Steemit Blockchain Memory Project - Dad Malan the Inventor

I've been digging into the archives of memories as I was busy baking for a cooking contest here on steemit, using cooking implements made by my Dad many moons ago.

Gem squash cutter used for cutting butternut

My Mom will be 87 in three days time, but still gets out the old rolling pin my Dad made as well as the pastry cutters as she loves baking, pastry being her (as well as my) favourite bake.

Dad was one of eleven children, remember there was no television in those days ;) - one sister and the rest boys - must be a thing with our family as I was the only girl among five children as well!

Growing up in the depression years could not have been easy, but my very talented father's positive outlook did not allow him to wallow in self pity.
No, he would make things if he could not buy them - plus invent all kinds of implements, be it for baking or whatever to make everyday tasks easier.

We only had one radio back in the days before television came to South Africa, yet there was music in every room of the house as Dad installed speakers everywhere - almost like the old drive-in movies where you put your speaker on the car window, if anyone remembers those :) Of course it drove some of us dilly as we did not all like the same music, could turn the volume down of course, but then Dad bought me an LP player in my teens so sounds of the Beatles and sometimes classical music would get mixed up with his Boeremusiek that I really did not fancy; but when the radio dramas came on, we'd all be listening to those!

Dad was a fitter and turner by trade but I truly believed he missed his calling - should have been an educator as he loved explaining mechanical mechanisms - even tried getting me to understand mechanics! No wonder all my brothers are quite nifty with all kinds of stuff.

My father also was an awesomely talented musician born with a musical ear - taught himself to play many instruments - saxophone, clarinet, guitar, piano accordion, concertina among his favourites.

So I'm told Mom and Dad met through my Oupa (Grandpa), who played in a band with Dad's brother.
Dad later formed his own band and they used to play at some pretty grand occasions I'm told; it was the ballroom era after all!
Dad wooed Mom with his guitar playing and he caught her - hook, line and sinker!

Wedding Bells rang out on 19 January 1952

In the photo below, Dad is playing the concertina and Mom the piano; although she says she only knew the chords, could not really play; but their pianist let them down for a big Boeremusiek competition, so she had to stand in; they still came second in the competition :)

Boeremusiek is instrumental folk music played in South Africa at dances and festive occasions. It actually originated in Europe, but changed to its own unique sound when it was brought to South Africa and Namibia. The concertina and piano accordion are the main instruments, with button harmonicas, piano, guitar, cello or bass guitar as well as harmonica used.

My Dad built a vending push cart from scratch for Mom's little home industry - she made pies, jaffles (toasted sandwiches cooked in a jaffle iron press), crumpets filled with jam plus other delicacies, sold at the textile factories nearby, sadly no photos of that!

This extra income was great as it helped getting us through school, pay for sporting activites, piano lessons etc etc, plus we were able to go on three week annual holidays by the sea year in and year out!

Angling was another passion of my father's, and the rest of my family as well ;)
Preparations always were part of the adventure - Dad made his own sinkers, special pumps to suction bait from the lagoons, lures were made up and the tides and moon phases were studied - fishing was quite a science with him.

Then one day I cut my hand quite badly trying to cut a gem squash, this was another problem my Dad had to solve, so he made a Gem Squash cutter which I still use today.
This invention of my Dad was stolen and turned into a Biltong Cutter, a story told by my nephew @therneau about his grandpa about a year ago.

My favourite was the tart and snack carrier Dad made as Mom always was tasked with baking for family get togethers; I got involved with function catering later on and this came in very handy. Dad took out a patent for it and approached two manufacturers but they could not see it as a viable product, so he did not pursue it further, much to my disdain as I knew just how useful it was.

Ancient but still functional!

My Dad was a kind and gentle man, a gentleman too, and always busy on a project or two. He hated retirement, so started working half days at their church as their handyman. He loved this job and the people also loved him; one of his tasks was to fetch all the old dears and bring them to the women's auxiliary meetings - the minister said he was the only one who could drive their ancient VW Kombi :)

Dad always said he hopes to never be a burden to his family - he never was, as he left this world with no goodbyes one morning after suffering a burst aortic aneurism - a huge shock for us but a great way for him to go as he was still very active and never a burden; one of the kindest and most considerate men I've known.

I miss you Dad Malan and wish we could talk just one more time so I could say how thankful and privileged I was to have been your daughter!

These memories have been stored for future generations using the #blockchainmemoryproject, initiated by the wonderfully talented author @ericvancewalton.
Check out his original post Steemit Blockchain Memory Project for the rules of engagement.

Original Content by @lizelle
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