LRP Tour

 Introduction

The LRP's at Cape Point

For those who do not know, the abbreviation LRP stands for locally recruited personnel. They serve as personal assistants and drivers to the head of mission, translators and interpreters, trade secretaries, bookkeepers and receptionists among others.

Embassies, high commissions and consulates rely on the services of the locally recruited staff members who have knowledge of local customs and languages. This adds enormous value to the transferred staff’s ability to do its job. At the same time, local staff also save the government substantial amounts in salaries and other benefits which it would have to pay to transferred staff members, such as cost of relocation, temporary housing, and other costs-of-living abroad adjustments.

Although the embassy in Ankara was too newly establish for any local staff member to qualify for this visit, as ambassador from 1997 to 2001 I want pay tribute to my LRPs for the invaluable support they gave during my term in Turkey.

Tom Wheeler

LRP Tour

So much to do, so much to see
On the LRP tour in February

A group of strangers when we started

Who had become friends when we parted.

Cape Point, Table Mountain - beauty galore
The sight of these places made our spirits soar
Kirstenbosch Gardens, the penguins and seals
(with time in between for great tasting meals)!

We'll never forget the banquet and braai

The warmth of our welcome and the beautiful sea
The animals we saw in Kruger Park

And the rhino' at Sanbonani after dark!

The Northern Drakensbergs - a sight to behold
Blyde River Canyon - its beauty unfolds

The African Village and Pilgrims Rest

The Palace, Sun City, a place full of zest.

With thanks to both ladies for keeping us straight
Irma and Rita - you were just simply great

The rest of the 'crew', the drivers and guides
They worked very hard so we'd enjoy every ride!

One day we'll be back - until then we'll remember
The warmth of the people and all of the splendour
On behalf of the group - our praise is unending

And with this small verse, our thanks we are sending.

Pam & Ted Haralambous April 2000

  

WEEK ENDED APRIL 22.1983                    REGISTERED AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AS A NEWSPAPER 

Embassy locals work 185 years

These foreign "local recruits" at the South African Embassy in Washington, shown with South Africa's Ambassador to the US, Dr Brand Fourie, centre, have worked a total of 185 years for the South African Government. They come from America, England, Canada and Jamaica. They are, from left: Mr R Stitt, America, 27 years; Miss Denomy, Canada, 29 years; Mrs G Young, England, 20 years; Mr B Burger, America, 21 years; Mr V Steward, England, 25 years; Miss A Samuels, England, 20 years; Mrs D Huppert, America, 23 years; Mr K Harriott, Jamaica, 20 years. The combined total of 185 years is a record and indicates the happy working environment for South African staff and local recruits. Dr Fourie has served the South African Government for 49 years.

NOTE: Several of these Locally Recruited Staff members were on the staff of the Embassy in Washington DC when I arrived there in 1963 and at least one, Kenneth Harriott, was still working there when I visited the Embassy in 2014. Sadly he did not seem to qualify for the Long-Servicing LRP visit to South Africa in 2000.

Tom Wheeler