10 March 2021

10 March 2021

Published every Wednesday by CXpress 2006 (Pty) Ltd - PO Box 1449, Plettenberg Bay 6600 - 6 Park Lane, Plettenberg Bay - Tel: 044 533 1004 - Fax: 044 533 0852 Email: editor@cxpress.co.za / advertising@cxpress.co.za Web page: www.cxpress.co.za Printed by Group Editors

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THE FINAL EDITION So long and thank you for... everything!

Photo: Claude de Koker

The arrival of this brilliant image of a bruising sky over Beacon Island Hotel reached us last week at the same time the decision was made that today’s issue would be the last CXPRESS ever. An energetic amateur lensman and one of Plett’s most experienced lifesavers, we surmised that photographer Claude de Koker’s time on the planet may well coincide with CXPRESS seeing the light nearly 23 years ago. Lo and behold, the paper beats him to it by 16 months (CX 1.6.98 - CdK 30.9.99)! So whereas this edition is our swansong, we wish Claude and all those who have contributed to the unique nature of this newspaper a truly bright future. Find out more on page 2.

10 000 FREE COPIES OF CXPRESS DISTRIBUTED ALONG THE GARDEN ROUTE EVERY WEDNESDAY

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

10 March 2021

The end of the line for CXPRESS, but our memories can never be nuked N Wednesday March 3, founding partners Lezanne Watson and Esther de Villiers along with their fellow directors made the difficult decision to close CXPRESS. It was with gratitude that, after lengthy deliberations about the state of our current financial situation and the global demise of print media, we were allowed to produce a final edition to bid farewell to

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the thousands of readers and advertisers that have made our newspaper into a household name along the Garden Route.

Lezanne and Esther - after having established a partnership in 1998 and publishing the first edition of their shared and beloved ‘newspaper baby’ on June 1 of that year - have remained as dedicated to the original objective of providing a free and in-

formative newspaper to the people of Plett, Knysna and beyond.

The ‘CXPRESS Girls’ have, over the years, been ably supported by agents Linda Ausker and Watty Watson, while Sandi Smith has been responsible for the eye-catching design of a vast majority of adverts that have appeared on these pages.

It being a family business from the word go, jokes

about Watty ‘sleeping with the boss’ were often countered by jabs over the fact that distribution by Esther’s better half, Gerhard van Huyssteen, reeked of ‘protected employment’…

Finally, as far as many a CXPRESS fan is concerned, the face of our paper has been the inimitable Tumi Tom, who would return from distribution rounds in Knysna and Plett each Wednesday to regale

us with tales of being accosted by senior citizens and young hipsters alike, their only shared interest being to get their hands on a copy of our latest issue, hot off the press.

Without the unique input of each team member, we would not have had the good innings or great fun that characterised our nearly 23-year run since that first black-and-white 12-pager hit the streets with great fan-

fare so many moons ago.

It’s simply not possible to thank every advertiser, contributor, or reader who supported us with their funds, words or feedback over the years. Below are some of the messages that have been streaming in since word of our battle lost got round.

Please accept our deepest gratitude and do enjoy this final edition.

The CXPRESS Team

We were the paper, you are still the news...

This photo of the talented Lunchbox Theatre crew adorned our edition on July 31, 2019, with the heading ‘We love being the news!’ - see page 4 of that issue at www.cxpress.co.za for the backstory. The following message was received from Lunchbox founder Stuart Palmer (at left) on Monday: “I just want to cry - so sad to hear about our favourite paper. Sorry we couldn’t support you guys with more advertising. Is there another in the pipeline or is this edition the last of the efforts from your amazing team? We are so deeply grateful to you all at CXPRESS for every little bit of magic you have brought to our town and surrounds, and for the most wonderful coverage that you have given Lunchbox and Tshisa Talent. Sending so much love to you all.” - Photo: Shanette Elliott

Tributes to CXPRESS Timothy Twidle I am truly sorry to hear that CXPRESS is to cease publication after March 10. The first piece that I had published in CXPRESS, under the title of Field Notes, was in September 2001.

CONTRIBUTOR OF NOTE: Timothy Twidle has written for CXPRESS since 2001

The column ran for a number of years, followed

by Who Do They Think They Are… (that was too satirical by half), book reviews, reportage on hard news, events, people, places, and much else.

I have good memories of the many, many assignments that I undertook for CXPRESS over the course of some 20 years; it was great fun and I enjoyed every minute of it! I shall miss you all - Esther de Villiers, Lezanne Watson, Linda Ausker, Sandi Smith and Watty Watson - as well as the deadlines.

I shall miss all that goes into writing and submitting copy, as well as the many laughs - we were even able to enjoy one or two social evenings together!

Farewell, CXPRESS. Thank you for everything.

The newspaper has made a great contribution to the Garden Route for a score of years plus three.

Lady Annabelle Conyngham It was with alarm that I received the news of the cessation of the CXPRESS. Another victim to the Covid pandemic?

Ever since I became involved with Hospice Plett and the Robberg Coastal Corridor Protected Environment, amongst others, I have worked very closely with and been supported by three of the energetic, hardworking ladies at the newspaper: Esther, Linda, and Sandi.

Nothing was ever too

much trouble and they all perfected the art of the possible. All advertisements were followed by editorials or snippets of news, drawing attention to events which might have otherwise been overlooked.

I so appreciate the assistance I have received over many years and our mutual collaboration.

The ‘Swallows’ rely on the CXPRESS for information on events and current affairs in the Bitou area - as do I. Not everybody is hooked on social media. It is a great loss to our community and myself.

Bob Hopkin The closure of CXPRESS really is sad news after all those years of mutual support and the buzz of seeing

one’s contribution in print.

It was a pleasure working with you but, in these troubled times, having the ability to adapt and cope with change has become a vital attribute to survival, I guess.

Our move to Panama has ended my journalistic career as I doubt that my eventual Spanish language skills will ever qualify me to convey information in print.

Thank you, Esther, for all your help and encouragement and best regards to my old buddy, Timothy Twidle. Hasta la vista.

Born in Africa CXPRESS newspaper has always been so incredibly close to our heart. Not only have we been neighbours - which is great when you need to collect your

favourite community paper right next door - but we have been incredibly blessed by the generosity of Lezanne, Esther and their team when it came to promote our organisation.

Being an NPO comes with a shoestring budget, but the paper has always welcomed each and every one of our articles.

More than once we have also managed to fill the front page, which was very special to everyone at Born in Africa.

CXPRESS Newspaper has been very instrumental in the success of Born in Africa. We will miss the friendly faces of the team next door and we wish you guys all the success the future may bring.

To page 4

NEWS & VIEWS

10 March 2021

CXPRESS

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Bitou allegedly pays contractor for homes that were never built A Western Cape Human Settlements committee spokesperson Matlhodi Maseko on Sunday March 7 claimed that, despite the fact that nearly three years have passed since the national funding of building materials, not a single structure had been built, “temporary or otherwise”, for residents in Bitou Municipality - this after 71 households lost their homes in the June 2017 fires.

“Alarmingly, the construction company Nzuzo Yalo Trading was paid almost two years ago for services not as yet rendered, and allegations are that the contractor is in fact an Eastern Cape-based company,” said Maseko, adding that members of the Western Cape Human Settlements standing committee had visited

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STILL STANDING, IF ONLY JUST… Members of the Western Cape Human Settlements standing committee visited Plett Airport to inspect supplies donated to aid 2017 fire victims; while much of the building materials are still usable, the use of some has been lost due to vandalism

the area and inspected the building materials.

“The local municipality applied for emergency funding from national government to assist residents affected by the fires and was subsequently granted more than R3.9-million to construct temporary housing units.

“Nearly two years have

passed since the company was paid for their labour on a housing development site which did not exist at the time. It was only last month that government transferred land to Bitou Municipality to begin the construction of temporary housing opportunities.

“We are, furthermore, concerned that the mu-

nicipality did not engage local communities about the proposed project which was then brought to a halt after community members refused to be reallocated to land that did not have any basic services or bulk infrastructure,” said Maseko.

She reminded that public participation was a cornerstone of any democratic

process to ensure that residents bought into the work of government, particularly when it could create such life-changing circumstances.

“This is a significant oversight on the part of the municipality, which has now led to valuable resources being stored at Plettenberg Bay Airport and left to gather dust. We also note

that while much of the building materials are still usable, the use of some has been lost due to vandalism.

“If allegations that the construction company is based in the Eastern Cape prove to be true, questions will need to be asked on why local businesses and contractors were passed up for this opportunity.”

Maseko added that, as far as possible, municipalities should leverage all of their resources to empower and uplift their own local economies.

“The standing committee on Human Settlement will continue its oversight work to ensure that residents of Bitou benefit from these building materials. The apparent mismanagement by the municipality in this matter cannot be allowed to continue,” she concluded.

Illegal dump site transformed into off-street chill spot by community-minded Kwano youth On February 27 Youth For Change (Y4C) - a group of young people from KwaNokuthula doing good in their ‘hood - cleaned one of the biggest illegal dumping sites in the area. Says Y4C’s Avela Bongoza: “For a while, some of the illegally-dumped rubbish was cleared away but then people would just return with more waste. So we at Youth For Change cleaned the site to create a chill spot and playground for kids so they can have a place to play away from the streets. We want a clean and healthy environment for our community, and create awareness of the dangers of waste and how it can harm especially children and the aged.” Illegal dumping is a problem in all Bitou areas and Y4C took the first step using their limited resources to create much-needed change. They are grateful for the assistance of Dylan Olivier and Bitou Waste Management, and invite all young locals to be part of their initiative and donate their time. Readers can also assist by donating funds directly to Y4C. Call S Bobani on 082 887 1636 for details or deposit into the Y4C account at Nedbank Plett (branch code 10901400), account number 1210532670.

Covid-19 storm has abated in Garden Route hospitals, but surveillance continues Ludumo Tede wave of relief has washed over Garden Route public hospitals’ health care workers as the number of Covid-19 patients is on the decrease.

The deceleration of active cases in the region has significantly reduced the number of hospital admissions, thus alleviating the extreme workload stress suffered by all medical staff.

The Western Cape Health department says it has been detecting this positive trend in Garden Route public hospitals ever since the district successfully took a firm grip on Covid-19, which is proven by the high number of recoveries in the region.

A departmental spokesperson says since then, the working environment has greatly improved.

“We have definitely noted a steady decrease in Covid-19 admission since the peak of the second wave.

The Garden Route currently [by Friday March 5] has 48 patients hospitalised for treatment of the

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virus,” says Nadia Ferreira of Western Cape Health’s Garden Route section.

“Knysna Hospital, for instance, had only eight Covid-19 cases by March 3 and none of our facilities are currently under severe pressure due to admissions.

The decrease in workload has enabled staff to take some much-needed leave to refresh, replenish their resilience and spend quality time with their loved ones.”

By December 2020, the virus had truly reared its ugly head all along the Garden Route, with an accelerated number of active cases, hospitalisations and deaths resulting in the region being declared a hotspot.

Healthcare workers, being at the forefront of the battle, were exposed to the highest risk of contracting the virus, despite always wearing protective gear. As the going got tougher they simply soldiered on, since public service is their cross to bear.

A total number of 255

healthcare workers in Garden Route public hospitals contracted the virus since the beginning of the pandemic, and sadly 10 of them have succumbed to it.

Currently the number of active cases among workers is negligible. But although the region has taken great strides in fighting the pandemic, Ferreira says the department will not drop its guard.

“I can confirm that we currently only have three active cases among Garden Route staff. However, due to our location on the inter-provincial migration and tourism route, we remain on high alert as part of our continued hotspot strategy.

“Although we have moved out of our second wave, we continue with active surveillance in order to respond to any new infection outbreaks,” she concludes.

• Visit www.cxpress.co.za to find out how the Western Cape Government is preparing for a possible third wave.

005-417 NPO

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

10 March 2021

Tributes to CXPRESS cont. from page 2

Farewell, CXPRESS RITA VAN RENSBURG/HARDAKER - a Plett local for 40 years and founder of the Differently-Abled Awareness Campaign - kicks off this continued salvo of tributes fitting epitaph to CXPRESS should read: “They were always there for us.” We, the Garden Route community, were always linked together through the latest up-todate, informative reporting of events, which affected all of us.

We reacted to bravery, personal losses, the state of our environment, government and municipal matters; there was always sage financial advice, input from the funnies, and it was just so normal, almost olde-worlde, that we felt all along we were still part of a small town, not a conglomerate with no heart. CXPRESS is ours.

Why does our oh-sospecial Garden Route community NEWSpaper, which was read by all who live here, have to close down? It is so necessary for so many to still know that they are an important thread in the fabric that makes for real, honest, accurate reporting.

The Differently-Abled Awareness Campaign, for one, was showcased on so many occasions, when CXPRESS publicised our many events and requests for fabrics to teach the children needlework, advertising our art competitions, and so much more.

CXPRESS helped us in our goals to spread awareness for our cause, and I thank you on behalf of all those who benefited.

This cannot be a joyous parting; it is bitter and sad, especially during these insecure times when we look

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forward to some form of normality. The loss of CXPRESS comes at a time when we need it most.

Thank you for the years of dedication, the long hours of meeting deadlines, and your genuine caring for US as the Garden Route community.

Please stay among us so that we can, in some way, be there for you when you need friends.

Marietjie Scholtz - John W Wessels Attorneys In 2020 we had to say farewell to so many people that were dear to us, and to things that we took for granted. We said goodbye to a great deal of our freedom and life as we knew it. As we slowly learn to live with the new normality, we value the few things left after last year's devastation.

Today, another bit of ‘the good old days’ was chipped away when I learned that the issue of March 10 will be the last for CXPRESS. Since 1998, CXPRESS was a welcome guest in our home. Reading the snippets, looking at the pictures of all the familiar faces, you kept us up to date on what is happening in town and what not.

Contacting CXPRESS was always a great experience. I mainly dealt with Linda, with her faster-than-lightning replies to emails, and Sandi, who just knew how to make a stupid advertisement look neat and professional.

It is with a heavy heart

that I say goodbye to CXPRESS. I'm going to miss the paper, I'm going to miss the news and I'm going to miss Linda and Sandi. Thank you for being part of my life for almost 23 years.

Garden Route District Municipality Communications team We are feeling down in the dumps about your newspaper exiting the media space - this has come as a big shock for all of us.

Thank you for your consistent and valued work relations with Garden Route District Municipality over the years.

Your quality reportage in the public interest has not gone unnoticed. With gratitude from Herman, Marillia, and Marlene.

Paul Haywood How very sad to learn that this week’s will be your final edition. You’ve gone from humble beginnings to a sought-after weekly publication, for the people of Plett and about the people of Plett.

All your concise, enjoyable and informative articles and correspondence served to highlight all and sundry - truly a publication for everyone!

How very sad to know that this will no longer be, but thank you one and all for bringing all of Plett and beyond closer and up to date. The reads have been magnificent, the articles so impacting.

We wish you a fond farewell and THANKS

for the memories.

Plettenberg Bay Tourism Association It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have worked with everyone at CXPRESS. Over the years you have come to know your readers, our residents, community leaders and business stakeholders who care deeply about Plettenberg Bay. We are grateful for the team at CXPRESS, for all the hard work and dedication put in to help shape the voice of our town.

The newspaper will be sorely missed.

We wish the team at CXPRESS all the very best for the future. Thank you.

Marsja Hall-Green - Plett Animal Welfare Service When I started the Plett Open Garden event in 2012, I very soon realised that the success of this venture would depend entirely on attracting large numbers of visitors to the gardens. And so started a long and happy relationship with Esther de Villiers and CXPRESS. She provided essential editorial coverage of, not only the garden day, but the Bitou Amateur Theatrical Society productions, Glorious Music concerts and many other PAWS events.

From the outset, Esther was warmly supportive of our efforts to raise funds for PAWS work in the community. Her willingness to publish our stories To page 5

NEWS & VIEWS

10 March 2021

Investor Focus

Malcolm Stewart – Investment manager at Michaelides Parker Wealth Knysna & Plett

Uncertain times ahead - and honouring an era’s end NVESTING in periods of uncertainty is extremely difficult. During these times, investors tend to react to past experiences, which in turn leads them into the trap of selling low and buying high.

One reads or remembers past threats and losses, or is absorbed by the success of the crowd and is then drawn into herd investing. So it becomes a story of investment decisions being driven by either fear or greed.

It is in these uncertain times that one should return to the basics. Look at the numbers, the yields, the P/E Ratio, or the net asset value. Is it a sound business model, or a dinosaur business?

This is particularly important in the present environment; we do not know when (if ever) the pandemic will be over, when people can return to work, when tourists will return, or if we ourselves will catch the virus.

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However, successful investment management is as much about discipline as it is about skill. Remember: after the event, every fool is wise, but only the wise will survive.

CXPRESS It was during the last century (doesn’t that sound dramatic?) that I first met the CXPRESS girls, Esther and Lezanne. They were young entrepreneurs dedicated to their community and emphatic about their editorial policy.

All articles had to have a community bias; they had to be ethical and designed to support the people of Plett and Knysna. They supported local matters, and local merchants supported them.

Their finances depended on the financial state of the community they served; CXPRESS was soon a household name.

Then times began to change - the big brands started to move in. Local

mom-n-pop shops came under massive pressure from the corporate world.

(Who remembers Monk’s Supermarket?)

There was now a Spar, a Pick n Pay, national estate agents appeared and the old guard gradually disappeared. Today we have a Woolies and a new Checkers. Even CXPRESS fell to this evolution and partly entered the corporate world.

The next threat was the advent of the digital world.

In other words, we all had a new means of communication - our laptops, our iPads, or at least our handheld computers (also known as cellphones).

Very few people bought printed newspapers, because all of a sudden, everything was online. So CXPRESS, along with all print publications, came under severe threat.

Then dawned the pandemic. It desiccated the tourist market upon which our Garden Route towns

are so heavily dependent.

Many of the surviving mom-n-pop businesses finally succumbed.

For a few weeks in April and May, CXPRESS could not be distributed, as many of its supporters had been obliterated.

We now come to the end of an era. Many will miss CXPRESS, and we will lose a well-loved window into our towns.

So, on behalf of my ‘retiree readers’ and colleagues at MPK Wealth, I wish the CXPRESS girls and their team a safe journey into the future.

With their commitment to the community, I’m sure we will see them in some future role serving us once more.

• Malcolm has been in the investment industry for nearly 50 years. He has written this column in CXPRESS for the last 22 years and is a specialist in managing retired wealth.

See the advert on this page for contact details.

Tributes to CXPRESS From page 4 made a most important contribution towards the success of all these annual events, ensuring good audiences and substantial funds for our cause.

Over the years, she has become a valued friend, always finding the time to share a personal anecdote, despite a very demanding work schedule.

We at PAWS remain eternally grateful to Esther and the CXPRESS team for providing us with an invaluable platform to tell our stories and to keep readers far and wide informed about our activities.

The closure of CXPRESS is a great loss to all at PAWS and we will also miss the weekly news about developments in our community. We thank you for the many years of generous support and we wish you all every success in your future endeavours.

Hanli van Rooyen Knysna Animal Welfare Services (KAWS) Thank you so much for placing the wonderful advertisements for us every week. The people arrive at KAWS clutching their

crumpled copies of CXPRESS, and then they know exactly which dog (or cat) they want to see, so they don’t have to feel overwhelmed by all the other animals.

It works really well!

[Unfortunately, Hanli, this privilege is now a thing of the past. Please turn to the back page to see this week’s animals in need of forever homes in Knysna and Plett.]

Kevin Meineke I am very sad to hear of the demise of CXPRESS. I have always looked forward to reading your weekly informative publication and keeping in touch with what is happening in the Plettenberg Bay and Knysna region, whether it be political, social events, historical or conservation, etc.

On a personal note, as a contributor to your Soapbox page, I would like to thank you VERY much for printing my letters that were pro-Israel.

Several newspapers will not print such letters and in general, Israel receives very bad press, which is often one-sided.

Best wishes to you and

your staff for the future and take care in these uncertain times.

I will miss CXPRESS! Michelle Klootwyk What a pleasure it has been working with CXPRESS for the last five years - professional and always helpful service!

Your weekly issues will be sorely missed from our Advanced Hearing waiting rooms, where our clients have enjoyed Plett and Knysna news.

Our best wishes to the CXPRESS staff.

Barbs and Dave Harrow Wednesdays will never be the same in Plettenberg Bay again without the outstanding, unmatched, legendary CXPRESS our “go-to” informative, topical, unbiased, and reliable newspaper will be greatly missed.

John Fuller I am so sorry to hear it this Covid period has had such a devastating effect on so many of us.

You can be very proud of the service that CXPRESS has given to the community for so many years. All the best for the future.

SHORT PARTING SHOTS • Bill Nel: Good heavens, this is terrible news. A part of Plett is dying…

• Rikke Daman: Oh no man, this does suck you’re an institution! Another one bites the Corona dust…

• Dallas and Linda Smith: So sorry to hear this will be your last edition. We wish you all the very best!

• Hein Pretorius: Jammer om te hoor CXPRESS is oor! Als van die beste vir julle vorentoe.

• Ida Jonas: Wishing you all the very best.

THANK YOU TO OUR REGULAR ADVERTISERS We would like to sincerely thank the following advertisers who stuck with us during the start of the pandemic, when we were forced to bring out online editions instead of the printed version: • Dr Brouckaert • Buco Plett • Seeff Properties Plett • Dr JH Meyer • GVH Landscapes • La Fashionista • Plett Ratepayers Association • Jordaan & Smith Attorneys • Mkon Construction • Pop it Inn • Reitz Tree Care.

CXPRESS

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CXPRESS

INTERVAL

10 March 2021

IF WE DON’T LAUGH...

• One minute you’re young and fun... The next minute you’re turning down the stereo in the car so you can see better.

• My boyfriend and I broke up.

He wanted to get married... I didn’t want him to.

• How many opticians does it take to change a light bulb?

Is it one or two? One… or two? One…or two?

• Waitress: “You wanna box for your leftovers?”

Customer: “No, but I will arm-wrestle you for the bill.”

• I’m dating this wonderful girl and she has a twin. People often ask me how I can tell them apart - but it’s easy, really. Jane likes to paint her fingernails, and Tom has a willie.

• The doorbell rings, and John opens the door and there’s his mother-inlaw on the front step.

“Can I stay here for a few days?” she asks.

John quickly replies: “Sure you can.” And he closes the door.

• A guy was staring at an ambulance in front of a health food shop, and remarked: “Somebody must have accidentally eaten gluten.”

• People are usually shocked when they find out I am not a very good electrician.

• It is a scientific fact

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that your body will not absorb cholesterol if you take it from another person’s plate.

• I walked into the liquor store and a guy working there asked me: “Do you need help?”

I said: “Yes, but I’m here to get whiskey instead.”

• Lady (to her doctor): “What I am worried about is my height and not my weight.”

Doctor: “How come?”

Lady: “According to my weight, my height should be 2.33 metres.”

• On the eve of our 50th anniversary I quietly confided to my husband that I was having an affair.

He turned to me and asked: “Are you having it catered?”

• I hired a handyman and gave him a list.

When I got home, only items number one, three, and five were done.

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Turns out, he only does odd jobs.

• Mother: “Little Johnny, wake up! It’s twenty to eight.”

Little Johnny (still half

asleep): “In whose favour?”

• There’s only one reason I would take up walking again...

So that I could hear heavy breathing again.

You people need to go back to work

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8 9 10 12 13

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17 18

19

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21 Quick

CROSSWORD

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crossword

no 15, 7

6

5

4

3

2

1

L O N E R

22

9 8 11

10 14 13 12

17 15

16 20

18

24

19

21

s

ent book Testam 14 Old (7) (5) 16 Fiddle (5)

s?

— narcotic

B R I D G E

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C I A A DM I R E L P M L E EWA R U R D P A T I A T U A T E R K I B A G E R A A A L B UME D L U E L E C T O

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C A R D I A O E C S I TWE L T R C S C OU R O E X O A A L T I ME U R S B OU DO I U S D R U T L A N N Y S

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ON THE SOAPBOX

10 March 2021

Letters to the Editor

Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600

Some things (viz: CXPRESS) just can’t be replaced One never misses something until it is lost - that is a profoundly Irish statement. The closing of CXPRESS Garden Route community newspaper is a profound loss.

Who else is going to inform us of the true state of local politics; carry news of the sad losses in

our community; advise us on what to do with our money (if by now we have any left)?

A small local newspaper carries the veins of communication through its pages - information that ties us together, and which even social media is not able to replace.

CXPRESS is not replaceable.

Ladies, thank you for your devoted hard work in keeping the newspaper going as long as you have.

We have a great debt to you, and it cost us nothing. Let us hope that our loss will lead to greater things for you.

Thank you.

PS: Who else would publish my ridiculous letters and that poem about the beaches, veritably forcing the president to open them two days later?

The power of CXPRESS! Well done, girls, the nation is in your debt.

Paul Deans, Plett

Plett’s Crescent Street intervention finally pays off We refer to a letter which appeared in your paper of August 12 last year [read ‘Social ills and intimidation abound…’ on page 11 of that edition at www.cxpress.co.za], dealing with the vagrancy and Covid-19 protocols (or lack of them) in Crescent Street.

We, the Crescent Street Action Group, have had

numerous meetings with the authorities to attend to this, and finally we are happy to advise that due to the intervention of [Bitou Law Enforcement chief] Siyasanga Vandala and ward councillor Dave Swart, there are now two law-enforcement officers posted in the area, which is having a significantly positive

impact on lawless behaviour in the street.

Please interact with these officers and support them as much as you can.

The Group is very grateful, particularly as there is a pre-school involved as well as restaurants in the vicinity, all of whom suffered as a result of the intrusive vagrancy and related problems for

a long time.

We would hate to see this trend returning at any time in the future.

The Group also wishes to thank the Shoprite centre management for their attention to the matter… some real value for our taxes.

Thank you!

Crescent Street Action Group, Plett

Longships Drive taxi troubles are among the many issues successfully tackled in CXPRESS My compliments to DJJ Freislich on his excellent ‘open letter’ to Bitou’s chief traffic officer [see page 7 of the February 24 edition at www.cxpress.co.za], with regards to the Longships Drive taxi chaos.

Taxi drivers’ behaviour and the problematic hygienic facilities as described by him are both inexcusable and unacceptable. All municipal employees are accountable for their actions and a simple message for this

gentleman is: Do the job you are paid for or resign.

Your weekly publication of CXPRESS and the focus on interesting Plett matters will always be very much appreciated.

David Winckler, Plett (Thank you for your ap-

preciation, David. We so wish we could say ‘watch this space’, but unfortunately we’ve run out of funds to serve as a platform for local discussions and the sharing of news and views from our readers. - Eds.)

Non-maintenance of Plettenberg Bay’s award-winning Blue Flag beaches irks local residents

A local reader who prefers to remain anonymous shared these pics of refuse that remains uncollected on a regular basis at Plettenberg Bay’s Lookout Beach. He wrote: “Bitou Municipality is advised weekly but seems unconcerned with pollution at this bin and along one of its most popular Blue Flag beaches. I collect masses of plastic and other waste from the beach daily. Why is it that members of the public are expected to maintain our Blue Flag beaches?”

Good luck Gqeberha, and thanks for all the fish* In these uncertain days of a coronavirus pandemic, and with South Africa probably in its biggest crisis since World War II, one wonders where the real concerns of the authorities lie.

In a country where service delivery is falling, sewerage systems collapsing, state education and health services are deteriorating, we also have to suffer an inept police force.

Stock theft is on the

increase along with cronyism, endemic looting of state funds and obvious lawlessness. But the authorities persist with the changing of names of towns and cities - and celebrate such.

It is as if name changes are a magic wand to wave about and the panacea for all problems.

What is really achieved by name changes? Can someone give an objective explanation?

If one considers a city like London, which derives its name from the Roman name of Londinium; in essence, it’s had the same name for 2,000 years.

Without the need to change its name, London today is one of the greatest cities in the world, in terms of metropolitan hierarchy.

When will those members of officialdom start to tackle the real and serious problems in SA,

instead of majoring on minor issues? It is urgently required.

Good luck, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) - may you prosper.

Kevin Meineke, Plett (* So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish is the fourth book in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy trilogy written by Douglas Adams. This reference serves as proof that we’re keeping a sense of humour, see? - Eds.)

CXPRESS

7

No sense singling out Catholic Church Your ardent letter writer, Kevin Meineke, asked in his letter to the editor [read it on page 7 of the March 3 edition at www. cxpress.co.za] that someone must please explain why the Catholic Church remains mute when it chose a Jewish Rabbi as the Messiah.

First of all, I do not wish my reply to trigger a stream of anti-Catholic vitriol; I simply wish to answer Mr Meineke’s question.

For the life of me, I do not know why he chose to single out the Catholic Church in his criticism of the World Council

of Churches and not the Anglican, Baptist or any of the other protestant denomination.

Second of all, the Catholic Church is not a member of the WCC, which was founded in 1948 as an organisation made up of protestant churches representing about 500 million non-Catholics, whereas the Catholic Church has more than a billion followers.

Incidentally, non-Catholics also believe that Jesus is the Messiah, so it’s all the more confusing why he singled out the Catholic Church.

Gavin Nefdt, Plett

8

CXPRESS

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

10 March 2021

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