GRAAFF-REINET NUUS - When grownups of Graaff-Reinet write a letter to Santa this year, they might ask for better service delivery, more rain for the dam and good quality drinking water from every tap in town.

As for the youngsters, their lists might look a little different.

Cay-Lynn Bezuidenhoud (6) from Kroonvale just wants a Barbie for Christmas. Cay -Lynn was very happy when she passed grade One, as she should be! She and her mother, Jennifer Bezuidenhoud, worked hard during the school's second term home-schooling, like so many other parents were forced to do when schools closed for several months. "This holiday, I'm going to play outside every day with my doll," Cay-Lynn said, while shaking off the Graaff-Reinet dust from her knees.

Cay-Lynn's brother, Clay-Fano, would like a bike for Christmas. "A BMX, so I don't have to walk to the shop when my parents send me," he said. "A cellphone to play games on would also be nice," he added, giggling.

Mariano Martins (13), also from Kroonvale, also hopes for a cellphone. He wants to communicate with his father, who is working in Cape Town. "I miss my father and I want to chat with him on WhatsApp".

So, Father Christmas, irrespective of the plights of adults this year, please keep our youngsters in mind when you're flying over the Karoo this year.

'We bring you the latest Karoo news'