Kleinmond Gazette 21 August 2012 by Boland Gazette

Year 2 • Tuesday 21 August 2012 | Tel. 028 312 3717

TRAGIC ACCIDENT DEATH ON THE ROAD: A woman from Hawston lost her husband and her father in an accident on Saturday evening at the Hawston turn-off on the R43. Rochelle de Kock is currently at Red Cross Hospital in Cape Town with her seven-year old daughter, who was also badly injured in the accident. Police are still investigating the crash, which involved two vehicles. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made for Lesley de Kock (45) and Jusuf Claasen (66). The driver of the other vehicle was arrested on a charge of drunken driving. Read more about this tragic accident in Hermanus Times on Thursday. PHOTO: JANINE VAN DER RIET

Drug dealers busted JANINE VAN DER RIET Two big dagga busts occurred on Wednesday when officers of the Hermanus police, Crime Intelligence Gathering unit and Overberg K9 unit struck green gold in Hawston.

This is the heap of dagga officers snapped up in the house in Brooklyn Road. Seen here (from left) are Warrant Officers Riaan du Toit and Gavin Africa, and Constables Peter Jansen (narcotics dog handler) and Khawyiso Mvumbi.

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The officers executed search warrants at two houses concurrently – one in Cambridge Road, the other in Brooklyn Road. Constable Mbongeni Mazuthu, spokesperson for Hermanus police, says an 18-year-

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old man was arrested at the house in Cambridge Road after officers seized 272 bank bags of dagga, 23 parcels of dagga and eight dagga cigarettes. In Brooklyn Road, a dog-unit member with his narcotics dog found 773 stoppe dagga, 835 bank bags of dagga and 21 parcels of the illegal plant. Two people were arrested. “This operation was one of the battles to eliminate the drug market and drug abuse in the area, as drugs are at the root of other serious crimes, such as property crime and domestic violence,” Mazuthu said.

Warrant Officer Gavin Africa, with Steven Koen in the background, counts the dagga stoppe found in Cambridge Road, Hawston.

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General - Algemeen

Kleinmond Gazette

Tuesday 21 August 2012

Bot station out to tender

Church service times Seventh Day Adventist Church: Corner of 13th Avenue and Sixth Street, Kleinmond. Saturday service at 09:30. 0 028 271 4173.

ANNETTE THERON

Pringle Bay United Church: Corner of Crescent and Park Streets. Sunday service at 09:00. 0 028 273 8172. Kleinmond Aanbiddingsentrum : Corner of Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street. Sunday service at 09:45. 0 028 271 5694 or Pastor Gerrit Smit: 083 6336 172. Lakeside Chapel: Lakeside Drive, Betty’s Bay. Sunday service at 09:30. 0 028 272 9214. St Nicholas Anglican Church: Heide Street, Proteadorp. Morning prayer on first and third Sunday morning of every month at 10:00. Communion on second and fourth Sunday of every month. 0 028 271 3546. Kleinmond Fellowship Church: 72 Sixth Street, Kleinmond. Sunday service at 09:30; Sunday school for children in Grades R to 3. Catholic Church: Twist Street, Betty’s Bay. Saturday mass at 17:30. 0 021 859 5397. St Francis Anglican Church: Services in the Roman Catholic Church, Twist Street, Betty’s Bay. Sunday Eucharist at 09:00. AGS Kerk Kleinmond: Sunday service at 18:00; Prayer service Tuesday 19:00. VCSV building, 11th Avenue. 0 Pastor Tewis de Jager: 082 771 9365 or 028 713 3988 Email your church service times to Janine van der Riet at janine@hermanustimes.co.za

Chantal Witthuhn (back, dressed in black) spent the afternoon with the women members of staff of the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden.

Beauties blossom in the botanical garden JANE FORRESTER

The Winelands’ own winter queen, Chantal Witthuhn, spent the afternoon on Women’s Day with the women on the staff of the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden. Dressed in a fetching outfit and heels, Chantal was there to give these hardworking, green-thumbed ladies a few tips on how to look good when they’re away from their taxing day jobs – and have done away with the mud on their boots and the dirt under their fingernails. She kicked off her master class in the art of personal presentation by telling the women that the story of having a “good side” to one’s face is no mere myth.

Three threads of music Overstrand Arts/Kunste will hold a concert on Friday 24 August at 19:00 in the Hermanus civic auditorium, featuring South African artists Neil Smit (French horn), Stefan Lombard (piano) and Francois Arzul (piano).

PIKKEWYNTJIES BAK KOEKIES: Verlede week met die Pikkewyntjies se bak- en brou-aktiwiteit het hulle hul eie koekies gebak. Juffrou Zaan het die deeg aangemaak terwyl hulle saam bestandele afgetel en geweeg het. Ouma Netta die kolwyntjies in die oond gesit en groot was die kleinspan se verbasing toe hulle sien hoe groot hul kolwyntjies was nadat hulle gebak is. Die koekies is daarna versier én verorber.

Then, she got to business with a practical demonstration, sitting some of the ladies down so she could show the rest how to add a little magic to their hair to make it frame their faces better. She followed her demonstration up with a few cunning ways to make the best of every variety of neck – from thin to not so thin – and furnished them with tips on how to best present their bodies. Jewellery, colour and clothes were all areas in which the women learned to make the best of themselves. After enjoying tea and scones, the ladies each left the workshop with a bunch of flowers, a packet of fudge, and most important of all, plenty of inspiration thanks to Chantal’s positive message that everybody has it in them to be gorgeous.

The programme will feature Trio for French Horn, Violin and Piano Number 1 in C Minor by Duvernoy, Sonata for Violin and Piano in E Minor, K 304 by Mozart, Sonata for Horn and Piano, Opus 17 by Beethoven, Trio for French

Horn, Violin and Piano in E Flat Major, Opus 30 by Brahms and Vocalise, by Rachmaninov. Tickets are R100 (R50 for students). Phone Bellini on 028 312 4988 to book. Contact René du Plooy on 082 940 4238 for enquiries.

A trio concert will be held by Overstrand Arts/Kunste on 24 August.

kerksaal, 1ste Laan 36, Kleinmond. Vir meer inligting skakel Melanie Wiles tussen 08:00 en 1:00 op 028-271 3602.

) Die Fynbos Seniorsentrum hou weer een van die dae basaar met lekker koffie, tee en koek, basaarpoeding, terte, beskuit, pannekoek, wit olifante en nog meer. Kom luister na die Stoepsitters en geniet ’n heerlike dag op 25 Augustus van 09:00 by die NG-

) Die Kleinmond Kiekieklub het Wicus Leeuwner gekry om sy aanbieding “Celebrating Nature” op 28 Augustus om 18:00 te kom wys in die Kerksaal in 1ste Laan. Sop en tuisgebakte brood sal voorgesit word teen R25 per persoon ten bate van die Fynbos Seniorsentrum. ) Die voorsitter van die Kleinmond Senior Burger Klub, Wou-

The Bot River station development has been put out to tender, calling for a consortium or suitably qualified firm to develop a precinct plan for the project. In the spatial development framework (SDF) the Theewaterskloof Municipality developed in 2010, it highlighted the Bot River station as a special project. The role players in this, in addition to the municipality, are the national Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, and the Department of Economic Development and Planning. The project’s focus will be on heritage, and will take the community’s input into consideration through ongoing consultation, says Noel Hunt, who attended a briefing session on the matter on Tuesday 7 August in his capacity as a member of the Bot River Aesthetics Committee. His main concern is that the heritage of the building be preserved, and that the community be adequately included in the process. Indeed, the area around the station has been identified as a heritage precinct, as Stiffie Cronjé, spokesperson for the Theewaterskloof Municipality, explains. “Heritage policies have been developed as part of the SDF.” Planning of further details is still required for the station precinct, he says, “and should address the proposed developments and implementation of the precinct”. On the cards are land-use controls to protect and promote heritage values within the precinct; works to enhance the heritage character of the area; options to market the Bot Rivier station as a heritage destination; proposals for the preservation and restoration of conservation-worthy buildings; the preservation of trees and vegetation, as well as the widths of streets and sidewalks, and features – such as street lights – that may contribute to the heritage character of the area; development proposals for the promotion of culture and recreation; and development proposals for all land uses that fall within the precinct. Cronjé says a precinct plan – such as is required by this project – should take into account all of the issues affecting an area, including its buildings and spaces, land uses, activities and transport. An essential aspect of the precinct planning process is feedback from the community on how the area should evolve. The precinct planning process requires consultation with the community – residents, businesses and the development industry – to determine the best outcome for the area. Proposals for the development must be in by 24 August, and the project is expected to be completed in a period of 10 months, effective from the date of the appointment of a service provider. Applicants have been invited to submit their precinct plan – sticking to the 10month deadline – to the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform at Private Bag 833, Pretoria 001, for the attention of Sunday Ogunronbi. Call Leona Bruiners on 021 481 8260.

ter Theron, wil graag ’n paar belangrike sake onder die aandag van die senior burgers bring: – Die Blommetoer van Augustus is gekanselleer weens te min belangstelling – Die jaarlikse Speledag is Donderdag, 6 September in die Stadsaal om 08:00. Almal word hartlik uitgenooi na die Speledag op 6 September. Dis nie net vir deelnemers nie, toeskouers is ook welkom. Kerrie-en-rys sal vir middagete te koop wees. Sien jou daar! – Die volgende twee byeenkomste in die kerksaal is 4 Oktober

en 1 November · Die kersete is op 29 November. ) The Hangklip Athletics club would like to inform residents, visitors and athletes participating in the race on Saturday, 8 September that there will be a closure of Peak Road in Pringle Bay from 07:00 to 13:00. ) The following events are set to be hosted by the Friends of Hangklip Library: 23 August: A kid’s Can presentation by Hanlie Quass at 10:30 at the hall.

Tuesday 21 August 2012

News - Nuus

Kleinmond Gazette

Bot River given a gap JANINE VAN DER RIET

After weeks of heavy rain in the Overstrand, the Bot River mouth near Fisherhaven was artificially opened on Saturday, with other estuaries in the Overstrand area also making the break. The Kleinmond mouth of the Bot– Kleinmond system breached naturally on Saturday 11 August. The decision to open the Bot mouth near Fisherhaven was taken by Whale Coast Conservation’s breaching subcommittee in consultation with estuarine specialists. The Bot mouth last opened in July 2009. The artificial breaching was de-

cided upon after a strong northwester, which was gathering up waves from the over-full Bot River estuary, caused the river to burst its banks on Tuesday 14 August. The clubhouse and both slipways on the Fisherhaven side were flooded. Fisherhaven resident Philip Jonker said he had never seen the water that high in the five years he has been living there. Gale-force winds, helped by the high water level, also pushed water into a small area of the Meer-en-See holiday resort, flooding a few holiday rondawels. Staff from the Overstrand Municipality’s Disaster Management Centre, together with staff from the

Environmental Management Services department, have already taken measures to address the situation. Providing further motivation for an artificial breach, Rob Fryer of Whale Coast Conservation said last week that it is “desirable for the Bot estuary to open every few years from a fisheries perspective”. “Mass mortalities of fish have occurred in the past when the salinity dropped below 6 parts per 1 000,” he said. The Klein River estuary near Grotto in Hermanus also breached naturally last week. The Uilkraals estuary opened overnight on 7 August, and the Onrus estuary has been open for a few weeks already.

Fisherhaven felt the brunt of the Bot.

The Kleinmond mouth of the Bot–Kleinmond estuarine system breached on Saturday 11 August.

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PHOTOS: PIETA PIETERSE

Munisipale rekeninge die maand laat Inwoners is onlangs per SMS deur die Overstrand-munisipaliteit ingelig oor munisipale rekeninge wat dié maand laat is. Elsabé Stadler, bestuurder: kliënte- diens, sê e-pos-rekeninge is reeds uitgestuur. Diegene wat hul rekeninge per gewone pos kry, behoort dit teen 20 Augustus te hê. Enigeen wat teen die betaaldatum nog nie ’n rekening ontvang het nie, kan die munisipaliteit bel by 028 313 8000 en vra vir kliëntediens. ’n Rekening wat nie ontvang is nie, is nie ’n verskoning om dit nie betyds te vereffen nie, aldus Stadler.

Fisherhaven

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Letters - Briewe

Kleinmond Gazette

Tuesday 21 August 2012

Column

A tragedy unimaginable A tragic accident left one woman without a husband and a father. She is now at the Red Cross Hospital in Cape Town, fighting to save the life of her seven-year-old daughter, while trying to work through the biggest heartache imaginable. An accident took away her loved ones. The driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident in Hawston on the R43 has been arrested for drunken driving and a case of culpable homicide has been opened for further investigation. In an instant, innocent people can lose their loved ones. Live everyday as if it’s your last, and never hesitate to say “I love you”. Be safe on the roads.

Women left a mark on history

Women’s Day has come and gone, left in hibernation for another year. Meanwhile the statistics regarding spousal abuse, gender violence and murder continue to rise. Women have left an indelible print on the pages of history, and continue to achieve greatness. Gender equality is not about doing the chores or making breakfast on specific days or bringing home the odd bunch of flowers. It is a sustained and continual motion of integrating oneself into the world of women and accepting that not only simply equality, but also transformation, should be on the terms of anyone marginalised in society. I grew up in a household where I never saw my father or grandfather with a broom in their hands. My grandfather had a system whereby an eyebrow would be raised and my grandmother would know that it would be a sign for tea. Years ago, the first time my then girlfriend cooked a meal, I refused to do the dishes. It was the way that I had been brought up. Men never cooked or did the dishes. The next time, she cooked only for herself. I had learnt the hard way that if you want to enjoy the spoils, you need to contribute to the pot and its features. South Africa is a nation of mothers and grandmothers, with the majority responsible for the entire maintenance of children. The male defaulters who refuse to pay for the upkeep of their offspring do themselves a haunting disservice by being

permanently labelled as uncaring and cowardly. The most important treasures one can have are your genetic footprints. To quote Kahlil Gibran loosely, “They come through you, but are not yours”. The problem is one of ownership, in that no-one owns anyone sexually, politically, socially or economically, and yet in many relationships men want that ownership. It opens the door to beatings, emotional terror and even homicide. The unsung heroines are those women who endure tremendous hardships in ensuring that their children do not have to undergo the same trials and tribulations that they have experienced – single, working-class parents who manage to send thousands of children to schools, colleges and universities; a woman who gets up at dawn, catches public transport in all kinds of weather, works in a low-paying job and rushes home to cook the family supper. These are our standard bearers in a consumer-driven world. Not for her the newest mod cons, but the textbooks or clothes her child needs. We should honour those sacrifices daily, not only on Women’s Day. The march by those brave woman decades ago, when they confronted a repressive regime, was for political rights. The issues facing women, which have been around for centuries, have broadened, creating the very same difficulties in areas such as gender and economic dynamics. It is difficult for a generation steeped in

male dominance to alter its psyche. It takes courage to strive to be an evolved man. It takes clarity to be comfortable in one’s masculinity and yet be open to feminine traits. Men will talk about functions and women about feelings. When we get together, our discussions are specific and yet wide in range. Women gather and are concerned about each other’s wellbeing as an immediate focus. It is an understanding of what is important. I was at the birth of all my children and it was the most beautiful, bravest and painful thing I ever saw a woman do. I personally think that if men had to give birth, no more babies would be born. The women in our lives should be accorded respect, honour and above all love. Women’s Day should be every day, as it will increase our chances of becoming better human beings.

Dogs need to run free – ‘let’s find a democratic, ethical solution’ There is a problem to address regarding undisciplined dogs in the Overberg, but in a democracy dog owners have to have a say in the solution. The protest against the “all dogs on leads’ law is widespread. The reason we are upset is not that we don’t want to help to solve this problem. It is that the present solution will be detrimental to our dogs and even to some owners. An elderly person will now have to run at a high speed next to his lively dog, who now has to be on a lead. Look at what the world-famous dog expert, Cesar Milan, says on TV and in his book on training dogs and owners. Dogs need exercise, discipline and love – in that order of priority. Big dogs and high-energy dogs of all sizes need to run extensively. He shows how letting dogs run till they are tired makes them much more tractable for discipline. Merely walking these dogs on a lead is insufficient exercise.

In our newspapers countrywide, we have seen many examples of how frustrated and violent dogs become that are cooped up in a yard and not allowed to run and expend all that pent-up energy. They savagely attack people, even the servants working there, and have even killed them. One of the dangers of using a lead is that many dogs are more aggressive on leads. Here in Rooi Els, savage fights have happened between two dogs on leads. Chris Burlock, a well-known environmentalist and canoeist who helped build the KAWS building in Kleinmond, damaged her arm and shoulder severely when her dogs ripped her along in a chase. She permanently lost 40% of the use of that arm. My Ridgeback ripped my one arm out of socket once, and I had to persuade a friend to pull it till we found a way to get it back in. Painful! There are very good dog trainers around, like Dr Louise Coetzee in Hermanus, who can help you discipline and socialise your

dog. Marius and I now make use of her classes to train our dogs in Kleinmond (also available in Hermanus). For many of us, our dogs are our children, or life companions. Thus laws that are detrimental to their wellbeing will be protested against. A possible solution, besides the necessary exercise and discipline, could be to walk big or violent dogs with a secure muzzle on. Our constitution includes some animal rights. Let us find a democratic and an ethical solution that is good for humans and dogs.

EVETTE WEYERS Kleinmond

Rubriek

My reisgenoot ‘Piet Walvis’ se anekdotes

EK het die N2 verlede week met ’n pel aangepak op reis na die Baai. Ongelukkig nie daar uitgekom nie, want ons vervoer het die gees gegee net verby Gouritzrivier, sodat ons ’n paar dae in Hartenbosch moes verwyl. My reisgenoot, ’n taksidermis, is skepper van een van die mees treffende natuurkundige uitstallings in Suid-Afrika, te wete die unieke versameling skelette van seesoogdiere wat in die Suid-Afrikaanse Museum in Kaapstad hang. Die vriend, wat in Kleinbaai gou “Piet Walvis” geword het, was op pad na Port Elizabeth om te onderhandel oor die voorbereiding en montering van ’n soortgelyke walvisgeraamte vir die plaaslike museum en ek was saam vir geselskap. Tydens ons kortgeknipte ekspedisie het Piet Walvis my onthaal met anekdotes oor sy vorige walvisprojekte, veral een waar hy besig was om ’n deeglik oorryp walviskarkas op Bloubergstrand af te slag om die skelet te ontbloot. Daar gly sy voet waar hy boop die gedierte staan, welke misstap hom

kop-en-pootjies in die onbeskryflik aaklige afvalpoeding onder-in laat plons. Hy is dadelik huis-toe om sy klere te verbrand en homself te dompel in elke denkbare ontgeurmiddel, wat begin het met Jik en ure later afgesluit is met laventel om sy erg verdunde vel vir oulaas te probeer beskaaf. Dae daarna egter, so berig hy, het verontwaardigde medereisigers in die trein kort ná sy intrede steeds die wa en masse verlaat. Dit herinner my aan ’n verslag van ’n vroeë Nederlander aan die Kaap, wat met afgryse berig het oor die Strandlopers se gebruik om binne-in ’n gestrande walvis te woon totdat die hele ding hapsgewys verorber is. Dié gewoonte van hulle plus ’n paar ander, soos om rou skaapderms om hul nekke te hang as padkos, het die koloniste oortuig dat dié skepsels nie volwaardige mense was nie, wat hulle gevolglike onteiening en amperse uitroeiing gerieflikerwys geregverdig het. Destyds was dit seker net so moeilik om die Strandlopers se medemens-

likheid raak te sien as wat dit skynbaar vandag is om die breë bevolking te oortuig dat walvisse, dolfyne en robbe die afstammeling is van landdiere wat tydens verskeie migrasies teruggekeer het na die oseane waar hulle voorsate gewoon het. Die genetiese wetenskap het nou egter bewys dat varke nabye verwante is van sommige balein-walvisse, terwyl die tandwalvisse soos dolfyne en potvisse weer die afstammelinge van ’n paar vroeë hondagtige soogdiere is. Sekere dele van die Sahara – wat redelik onlangs nog onder die see was – wemel van fossiele van elke denkbare tussen stadium, veral van laasgenoemdes. Warmbloedige walvisse is ’n treffende bevestiging van natuurlike seleksie, veral sigbaar (benewens o.m. longe en melkkliere) aan die vingerbene in hul vinne en sommiges se potsierlike agterbene – alles bewyse van hul voormalige landbestaan. Lank voor hulle was daar verskeie marine dinosourusse wat ook in die oseane ge-

leef het en merkwaardige liggaamlike ooreenkomste getoon het met hedendaagse dolfyne en walvisse, wat weereens dui op soortgelyke aanpassings van voormalige landskepsels by fisiese wette wat net soveel vir hulle gegeld het as vir die mariene soogdiere wat ons vandag ken. fouriejh@mweb. co.za.

Tuesday 21 August 2012

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Kleinmond Gazette

General - Algemeen

Kleinmond Gazette

Tuesday 21 August 2012

Letter

The Botanical Society’s Kogelberg branch reports Twelve months have passed since the last annual report of the Kogelberg branch of the Botanical Society. There have been a few changes, one which concerns the committee: Jenny Berrisford has decided to retire after some 15 years’ service, the last 4 years as a most able vice chairperson. Jenny has given wise advice and opinions, she has taken on tasks willingly, she has talked to the branch on how to use fynbos plants in local gardens, and organised outings. As vice chairperson Jenny has on several occasions had to run the branch at critical times; this she has done very competently. Luckily, we shall still be seeing her around the Kogelberg. Thank you very much, Jenny. This branch has for many years had talks and walks, but it is only in recent years that these events have been held, like the Hack, every month; the Hack has been taking place monthly for close on 50 years. Monthly talks have been held for the past five years, while monthly walks have been held for just over a year. In the past 12 months we have had Dr Ted Oliver, president of BotSoc, on his trip to find Ericas in Madagascar; Professor John Bolton of UCT on seaweeds; Professor Justin O’Riain of the UCT Baboon Unit on

sustainable solutions to baboon issues; Professor Jennifer Thomson on genetically modified crops for Africa; Professor Peter Ryan on seabird conservation in Southern Africa; and Dr Simon van Noort of the South African Museum on wasps. Then we are fortunate in having local people who are experts in their fields; Betty’s Bay resident and intrepid traveller Riaan Manser attracted an audience of 150 when he spoke about his adventures cycling round Africa, and paddling around Madagascar and Iceland; botanical artist Lynda de Wet, another resident, spoke on her approach to painting flowers; weekender Carol Botha, a very keen amateur astronomer, illustrated her talk, “Without the Night, We would Not see the Stars” with photographs she had taken; and part-time resident Professor Michael Orren stepped in at the last moment to ask, “Is there a Global Water Crisis?” Although Werner Voigt is now curator of the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden, he still seems a local, and his talk on a plant-collecting expedition along a river in Pondoland was very well received. The talks are arranged by a subcommittee, with the attractive posters made by Amida Johns. For some years we have been hoping to

interact with Pikkewyntjies Preschool in Moouitsig, and now, under Sue Folb, we are on the brink, with a date in August for taking the children to Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens. This is something we would like to happen several times a year so that the children grow up feeling at home in this local treasure and realising that they live in a place that has very special plants. The Botanical Society used funds from Lotto to reprint two outstanding posters: Fynbos and Forest. The branch distributed these to families in the area who homeschool their children, and to Pringle House and Pikkewyntjies. The branch bought a set of basic plant microscope slides for Harold Porter, and they were recently used there by Caroline Joubert during a visit by high school learners. Harold Porter now has a new tunnel for propagation, thanks in part to the branch’s donation of plastic roofing. In the Nivenia Hall the branch has paid for new blinds, which reduce light during presentations. Edward Silberbauer reports that the Hack Group has had another very good year, with solid work done not only by the monthly hackers but also by that small band, the Wednesday Irregulars. Typical of the dedication and high standards of hackers is the

story of David Bossenger, who joins Edward on the Monday morning after the Hack to sharpen the tools. David has been doing this for six years but is still an apprentice, allowed only to do the preliminaries, not the final sharpening. Under convenor John Whitehead, the Pringle Bay Hack Group is working steadily to keep their area free of invading vegetation. Two members of the committee resigned during the year, but will continue with their regular efforts for the talks; Amida still designs brilliant posters and Jane Fearnhead buys and serves the wine you enjoy. Thank you both very much. There have been two members co-opted during the year: Andrea Benn, who joins the committee for another stint, and Sue Folb. We are most grateful for their enthusiastic support. Barbara Jenman is a secretary who has been cheerfully willing to shoulder whatever task turns up. Treasurer Peter Berrisford has to spend many hours processing our very small budget to satisfy the requirements of the society. Thank you both for your dedication. Thank you to all in the Kogelberg Branch for another very good year.

MERRILEE BERRISFORD, CHAIRPERSON

* Content has been shortened.

Deserters used to plague Pringle Bay ESJAY PRINGLE BAY In the olden days, the coast in the vicinity of Rooiels and Pringle Bay was plagued by deserters and robbers. In 1739, Pringle Bay formed part of the farm Welgemoed, belonging to Andreas Grové. By 1741, he had had enough of these fugitives and decided to leave. The next owner was Jacobus Louw. He, too, had no company other than that of the deserters. The bay was originally called Gordon’s Bay after Colonel Robert Gordon, who discovered it in 1777. Gordon was a Scot who had fought on the side of the Dutch in the battle of Blaawberg. When the Cape was annexed by the British, Gordon, who had been an outstanding soldier, was so disappointed that he committed suicide. In 1796, the bay was renamed Pringle Bay

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after Scout Admiral Sir Thomas Pringle of the British fleet. The first residential area was laid out by Hangklip Beach Estates in 1936. According to historians Slingsby and Coombe, roads were constructed, and soon there were a few houses on the slopes of Pringle Kop. An ugly scar appeared on the hillside when gravel was excavated for road construction. Fortunately, nature will heal its scars if it is allowed to do so, which did happen in this case. Pringle Bay grew slowly, and by 1980 only a small part had been developed. After electrical power was laid on in 1992, growth accelerated. A large number of permanent residents and holidaymakers own homes in Pringle Bay today. The beach is pleasant and attractive, with a cluster of old milkwood trees growing close to the sea. As locals know, there is now a town called Gordon’s Bay farther along the coast towards Cape Town, past Rooi Els.

Tuesday 21 August 2012

General - Algemeen

Kleinmond Gazette

Mayor’s ball a huge success JANINE VAN DER RIET The Cape Whale Coast variety show and charity ball, hosted by Overstrand mayor Nicolette BothaGuthrie on Friday night at the elegant Arabella Hotel & Spa, was a huge success, with guests being spoiled throughout the evening. The entertainment was tops, with famous singer Devon Scott joining forces with all the artists present to sing a song he wrote especially for the

event. The biggest surprise treat was for sure the drill manoeuvre done to music by the talented men and women of the Overstrand Municipality’s law enforcement and fire and rescue departments. They put on an amazing show, and their piece left guests wanting more. The Sewejaartjie award for excellence was given to Dieter Odendaal, by Botha-Guthrie for the hard work he put into organising the event and making it an occasion never to be

forgotten by those privileged to be there. Then, Overstrand Tourism unveiled their brand new video, featuring the song Walviskus (Whale Coast), giving guests the opportunity to be the first among the public to see the piece Other entertainers included the Zwelihle Marimba Band, Abagold Choir, Goodness Gracious, Snater Teater, Gerry Fourie and Tribal Echo. Guests danced the night away to the sounds of Goodness Gracious..

Dieter Odendaal, organiser of the event, stands with Esmé Bronkhorst (middle) of Wildekrans and Goodhope DJs Tracy Lange (left) and Leigh-Anne Williams.

PHOTOS: EEDEN SPIES/JOHAN VORSTER PRO-VIDEO

Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie (front right) with guests.

Law enforcers and firefighters put together a riveting drill manoeuvre to music.

The Gansbaai Klopse entertained the guests with their dance moves.

Year 2 • Dinsdag 21 Augustus 2012 | Tel. 028 312 3717

Snoek spread from Hout Bay to Hermanus

AFTER the rough seas last weekend, a number of smaller fishing boats encountered good catches of snoek just outside Hout Bay last Monday. The fact is that every few years snoek are caught during these midwinter months between Cape Point and Hermanus. Several years ago, when Walvis Bay in Namibia had large shoals of pilchard and other bait fish, there were thousands of tonnes of snoek caught by boats in that area. As those in the know have advocated, these massive shoals of pilchards have stayed on the West Coast, stretching from Saldanha to Cape Point. This season the bait fish and snoek are widespread, from Hout Bay, around Cape Point and all the way past Hermanus. The snoek have proven to be plentiful – and more good news is that it appears the Department of Fisheries has eased off on its strict policing, and is allowing the embattled subsistence fishermen a little more leeway to make a better living. It has also been alleged that Marine and Coastal Management has found that the Navy cannot manage the policing of boat fishing, and discussions are under way to allow a private company in to clear up the mess. The South League Western Province Inshore Competition, which was due to be held last weekend, was called off due to the unsuitable weather and sea conditions. An interesting piece of trivia is that Carla Rautman (5) has been fishing as a novice with her father Gus for the last 10 months. While fishing from her father’s boat Seekat during a recent WP inshore competition, Carla boated five snoek. Gus, who skippers his own boat, is one of the WP’s skilled boat anglers.

Snoek fishing can be very tricky, as snoek have very sharp teeth and snap at anything nearby. If the person holding the fish does not sling it under his arm and quickly snap the neck, serious injuries can occur. One hand holds the top of the fish and the other carefully grips the snoek under the jaw and breaks its neck. Newcomers on the boat desperately try to grip a snoek between their legs or quickly haul the snoek over the side and throw it directly into the fishing box. By the time the fisherman has removed the dolly or hook from the flapping fish, he has either been bitten or lands up with the hook in his finger and a “pap” snoek due to incorrect handling and clubbing. Meanwhile, the experienced crew have several snoek with broken necks in their boxes in front of them. When a finger has been bitten by a snoek and the wound doesn’t stop bleeding, a fast-fix cure aboard the boat is to slice open the eye of the snoek and then smear the fluid from the eye

Rossouw is klubkampioen Morné Rossouw, 4-voorgee, is Caledon-gholfklub se nuwe kampioen ná hy Saterdag 18 Augustus gedugte teenstand uitgestof het. Ná afloop van die oggend se 18 putjies het Rossouw ’n voorsprong van drie houe geniet bo die verdedigende kampioen, Eduard Coetzee, asook Marshall Benjamin. Hy het bestendig oor die middag se 18 putjies gevaar en uiteindelik met ses houe geseevier. Sy ronde-tellings van 75 en 75 het bestaan uit 24 syfers, vier voëltjies en agt brouhoue. Coetzee het tweede geëindig met ronde-tellings van 78 en 78. Rossouw was ook in 2010 die kampioen. In die B-afdeling vir spelers 10–

15 voorgee het Dirkie Groenewald geseëvier met sewe houe. Braham Harris, 16-voorgee, het die C-afdeling oor 18 putjies gewen. Sy telling van 90 was een beter as die verdedigende kampioen, Johan Langenhoven. Die kampioenskap is die derde agtereenvolgende jaar deur Caledon Spar geborg. Die volledige uitslae was as volg: A-afdeling: Morne Rossouw – 150 (75; 75); Eduard Coetzee – 156 (78; 78); Marshall Benjamin (78; 79). B-afdeling: Dirkie Groenewald – 169; Christo Simons – 176; Lynton January – 179. C-afdeling: Braham Harris – 90; Johan Langenhoven – 91; Jeremy Prins – 95.

Die afdeling-wenners in Caledon-gholfklub se klubkampioenskap was (van links) Braham Harris (C-afdeling), Dirkie Groenewald (B-afdeling) en Morné Rossouw (A-afdeling). Hul trofeë is deur Martin Barnard (regs), verteenwoordiger van die borg, Caledon Spar, aan hulle oorhandig. FOTO: VERSKAF

on the wound. This sometimes stops the bleeding. These snoek bites take weeks to heal, and in the old days after a snoek “dik”, fishermen were often seen minus a finger. The average snoek is between three and six kilograms, and smaller snoek are called “China snoek”. Snoek of up to eight kilograms have been weighed at competitions. The biggest snoek weighed in a club competition was 13 kg, and was caught by Mr D Shannon in a club competition off Hangklip on 17 May 1959. This past weekend shore anglers had little to report except for one or two galjoen and other bank fish. Johan Uys of the Strand had one dassie and one galjoen from Platbank alongside the Strand tidal pool. He was using red bait. Carika Meyer wrote to me earlier this week saying that, two years ago, I included a short story and photo about her eightyear-old daughter Kira Bester who had caught a spotted grunter with her tiny fishing rod at Witsands on Women’s Day 2010. Last weekend they again spent Women’s Day at Witsand, and Kira again caught a grunter. Carika said Kira, now 10 years old, still tries to fish wherever they go. She has upgraded from the tiny rod, and is looking forward to returning to Witsands. This time she caught the spotted grunter with her bare hands. Carika said there were no anglers in sight and Kira was the only person fishing, but she refused to give up. She said that, while fishing from the harbour wall, they saw something splashing below close to the rocks – and in a flash Kira was down on the rocks to catch the fish with her hands.

Local bodyboarder needs your support Local bodyboarding hotshot Matthew Webster has a chance to take on the World Bodyboarding Games in the Canary Islands in December. And to realise his dream, Matthew is appealing for sponsorship from the community of Hermanus. After a very successful campaign on the South African bodyboarding circuit – ending in third position on the log – he has qualified to compete against the best riders the world has to offer.

Matthew, who says the World Bodyboarding Games are considered the pinnacle of competitive bodyboarding, is a fourth year university student, which makes it even more difficult for him to raise the R25 000 he needs to travel and compete in the tournament. If you are able to help with sponsorship so that Matthew can compete in the Canary Islands, call him on 072 582 4763 or send an email to him at mattwebster316@gmail.com.

Matthew Webster, a bodyboarder who has done Hermanus proud, is appealing to local businesses and individuals for sponsorship so that he can compete in the World Bodyboarding Games in the Canary Islands in December. PHOTO: MORNE LOUBSCHER

Kira bester (10) holds up the spotted grunter she caught with her bare hands while at witsand recently. News from Somerset Sport in the local mall is that the new Shimano Beastmaster has arrived. This is a heavy super-new carbon rod made with the latest technology to make the rod far lighter and stronger to handle big fish and cast farther. The Power Pro and Suffix braid is also in stock; it’s very popular, and is used as backing on shark reels and for casting on multipliers and coffee grinders. For all your reel repairs and services contact Art on 0 021 854 3831. Send your fishing news and photos to 2 bjridgway@telkomsa.net.