UFO AFRINEWS - No 09

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO AFRINEWS
Issue: No. 9
Date: February 1994

This issue of UFO AFRINEWS is a 15-page magazine focused on UFO sightings, abduction experiences, and related phenomena, with a particular emphasis on cases from Africa. The cover features the magazine's title, an outline of Africa, a drawing of an antelope, and a UFO illustration, along with the issue number and date.

Editorial

The editorial, written by Cynthia Hind, reflects on her experiences attending two UFO conferences in the United States in June and July 1993: Dr. Leo Sprinkle's 'abductee' gathering in Wyoming and the annual MUFON Conference in Virginia. She quotes Dr. John Mack, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, who stated, "Are UFOs real? I would like us to go beyond that level to looking at what this really means, accepting that something important is, in fact, going on that we do not understand." Hind expresses her long-held conviction that something unusual is happening, even if most sightings can be explained by conventional means. She argues that the UFO phenomenon is not confined to one continent, citing instances in remote areas of Africa and China, and questions how such widespread reports can be explained by 'racial memories' or hysteria alone. She notes the detailed nature of UFO phenomena, which goes beyond simple explanations.

The editorial also touches upon the nature of abduction experiences, questioning whether they could be related to racial memory or hysterical trauma, but suggests that the consistent patterns observed across different cultures warrant explicit study. Hind mentions her own speculation that 'aliens' might be from another time rather than another planet, clarifying that this was a personal hypothesis, not a definitive statement. She concludes by asserting that the phenomenon is happening now and that those who record these events are the historians, whose records will endure.

Table of Contents

The magazine includes a variety of articles and case reports, categorized as follows:

• PILOT ENCOUNTERS UFO: Case No 82
• 'MEXICAN HAT' Craft: Case No 84
• ABDUCTIONS:
• STRANGE 'VISITOR': Case N° 77
• ISABEL'S STORY: Case N° 83
• LOCKED OUTSIDE IN THE DARK: Case N° 85
• STRANGERS IN THE GARDEN: Case N° 80
• A SURVEY: UFO CATEGORIES
• 'BUS' IN THE SKY: Case N° 78
• LITS (Lights in the Sky): Case N° 81
• SEA LIGHT: Case N° 81
• MINIATURE RED LIGHTS: Case N° 79
• LIGHTS OVER MUDZI VILLAGE: Case N° 86
• A LITTLE BIT OF ASTRONOMY...
• VARIOUS QUERIES FROM PREVIOUS CASES
• CONCLUSION
• RECOMMENDED BOOKSELLERS
• RECOMMENDED UFO MAGAZINES

Case Reports and Articles

PILOT ENCOUNTERS UFO (Case No 82)
This report details an incident on November 14, 1989, where an Air Force pilot flying above Mafikeng, Bophuthatswana, encountered a silver, rugby ball-shaped UFO with flashing red and green lights. The object moved away, then followed the pilot at a higher altitude. The pilot's account was initially linked to a hoax about a UFO crash in the Kalahari desert by James van Greunen. The Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) stated they do not conduct special UFO investigations but would do so if an interesting observation occurred. However, a TV program revealed CSIR was unwilling to discuss their UFO knowledge and suggested logical explanations for sightings since 1981.

'MEXICAN HAT' Craft (Case N° 84)
This case describes an experience in Kimberley, South Africa, where the witness saw a bright, shining, large object that changed colors from orange to purple and red. It moved slowly and appeared to have tripod legs. The object was seen on four consecutive nights, traveling north to south. The witness could smell something like coal smoke. Drawings of the object were made. The report notes that Kimberley is a town of approximately 85,000 people and mentions the 'Big Hole' and De Beers Corporation. The object's shape is compared to Case N° 42 and an object seen by Audrey Howell in Transvaal.

ABDUCTIONS:

• STRANGE 'VISITOR' (Case N° 77) Susan, from Masvingo, Zimbabwe, recounts an experience from her childhood (around age 12-13) where she woke to find a tall entity in her room. She was paralyzed and frightened. The entity, described as a man with no discernible features, stood looking at her. The incident occurred after her father's death. She later recalled the event after hearing Cynthia Hind discuss abduction cases. Hypnosis is banned in Zimbabwe without medical recommendation.

• ISABEL'S STORY (Case N° 83) Isabel, a 34-year-old Zimbabwean, describes traumatic experiences between ages 11 and 22. These included hearing heavy breathing, seeing a lamp-like object, and a spiritualist claiming she was haunted. Later, she experienced waking up as if falling, seeing grey, high cheek-boned entities with large black eyes. She suffered from anxiety, stress, and physical ailments. She also recounts an incident from childhood near Durban, South Africa, where she met a man by a dam, with no other people or cars around.

• LOCKED OUTSIDE IN THE DARK (Case N° 85) Charmaine, from Natal, South Africa, recounts two terrifying experiences. At age 8 or 9, she woke up in her isolated farm garden in the dark, feeling extremely cold and alone, unable to move. Her mother found her standing on the back step. Later, at age 15, while visiting her sister-in-law in Johannesburg, she saw a huge, brilliant white light outside her window. She also mentions a paper-thin cut on her thigh, which her mother noted looked like a self-inflicted wound from 3-4 days prior. She has read Budd Hopkins' book 'INTRUDERS'.

STRANGERS IN THE GARDEN (Case N° 80)
This case report is not fully detailed in the provided pages, but its inclusion in the table of contents suggests it involves an encounter with unknown beings in a garden setting.

A SURVEY: UFO CATEGORIES
This article likely discusses different classifications or types of UFO sightings and phenomena.

'BUS' IN THE SKY (Case N° 78)
This case report, indicated by its title, likely describes a sighting of a large, bus-like aerial object.

LITS (Lights in the Sky) / SEA LIGHT (Case N° 81)
These entries suggest reports of unexplained lights observed in the sky or over the sea.

MINIATURE RED LIGHTS (Case N° 79)
This case likely details sightings of small, red lights in the sky.

LIGHTS OVER MUDZI VILLAGE (Case N° 86)
This report focuses on lights observed over a specific village, Mudzi.

A LITTLE BIT OF ASTRONOMY...
This section likely provides astronomical context or information related to UFO sightings.

VARIOUS QUERIES FROM PREVIOUS CASES
This article addresses questions or clarifications regarding earlier reported cases.

CONCLUSION
A summary or concluding thoughts on the topics presented in the issue.

RECOMMENDED BOOKSELLERS & RECOMMENDED UFO MAGAZINES
These sections provide resources for readers interested in further exploration of the UFO phenomenon.

Personal Thoughts on Aliens

This section contains a short, poetic reflection by the author, wondering about the aliens' intentions and why they haven't made more direct contact, concluding with a humorous note about their potential narrow doorways and her own size.

Isaac Asimov Says

This section features a quote from the late scientist and writer Isaac Asimov, discussing the probability of extraterrestrial life in the universe. He estimates that there could be as many as 640,000,000 Earth-like planets in our galaxy alone and potentially 100 advanced civilizations, while acknowledging the vastness of the universe and the statistical challenges in determining the prevalence of intelligent life.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO AFRINEWS revolve around personal testimonies of UFO sightings and abduction experiences, particularly from African countries. The editorial stance, as articulated by Cynthia Hind, is one of conviction that the UFO phenomenon is real and significant, urging for its serious investigation and documentation. There is a clear focus on presenting eyewitness accounts and exploring the psychological and cultural aspects of these encounters. The magazine also engages with scientific perspectives, as seen in the inclusion of Isaac Asimov's thoughts on extraterrestrial life, and acknowledges the skepticism surrounding the topic while advocating for open-mindedness and continued research.

This issue of UFOS magazine, identified as Case N° 80 and N° 81, published by Gemini Publishers and dated July 10th, 1993, focuses on various UFO and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon) sightings and encounters, primarily from South Africa and Zimbabwe. The magazine features interviews with witnesses, commentary from investigators and experts, and a survey of reader beliefs.

Case N° 80: STRANGERS IN THE GARDEN

This section details an interview with Janet by Pam Puxley in Cape Town, South Africa. Janet recounts an experience from around 1978/79 when she saw two figures dressed in black leather with unusual, egg-shaped helmets and suits near her neighbour Colleen's house. She felt a strange, frightening sensation and alerted Colleen. The figures vanished inexplicably, leaving no footprints despite the loose soil. Janet described them as looking like 'comic-strip characters, like alien beings.'

Janet also recalls an incident in Gibraltar, possibly in 1974/5, where she repeatedly saw a red light in the sky that behaved like a falling star but was more unusual. She describes it as a massive ball of flame, ten times bigger than the sun, stationary in the sky, and flashing with lights.

The interview also touches upon Janet's daughter, Sabine, who developed flower-shaped marks on her leg, similar to a scar, and experienced other skin allergies. The interviewer notes that Janet has no conscious recollection of abduction, and leading questions were avoided.

Case N° 78: 'BUS' IN THE SKY

This case, interviewed by Pam Puxley on July 10th, 1993, features Avril from Cape Town. Avril and three friends witnessed an object shaped like a bus, white with black windows, moving across a mountain. It reappeared later, black with white windows, and then vanished completely. Avril also recalls an earlier sighting, about 8 to 10 years prior, of a massive, stationary ball of orange-yellow flame in the sky.

The commentary by Pam Puxley notes the difficulty in assessing such descriptions, especially when witnesses are not trained observers. The 'bus' description is considered uncommon, with a reference to a similar case in 'UFOS-AFRICAN ENCOUNTERS'.

Case N° 81: LITS (Lights in the Sky) - SEA LIGHT

Sandra, interviewed by Pam Puxley in Muizenberg, South Africa, describes an incident in April 1993. While walking on the beach with her husband's friend Mark, she saw a bright white light that moved erratically, stopped, and then shot off at high speed. The light emitted a narrow, translucent beam. They also observed a man standing thigh-deep in the water, with an expressionless face, who then walked out and disappeared. Mark, who had been in the Air Force, could not identify the object as a helicopter.

Sandra had seen similar lights before. The commentary notes the foul weather and late hour of the sighting.

Case N° 79: MINIATURE RED LIGHTS

Karen from Cape Town, interviewed by Pam Puxley, recounts an event from around April or May 1993. While in bed, she heard a strange, high-pitched electronic beep and saw two small, bright red lights about 50-75 cm off the floor, which rose and then disappeared. She noted there was nothing in her room that could reflect such lights. Karen became secretive about the event. Her husband believed her. A similar beep was heard by a shop employee. Pam Puxley reenacted the event and confirmed no external lights could have produced the phenomenon. Karen also recalled that a clock and watch stopped during the incident.

Case N° 86: LIGHTS OVER MUDZI VILLAGE

Investigated by Gunter Hofer in Zimbabwe, this case describes a sighting in August 1989 where several hundred villagers witnessed a sharp-nosed white object with whitish flames, followed by smaller objects, moving at high speed (about 30 meters above the ground) from north to south over Mudzi village. There was no noise or smell. The witness thought it might be a meteor but could not explain the trailing objects or its low altitude.

A SURVEY: UFO CATEGORIES

This section presents a survey for readers to categorize their beliefs about UFOs. The categories include: total disbelievers, believers in benign craft, believers in craft with specific intentions (mineral extraction, water/flora/fauna examination), believers in craft conveying messages of destruction, believers in craft offering messages for betterment, those who believe in complex, non-craft explanations, those who believe ETs are malevolent, and those who believe UFOs are linked to Satanism. Readers are asked to respond by postcard to an address in Harare, Zimbabwe.

UFO INVESTIGATORS

A short poem describes various types of UFO investigators, highlighting those who are arrogant, benign, charming, sharp, rude, or clever, and emphasizing the value of those who listen sympathetically and rationally.

VARIOUS QUERIES FROM PREVIOUS CASES

UFO AFRINEWS N° 7 - 'Click' Sound

Albert Budden writes from the UK, explaining the 'click' sound reported in UFO encounters as a natural phenomenon called the 'Page Effect,' caused by magnetostrictive forces in ferrous materials subjected to magnetic fields. He criticizes the tendency in UFO study to attribute paranormal causes to natural effects.

The editor replies, acknowledging that the 'click' might trigger an altered state of consciousness in witnesses, suggesting it could be a trigger point for encounters.

Case N° 48 in UFO AFRINEWS N° 7

This case involves a woman in South Africa who claims to have been visited by hooded people and repeatedly raped, experiencing paralysis and inability to make sound. Albert Budden comments that this could be explained by external radiation affecting the mind and body, specifically the temporal lobe, citing Persinger's experiments.

Case N° 49 in UFO AFRINEWS N° 7

This case describes Jack Jones travelling from Bloemfontein to Vanderbijlpark, South Africa, accompanied by a large ball of flames. The object, about 8-12 meters in diameter and 20-25 meters off the ground, followed his car, disappearing and reappearing. Jones considered shooting at it, but desisted due to his passenger's fear. Albert Budden comments that Jones encountered a natural UAP and criticizes the implication of intelligence in the original report, comparing it to belief in fairies. He suggests possibilities for the UAP's disappearance, including ambient electromagnetic fields from towns affecting the UAP's visibility or repelling it.

A LITTLE BIT OF ASTRONOMY...

This section aims to provide basic astronomy information for laymen, discussing the ten nearest stars to Earth and the chances of life existing there. It includes a table listing stars like Centauri, Bernard's Star, Wolf 359, Lal 21185, Sirius, UV Ceti, Ross 154, Ross 248, Epsilon Eridani, and Ross 128, along with their ages and potential for life.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, encounters with unexplained aerial phenomena, and the subjective experiences of witnesses. The magazine presents a variety of cases, from humanoid figures and strange lights to bus-shaped objects and balls of flame. There is an emphasis on detailed witness accounts and the challenges of interpreting these events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, presenting cases and expert commentary, while also acknowledging natural explanations where applicable, as seen in the discussion of the 'Page Effect' and electromagnetic influences. The magazine encourages reader participation through surveys and letters, aiming to explore the complexities of the UFO phenomenon.

This issue of UFO AFRINEWS features an editorial commentary on a specific UFO case involving Jack Jones and an analysis by Mr. Budden. The magazine also includes reflections on the state of ufology and a directory of recommended booksellers and UFO magazines.

Editor's Comments on Case N° 49

The editor begins by addressing Mr. Budden's analysis of Case N° 49, stating that Mr. Budden has not read the case correctly and that the report was based on Jack Jones' words, not the editors' implications of 'intelligence' to the phenomenon. The core of the editor's critique focuses on the unexplained aspects of the event: how a ball of flames specifically targeted Jack Jones' car as he left Kroonstad, a busy thoroughfare, at night. The editor points out that hundreds of cars travel this route to avoid the daytime heat, and Kroonstad is a town of approximately 75,000 people in an agriculturally rich area, implying many cars would have been present. The editor questions how the phenomenon, if it possessed any 'intelligence,' would know to pick out Jones' car. Furthermore, the editor questions how a fire-ball, even if related to EM fields noted in other towns Jones passed through, could know about an electrical sub-station at Jones' home, which was over three hundred kilometers away near Vanderbijlpark.

The editor expresses a willingness to accept natural phenomenon explanations or other reasonable hypotheses but finds Mr. Budden's consideration of this particular case insufficient. The magazine offers to publish logical alternative explanations for this and two other cases in future issues.

Conclusion: The State of Ufology

The editor then shifts to a broader reflection on the investigation of UFO stories. A recurring observation is that as soon as cases are recorded, there is an immediate response from other investigators. Some are overly enthusiastic, deeming the case marvelous and the witnesses 100% accurate. Others are overly critical, immediately labeling the witness as a hoaxer or liar, or dismissing the story as impossible.

The editor finds it astounding that these responding investigators often have not spoken to or seen the witnesses themselves, nor visited the site, nor evaluated the credibility of the individuals involved beyond what is written. While acknowledging that investigators might make errors due to excitement or anticipation, the editor asserts that no case can be fully understood in a single session. The process involves entering the case into a computer, printing it out, and then carefully studying the details, with follow-up interviews to fill in the blanks. The editor also notes that interesting cases are often shared with other investigators for their comments and suggestions.

The editor's primary concern is the severe, sharp, and ugly criticism that arises within the ufology community. The editor states a preference for constructive feedback rather than harsh denigration, especially when dealing with initial drafts of case reports. The editor appeals for a more collaborative approach, stating, "We need each other if we are to get anywhere at all with this fascinating but deeply ridiculed study." The plea is for criticism to come from outside the community, not from within.

The UFO Conference (Poem)

A short, lighthearted poem titled "The UFO Conference" describes a gathering where attendees, despite their varied appearances, all react with excitement and loud pronouncements upon sighting what they believe to be a UFO, only for it to be revealed as a passing plane.

Recommended Booksellers and UFO Magazines

The issue concludes with extensive lists of recommended booksellers and UFO magazines, categorized by region (South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia, Great Britain). This section provides contact information and subscription details for various publications and stores catering to UFO enthusiasts.

Notable books for sale from Gemini are also listed, including titles like "The Eternal Subject," "Alternative Realities," "Chariots of the Gods?", "Sky Crash," "Flying Saucers," "Phenomenon," "Our Ancestors Came From Outer Space," and "UFOs-African Encounters," along with their prices and condition.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical analysis of UFO cases, the importance of thorough investigation, and the dynamics within the ufology community. The editor's stance is one of advocating for rigorous yet fair investigation, encouraging collaboration among researchers, and discouraging overly harsh or dismissive criticism from within the field. The editor values constructive feedback and a balanced approach to evaluating UFO reports, emphasizing that the study of UFOs requires mutual support and a willingness to explore all possibilities.