Mossel Bay Advertiser, 26^th December 1936

 THE PASSING OF THE G.O.M. OF JOHNSON’S POST | Good and Faithful Servant | Mr. John McKenzie Johnson | “Father, Judge and Councilor” | Fine Masonic Tribute |

 In the passing, on the 14^th inst., of Mr. John Mackenzie Johnson, J.P. of Johnson’s Post, near the mouth of the Gouritz River, after an illness of a month, a legion of friends throughout the Cape will mourn the death of a wonderful personality.

Living up to over 83 years of age a life that had been a dynamic effort, he was hail, hearty and busy up to a few weeks ago when he caught a chill that led to double pneumonia.  A man of many parts, he had built up a reputation for business integrity and straight dealing that were known throughout the countryside and to this a fine Masonic tribute at his graveside was made.

Mr. Johnson’s grandfather, John Mackenzie Johnson, was the captain of the 60th Foot Battalion and was Captain of the guard over Napoleon at St. Helena – during the regime of Lord Charles Somerset as Governor at the Cape.

Captain Johnson eventually settled in George as a law agent and became a most earnest churchman, being an active and zealous member of Saint Mark’s church, now the Cathedral of the Diocese of George. During the building of the church he was secretary of the building fund.

The late Mr. Johnson was born in George and at the age of 21 went to Vogel Vlei as a clerk in the business of the late Mr. Bayman (Senior).  Previously to that he had served for a time in the printing trade.  When Mr. Bayman retired from business, Mr. Johnson took over the whole concern and later transferred his business to Brakkefontein where he has been living for the last 28 years.

Johnson’s post was the center of call for traveler, friend, and stranger and all were assured of a hearty welcome.

As typical of the energy of the man it may be mentioned that in season and out Mr. Johnson was up and about every morning at 5:00.

This is a recorded tribute to the man whose name adorns the buildings at Johnson’s Post.

That these buildings have been in The Family for more than 125 years is quite a claim to make these days.

In that time there are sure to be a few stories to tell.  But these will get dusted off as soon as the legend starts to regain some of the lost glint in her eye.  As we unearth these stories – she’s telling them in tantalising ways – as resistance folds in favour of flow….

Nougat Ice Cream, Rumtopf, Favolosa, Doringboom amongst the aloes…

A river runs through it all:  through the story and the land that stretches between here and there.  It’s the Gouritz River, and Johnson’s Post is perched just above it as it reaches its near terminus at Gouritzmond.

In the time that I have known this “Golden River” it hasn’t thrown up much of a fuss.  But occasionally when it does (during times of heavy inland rains) there’s no knowing where the current will take the flood waters.  Or maybe that’s not true.  Experience has shown that the tide and currents are habitual at where they dump flotsam and jetsam, and they inevitably end up in predictable places on the beach.

It’s almost like a simile for life.  Hold the vision, trust the process…

Take the leap into the golden current of life with your dreams and aspirations.  Paint a smile on your lips as you cross your arms across your chest, give grateful thanks for your awareness of self, satisfied in the knowledge that in this moment of risk, of breath, of belief in yourself, that the outcome will be as you desire.

Mossel Bay Advertiser continued, …

 And may we who survive him anticipate our approaching fate and be more strongly cemented in the ties of friendship and service so that during the short space allotted to our present existence, we may wisely and usefully employ the time in promoting the welfare and happiness of each other.

 Life is short.  It’s fleeting.  When we get down into awareness, we realize the power of the present moment.

And whilst one Johnson jumps at life at 21, another retires at 46; another – this one – only now starts to get the truth behind it all at 45.  The possibilities oozing from the day that lies before the 7-year-old are the same as that of the 70-year-old.

All these numbers – to signify what, exactly?  When the truth is this is our time.  Now.  And now!

What nourishment passed these lips today?  Angus beef fillet, garden green salad, fruit salad, protein supplement with Creatine & Glutamine.  Lemon water, omegas and magnesium.  Chocolate biscuits. And peanut butter… and I feel it in my fingers.