UFO AFRINEWS - No 21

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO AFRINEWS, titled the 'Millennium Issue' and dated January 2000 (No. 21), is presented as a special edition to commemorate the new millennium. The editor, Cynthia Hind, expresses hope for the magazine's continued publication and notes the departure of Asst. Editor Maria Sullivan, who will still contribute cases from her new location near the Mozambique border. Hind emphasizes the magazine's commitment to featuring African UFO cases, which she feels are often overlooked by international authors.

Key Articles and Features

Editorial Stance

Cynthia Hind opens the issue by reflecting on the start of the new millennium and the magazine's 11-year history. She expresses a desire to re-present significant UFO cases that have personally involved her team, aiming to highlight African contributions to the field that are often omitted in global UFO literature. She questions why African cases might be dismissed and asserts UFO AFRINEWS's role in bringing these accounts to light.

Physical Evidence Cases

The Danie van Graan Case (Loxton, South Africa): This case, dated July 31, 1975, is described as having the 'best ever' physical effects. Danie van Graan encountered a caravan-like craft with four short, strange occupants. The craft emitted a beam of light that affected him, causing him to stagger, vomit, and later suffer from conjunctivitis and double vision, eventually dying of cancer. The site of the encounter showed five distinct tine marks, arrow-like indentations, and a criss-crossed imprint, with grey-green granules identified as thaumacite. The area where the craft stood showed no growth for about 18 months.

The Rosmead Tennis Court UFO (Rosmead, South Africa): Occurring on November 12, 1972, this incident involved four soldiers witnessing red lights circling a primary school tennis court. Later, the headmaster, Harold Truter, discovered holes in the court surface and scattered tarmac. Simultaneously, a police officer observed a strange, shape-shifting light in the sky. The court, fenced and locked, showed several holes, some large, and pieces of tarmac were found embedded in nearby trees at a height of two meters. The police laboratory found no radiation, and the damage was initially attributed to children.

Pilot Testimonies

'Are Pilots 'Extraordinary' Witnesses?': This section explores the credibility of pilot testimonies. John Schuessler is cited as stating that 10% of pilots have seen UFOs. The article questions why pilots' reports might be given more weight than those of other professionals or ordinary citizens, arguing that witness stability and character are paramount. However, it acknowledges that pilots, being in aircraft, may have clearer views and built-in witnesses.

• Captain Graham Sheppard: A report from 1967 details Sheppard piloting a plane from London to Scotland when air traffic control warned of a fast-moving object. Sheppard and his crew saw a 30-foot disc-shaped craft pass within meters. In March 1967, the same crew witnessed two unidentified objects performing an aerobatic display over the Bay of Biscay. Sheppard later took early retirement.
• Pan American Pilots (July 14, 1952): Two pilots reported seeing a formation of six flying discs that joined with two others and flew away at high speed near Norfolk, Virginia. The objects were described as looking like 'hot, orange-red metal.'
• Swissair Boeing 747 (August 9, 1997): A near-miss incident with a glowing white cylindrical object travelling at extreme speed.
• Captain Phil Bobet (New York Kennedy Airport): A Boeing 747 crew reported a weather balloon, but Captain Bobet disagreed, describing a sighting 16 minutes after takeoff.
• Herve Giraud (Dijon, France): A Mirage IV bomber pilot and his navigator saw a very bright light tailing them at 1500 meters, which then departed at supersonic speed.
• BAe 146 Flight (Sweden to Humberside): An air crew reported a UFO the size of a battleship, described as silver-coloured and pencil-thin.
• Squadron Leader A.J. Roberts (Zimbabwe): Flying a Tiger Moth near Lake Chivero, Roberts and a student pilot spotted a silver, elliptical sausage-shaped object that hovered and then departed at high speed. The object was estimated to be about 12 meters long.

Other Cases and Topics

The Megan Quezet Case (Krugersdorp, South Africa): On January 3, 1979, Megan Quezet and her son André encountered an egg-shaped metallic craft with 'spider legs' and occupants described as having high-pitched voices and brown curly hair. The craft departed within 30 seconds. Later, during hypnotic regression, Megan spoke of being on board.

'Alien Hair?' (Out of Africa): This section introduces a case investigated by Bill Chalker involving a hair follicle from a supposed 'alien' contact. Peter Khoury, born in Lebanon and emigrated to Australia, reported experiences including seeing an unusual light and figures in his bedroom. A 15 cm long whitish hair found wrapped around his penis after an encounter was analyzed. DNA analysis suggested it was biologically close to human genetics but of a different hair type, possibly sharing a common maternal ancestor with a rare Mongoloid-Chinese racial type from 2000-10000 years ago.

Report on Underground Facilities (by Pete Willsher): The author recounts his band's experiences in the late 1960s playing at the 'Smugglers Club' in Hullbridge, England. He recalls a conversation with an explosives expert named Graham who worked for a multi-national organization involved in constructing large underground facilities in various countries, including Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, and the Far East. Graham was advised not to ask about the nature of these installations. Years later, the author connects this to reports of underground Air Force, Army, and possibly Alien bases. The article also describes a separate multi-witness sighting of a strange red rotating UFO and smaller glowing spheres over the River Crouch.

The Millennium Section: A short poetic piece titled 'THE MILLENNIUM' offers a somewhat fatalistic outlook on predictions of doom for the year 2000.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent presence of UFOs and related phenomena, particularly within Africa, and the importance of investigating and documenting these events. The editorial stance, as articulated by Cynthia Hind, is one of advocacy for African UFO cases, challenging the perceived bias in international UFO literature and asserting the validity of local investigations. There is a strong emphasis on physical evidence and credible witness accounts, whether from pilots, police, or ordinary citizens. The magazine also explores the potential for alien contact and the existence of clandestine underground facilities, positioning itself as a platform for presenting diverse and often controversial aspects of the UFO phenomenon.

This issue of UFO AFRINEWS, dated June/July 1999 and published by UFO Research (Queensland), focuses on the contributions of Professor J. Allen Hynek and presents several intriguing witness accounts of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and alleged alien contact.

In Memoriam: Prof. J. Allen Hynek

Authored by Cynthia Hind, this section pays tribute to Professor J. Allen Hynek, who passed away in 1986. Hynek's involvement with UFOs began in 1948 when he served as an astronomical consultant to the United States Air Force. Initially skeptical, he later became a prominent ufologist, founding the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) in 1973. Hind recounts her first meeting with Hynek in Brasil, highlighting his attentive listening and confidence-building nature. She recalls a conversation where Hynek expressed his belief that UFOs might originate from 'another Time or another Dimension' rather than other planets. He also encouraged Hind's investigative work, particularly regarding potential UFO activity in Africa, suggesting the continent might be a proving ground due to its less media-saturated population.

Unidentified Sightings

Report from Mary (South Africa) - Case N° 150

In October 1998, in Johannesburg, Mary and her family witnessed a solid-silver sphere moving erratically in a clear sky. The object appeared metallic, with a dark shadow on its non-sunlit side, and seemed to be propelled. They also saw a second, white object. Both were visible for about 10 minutes. Mary, who had experience with weather stations, dismissed the possibility of them being weather balloons due to their simultaneous presence and opposite movement, and the sudden 'vanishing' of the white object.

Report from Graham (Harare) - Case N° 151

In November 1997, in Harare, Graham observed a silver disc that remained stationary for about 10 seconds before accelerating rapidly and disappearing. He then saw another disc in the same spot. He cannot accept they were weather balloons due to their metallic appearance and unusual acceleration. The Met. Office in Harare confirmed that weather balloons are typically aluminium, released at midday or midnight, and take about 100 minutes to reach altitude before bursting. While wind could potentially move a balloon back, Graham's observation of rapid acceleration from stationary is deemed unusual.

Report from Kurwama Kanengoni (Harare) - Case N° 152

In April 1998, Kurwama Kanengoni, then 18, witnessed an American football-shaped object moving slowly at tree-top height (about 20 metres above ground) with an unusual crackling noise and glowing colours. The object appeared suddenly and moved within his visual range before disappearing. He initially thought it was a meteorite but dismissed this due to its low altitude and proximity.

Contact by Remote Control

This section details the extraordinary experiences of Jeff and Cathy, a couple from the coast of South Africa.

Initial Contact and Messages

In June 1996, Jeff and Cathy received a series of messages via computer discs, allegedly left by an elderly man. These messages, purportedly from an entity named 'George', warned of self-destruction, indicated they were chosen for their dedication, and instructed them to access information from an 'Air Force Base'. The messages suggested they were being monitored and that 'George' sent his regards.

Ongoing Communication and Tasks

Over several months, Jeff and Cathy exchanged messages with 'George' via discs left at Cathy's house or Jeff's car. They were told they were chosen for their loyalty and honesty. One message instructed them to contact a specific entity to help secure their site and mentioned an overseas contact. A further communication suggested a secret meeting location at a hydro scheme at night. The discs were to be destroyed after reading, and a single-word reply was required. One disc allegedly contained instructions to hack into military sites for UFO information.

Physical Manifestations and Warnings

During this period, a disc was seen to glow and disappear in a flash of bright green light. Jeff and Cathy also found a bugging device in Cathy's home. The entities reassured them that while tasks might be technically unlawful, they would not face prosecution, though material or equipment might be lost. They emphasized Jeff and Cathy's value to their 'desperate cause'.

Jeff's Experiences and Entity Interactions

Jeff experienced severe headaches, allegedly caused by the use of parts of his brain not normally required. He received messages from 'George' and 'The Elder', who stated that 'dark ones' were trying to disrupt them and that George could not shield Jeff. Jeff was told he was mentally at risk but strong, and that Cathy's presence helped him. He was also told that his mind was powerful and that direct thought stimulation might help. The entities expressed dislike for mind control, which they claimed 'dark ones' employed.

Remote Viewing and Medical Research

Jeff was shown, possibly telepathically while unconscious, the inside of a medical research facility where small aliens were being dissected and examined. He made sketches of the facility, which he initially believed was local but later suspected might be elsewhere. He described 'baby aliens' in incubator bags and tanks of liquid containing body parts. George pleaded with Jeff and Cathy to intervene and stop this experimentation. Jeff also saw sketches of a similar facility in Dulce, USA.

'Georgia' and Other Entities

Besides 'George', another entity named 'Georgia' communicated with Jeff. She was described as having dark hair, wearing a two-piece suit, and appearing to be about 35 years old. She communicated telepathically and was perceived as having a good sense of humour but found Jeff stubborn. Jeff also encountered 'The Elder'.

Cathy's Background and Experiences

Cathy is described as intelligent and sensitive, with a no-nonsense attitude, having lived in South Africa, Britain, and Zimbabwe. She has had numerous strange experiences throughout her life, including seeing 'whisky men' as a child, witnessing a glowing pond as a teenager, and experiencing 'out-of-body' episodes. She sometimes feels dragged out of her body and occasionally sees strange people and places in a semi-conscious state. She has worked as a veterinary nurse and run a shop, and has a passion for flying. She qualified as a hypnotherapist in England and later returned to South Africa, where she was divorced.

The Nature of the Contact and its Implications

The author notes the complexity of the case, suggesting that abductions have profound effects and that the relationship between Jeff and Cathy might be deeper than they realize, possibly influenced by these entities. The possibility of a linking arranged by entities affecting their destiny is raised. The case is compared to the Linda Cortile abduction, involving security guards named Richard and Dan.

Cathy's mother has never accepted her UFO involvement, and Cathy has sometimes felt partially alien. Her father revealed recollections of 'beings' visiting him and operating on him as a boy. Jeff, an engineer in a top position, feels resentful about being used and the entities' disregard for time and place. He worries about his business credibility if the story becomes public. The entities appear to have no respect for time or place, causing distress to Jeff.

Cathy was informed by an entity that her parents were not her real parents and that she had been implanted with 'a genetic code', a message common among abductees. The author suggests that hybrids might exist, given the frequency of such stories.

Jeff and Cathy were urged to attend a meeting at an airport late at night, but no one appeared, leading Jeff to suspect it was a ruse to bug Cathy's house. The entities claimed to be in control and stated that Jeff and Cathy were the 'right people'. They offered assistance with equipment if deemed necessary.

Jeff's remote viewing of the medical facility was distressing, particularly seeing an alien plead for help. He felt devastated when the alien died. The entities claimed that 'dark ones' were trying to disrupt them and that George could no longer provide protection. Jeff was told he had a powerful mind and that Cathy could help him. The entities stated they did not like mind control but knew 'dark ones' used it.

Jeff also met 'Georgia', a female entity with a good sense of humour, who found him stubborn. The author sympathizes with Jeff's reluctance and embarrassment regarding the situation, noting that such cases are not uncommon in ufology.

Astronomy - According to the Astronomers

Comet Lee

Australian Steven Lee discovered Comet Lee on April 16, 1999. It is predicted to pass close to Earth from mid-August 1999 to early 2000. Scientists James B. Ervin and Jim McCanney suggest it could cause solar explosions, earthquakes, and hurricane-like weather, or even be captured into Earth-Moon orbit. Planetary alignments in August and September 1999 are considered particularly hazardous, with potential electrical plasma alignments causing harm. Two other factors of concern were the Solar Eclipse of August 11, 1999, and the fly-by of Earth by the Cassini spacecraft on August 18, 1999, carrying plutonium.

What's Happening to Mars?

NASA has plans for extensive Mars exploration, including studying its weather, soil, and searching for water and life. The Mars Climate Orbiter, launched in December 1998, disappeared after completing its journey, possibly due to a navigational error or engine firing too late. The Mars Polar Lander was also scheduled to land in December 1999. The cost of these probes is significant, and the article questions the future of NASA's space program if more probes are lost.

What a Time for Gravity in Space!

This section briefly mentions the Pioneer 10 Space Probe, launched in 1972 to explore Jupiter and move into deep space. NASA needed to check its positioning accuracy, but the process was complicated by solar friction and gravity.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of UFO phenomena, the personal accounts of witnesses and contactees, and the intersection of ufology with astronomy and scientific exploration. The magazine presents a sympathetic yet critical approach to the subject matter, acknowledging the strangeness and complexity of UFO experiences while encouraging continued investigation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness, accepting that UFO stories, however bizarre, may represent genuine experiences, and expressing a personal commitment to seeking answers. The issue concludes with a poetic reflection on the enduring questions surrounding alien existence and humanity's place in the universe.

This issue of UFO Afrinews, dated January 1999, focuses on the impending end of the MIR space station and includes reports on unusual aerial phenomena and a book review.

Goodbye MIR!

The lead article, 'Good-bye MIR!', reports on the planned de-orbiting of the MIR space station. After 13 years in orbit, the Russian Commander Viktor Afanasyev and his crew landed in Kazakhstan on August 28, 1999. The station, which had experienced over a thousand breakdowns, a fire, and damage from a docking craft, was to be gradually switched off. Plans were in place for two cosmonauts to spend a month on MIR in April 2000, lowering its orbit until it entered Earth's atmosphere for a fiery demise over the Pacific Ocean. There was a slim possibility that the State-run RKK Energia Company might find funding to keep MIR in space longer, but this was considered unlikely.

Unidentified Smelly Object, 8-Jan-97

This section details a UFO sighting from January 8, 1997, in Tsmalyemba, Matobo District, Zimbabwe. Mrs Moyo observed a football-sized blue object fall from the sky, landing about 100 meters away. The object emitted a pungent smell and melted into a blue-green slime. Police collected a sample, but the Met. Office in Bulawayo suggested it was a small meteorite without examining the sample, leading the police to destroy the evidence. The report speculates, citing William Corliss' books, that it could have originated from an aircraft toilet, which would explain the smell. A separate report from the Daily Mail (May 7, 1999) is mentioned, concerning a 2 ft block of ice that smashed through the roof of a house in Hertfordshire, England, while Mr and Mrs Keith Smith were sleeping. The ice was thought to have come from an overflying plane, with the Civil Aviation Authority suggesting it could form on wings or from a toilet leak.

Book Review: ALIEN BASE by Timothy Good

Reviewer Prier Wintle expresses disappointment with Timothy Good's book 'Alien Base', published by Century, Random House U.K. in 1998. While impressed by Good's earlier work, 'Above Top Secret', Wintle found 'Alien Base' to have very little personal input and to be more of a collection of CE3 (Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind) and occasional CE4 (abduction) cases. The book contains nineteen chapters, each with anecdotal cases primarily drawn from 'Flying Saucer Review', starting from the early 1950s. Wintle criticizes the chapter titles and case subtitles for being sensationalist. He notes that only a minority of cases mention the belief of witnesses regarding alien bases, often suggesting South America, particularly the Peruvian Andes, but the book does not research this aspect. Wintle highlights one case from the final chapter where two silvery flying saucers, approximately 60 feet in diameter, emerged from a large rectangular opening on Earth, near a US Army Reserve Base in Puerto Rico in 1979. The witnesses claimed to see 'U R S S' on the saucers, leading Good to speculate about a joint US-Russian terrestrial base. The reviewer also mentions a case of a strange creature allegedly killed in a cave system in Puerto Rico.

The review further discusses chapters devoted to individuals like George Adamski and Howard Menger, who claimed to have seen the reverse side of the moon and even walked on it. Adamski described valleys with vegetation, snow-capped mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, and a 'fair sized city' where humans could live. Menger also recounted experiences of breathing air with little difficulty on the moon. Good reproduces a NASA photograph showing the moon's surface with a greenish hue and mentions witnesses who supported Adamski's claims. The reviewer finds these claims provocative but notes Good remains undeterred.

Wintle found the fourth untypical chapter the most enjoyable, which was a condensation of Ludwig F Pallmann's book 'Cancer Planet Mission'. This chapter details Pallmann's encounter in India in 1964 with an extraterrestrial named Satu Ra from 'Itibi Ra II'. Satu Ra's sister, Xiti, is also introduced, described as having an orange veil and an electronic gadget for voice projection. The Itibi Rayans, who had evolved from meat-eaters to vegetarians, had no teeth and lived for thousands of years. They established plantations in South America for hybridization purposes, not of humans, but of plants, due to a 'love of over-tasting'. Xiti was later killed in an accident on an expedition to another planet.

Wintle criticizes Good's book for being a selective literature review without proceeding to real research, systematic analysis, or comparison of cases. He notes the book includes eight blank pages for personal notes. The reviewer also mentions a story about an abductee who obtained evidence of an alien infiltration plan and was subsequently dismissed as mentally ill, a story he felt should have been included in Good's book if based on fact.

Recommended Books

The issue provides lists of recommended books from Lionel Beer and Arcturus Books Inc., covering topics such as UFO encyclopedias, alien abductions, ancient astronauts, and conspiracy theories. Prices are listed in Pounds Sterling and US Dollars.

Joe Nyman's Visit to Zimbabwe

This section recounts the visit of Joe Nyman, a researcher specializing in hypnotic regression and alien abductions, to Zimbabwe in July 1999 with his wife Joan. Nyman was interviewed on local radio and gave a talk to approximately 200 people. The article humorously notes the challenges in preparing the venue, with broken seats and malfunctioning TV screens. The couple also visited tourist attractions like Victoria Falls and Hwange Game Reserve.

My Alien Love

A short poem titled 'My Alien Love' describes falling in love with a charming man who turns out to be a machine.

The Search for Life in Space

This brief section discusses SETI (the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence), which is backed by scientists planning to spend US$95 million over ten years to search for extraterrestrial life. The technology used is advanced, and scientists continuously scan the skies for non-natural radio phenomena. It references a previous report in UFO Afrinews N°18 about an astronomer with SETI having 'some sort of contact' with outer space before a clamp-down.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the de-orbiting of space stations, UFO sightings and encounters, critical reviews of UFO literature, and the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on UFO phenomena and related literature, with a critical eye towards the depth of research presented in some books, as exemplified by the review of Timothy Good's 'Alien Base'. The magazine also includes personal accounts and travelogues related to UFO research.