeal he was thrown to the mat in a judo practice session. Low and behold a bee popped out of his ear and he could hear again. This story is a small part of the achievements he has gained after. John’s daughter passed away and I was asked and privileged enough to deliver a eulogy on Brian’s behalf. John for the first time ever was as sad as I had ever seen him. However being the man that I know he once again stood against adversity and forged ahead.



Call this what you may and chose to, but John much respect and love. You are a man that I wish I was half of. Brian you are a mate of mates and I look forward to seeing you one day again. John thanks for driving Brian and I around every Friday when we were pissed or pissing it up. Kirsty , by the pictures your dad has sent me I can see that you have blossomed into a beautiful young lady. Gay, you are a fantastic person and always will be.



Love you guy’s stacks……



Miss you!



See you on the square.