A new Shellhole has been formed. This is an event that does not take place often these days, as numbers are dwindling, and Shellholes are closing or amalgamating.

So to all Moths, let us welcome the new baby into the fold and hope that it is a sign that perhaps the tide is beginning to turn.

The new Shellhole is Kaplyn Shellhole and situated in the coastal town of Stilbaai, or in English, Still Bay.

The name Kaplyn is pure Third Generation and totally South African. For every troopie who ever served on the Border knew what the Kaplyn was and probably crossed it many times on patrols.

The reason why it was formed is that Ken Meyer lived in Stilbaai and was a member of Outeniqua Shellhole. That meant a round trip of some 400 km to attend monthly meetings. But when you really want to be a Moth, this is a small price to pay. He also rounded up others from Stilbaai and they made the monthly trip together.

But then they decided to, in the words of General Jannie Geldenhuys, "Work smarter, not harder", and applied to form their own Shellhole in Stilbaai.

Their application to open up their own Shellhole was fully supported by the Outeniqua Shellhole, and in turn was driven all the way by the District, and fully supported by Province.

They obtained the use of facilities at the local caravan park to use as a Shellhole, and initially, when permission was granted to set up their inaugural meeting, it was to have been held at their Shellhole. However they were swamped with Moths from all over wanting to be part of their birth. Thus at the last moment the actual venue for inauguration was changed to a disused café in the town, that would accommodate all the welcome guests.

And so amid much pomp and ceremony, not seen in Mothdom for many years, the new Shellhole was born. Long may it survive and grow from strength to strength, drawing in all those from Stilbaai, Riversdale and Swellendam, for there must be many farmers who saw Border service in these areas, and who can readily associate the name Kaplyn, for they were during their spell as a troopie "op die Grens".

An anomaly was that they asked if they could fall under Cape Eastern Provincial Dugout umbrella instead of the Cape Midland Provincial Dugout. The reason was simply that their entire new Shellhole of 10 Blokes all came from the Cape Eastern Provincial Dugout, via the Garden Route District, and they knew virtually all the Garden Route Moths personally. This request was granted.