11 December 2019
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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Photo: Martin Hurwitz
Beware the Spring Tide This image was captured during a recent routine practice sessi session ion of Plett’s NSRI S Station tation tat ti 14 crew at Central Beach. Find out more about this weekend’s sea rescue activities in the Bay on page 4, and turn to page 2 to find out why the water’s just fine, albeit home to the great white shark. Welcome to our beautiful neighbourhood!
Rage boosts economy p3
SA’s medical woes p8
Beach tennis action p16
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NEWS & VIEWS
11 December 2019
Just when you thought it wasn’t safe to go back into the water... Dr Enrico Gennari recently tried to persuade Wilderness residents that sharks are not quite so scary - BOB HOPKIN reports EMEMBERING back to 1975 is quite a stretch for most of us and especially for those not even born then, but one of highlights of that year was the release of a gripping film that launched the career of director Steven Spielberg. His film ‘Jaws’ with its graphic scenes of a predatory and vicious Great White shark terrorising the sleepy beach town of Amity Island, arguably set in motion the almost universal fear following a shark viewing. Even the theme music with its “Daah dunn, Daah dunn� still sends chills down the spine of many viewers. Perhaps that film did more than anything else to establish the fearsome image of sharks that has persisted over the years. As a counterpoint, highlyqualified marine researcher Dr Enrico Gennari of the Oceans Research Institute in Mossel Bay, used a presentation to Wilderness Residents Association to paint a contrary picture of them being a sophisticated and relatively benign species under threat. Dr Gennari admitted that he has had a passionate interest in sharks, and the White Shark in particular, from an
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early age and, doing research from his native Italy, discovered that Mossel Bay had the greatest concentration of this species in the world so he decided to establish his research programme there. This concentration was confirmed recently, he said, when a whale carcass was washed ashore and, using a drone to survey the surrounding waters, discovered the presence of 16 white sharks in the vicinity. Also, using a trap and release method, after inserting GPS tracking devices, his team discovered that sharks were frequently found under and around fishing boats and in
recreational swimming areas with little or no adverse contact or threats to humans. “The shark nets used, particularly by the KZN sharks board, are not a deterrent but just a fishing method to kill sharks to provide a psychological reassurance for swimmers,� he said. Noting that sharks have the same five senses as humans plus the ability to detect electricity and vibrations, he suggested a far more effective method to deter them would be to use electronic means to trigger either of these extra senses to persuade them to keep a distance.
FEAR NOT: Sharks are frequently found under and around fishing boats and in recreational swimming areas with little or no adverse contact or threats to humans, according to Dr Gennari
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He has also discovered, through analysis of shark cadavers, that their reproductive system is highly sophisticated, as females mate with multiple partners, but their bodies select the optimum semen for strongest offspring and also decide when to start the gestation process depending on food and temperature conditions. It seems as though our innate fear of sharks is exaggerated and, on the contrary, we should be grateful to be sharing the Earth with such refined and developed creatures.
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NEWS & VIEWS
11 December 2019
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DA bags another bittersweet by-election victory in Knysna Ludumo Tede
HE Democratic Alliance (DA) retained Knysna Municipality’s Ward 11 after winning the by-election on Wednesday December 4. The ward was contested by five political parties and one independent candidate. The DA secured 547 votes, with the ANC trailing closely behind with 378 votes, the EFF obtained 178 votes, the PBI 93, and ICOSA
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73, while the independent gained 46 votes. The total number of votes counted by the IEC was 1,315. A by-election was called after former ward councillor Donovan Pofadder resigned from his post in August citing the party’s treatment of embattled former Knysna mayor Mark Willemse as one of the reasons he stepped down. This victory is the second consecutive win this year
for the DA. However, the results in both by-elections, in spite of party victories, show that the DA is losing support with a 2% drop in votes during last weekend’s Knysna by-election. This follows an earlier byelection in Ward 5 where the party lost almost half of its voters to Knysna Independent Movement (KIM), which was formed a month before the election. The DA blamed the drop
Rage 2019 provided massive shot in the arm for Plettenberg Bay’s economy Yolandé Stander
LETTENBERG Bay has received an estimated economic boost of between R70-million and R90-million over the past week, thanks to spending of youngsters who attended the annual Plett Rage student festival in the coastal holiday town. Between 5,000 and 6,000 school leavers descended on Plett between November 29 and December 6 to celebrate the hard work they had invested in their academics over the past 12 years. Plett Rage, which cel-
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ebrated its 20th edition this year, is South Africa’s oldest student festival and provides the opportunity for students to let their hair down with a week’s worth of entertainment. Plett Tourism spokesman Patty Butterworth said this year’s event ran like a welloiled machine and left the town with a week-long hive of activity. “We estimate that each festino spends between R12,000 and R15,000 during their stay over this period, which is great for the economy,” Butterworth said. She added that this amounted to a
massive economic boost of up to R90-million. “We don’t have figures yet, but restaurants have reported that this year’s event saw more students spending money on breakfast and lunch at the town’s establishments. In the past they would usually eat at home.” Butterworth said that while the economic boost was great, the benefits were even more far reaching. “These are our future tourists. They come here and get a taste of what the town has to offer, and most return for holidays in the future.” Garden Route Media
Name released of second victim in last week’s fatal Bitou air crash OLICE confirmed the identity of the second person who died when a light aircraft crashed near the Plettenberg Bay Airport on December 2. The wreckage was found near the Plettenberg Bay Airport Business Park and the incident happened just before 6pm. Police spokesman sergeant Chris Spies confirmed that the passenger in the plane was Johannes Izak Frederick Dormehl, 57. The pilot was local resident Stewart Lithgow. Spies said both the passenger and the pilot sustained serious injuries during the crash.
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“The passenger died on the scene while the pilot was taken to a hospital in Knysna where he also died later,” Spies said. The Western Cape health department’s emergency medical services responded to reports of the crash and personnel attempted to save the two men. They were assisted by several other organisations including members of the local National Sea Rescue Institute. “The two patients were trapped in the aircraft. Sadly one of them was fatally injured on the scene and the other passed away in hospital.
“Our sincere condolences to the family of the two deceased as circumstances around the crash are being investigated by the police,” said provincial health department spokesperson Deanna Bessick. Spies confirmed that a culpable homicide case had been opened as a matter of course and that SAPS guarded the scene before handing it over to the SA Civil Aviation Authority. The regulator did not respond to questions relating to the matter before going to print. It is still unclear what the cause of the accident was. - Yolandé Stander
in voters’ numbers in both recent by-elections on the “underperformance” of its former councillor. Nonetheless, they are certain they will win back these votes. Speaking for the DA in Knysna, head of constituency Dr Dion George said: “Given the underperformance of the former ward councillor, we are not disappointed at the outcome. We will win back every voter who may have felt let down.” Even though COPE’s absence in the recent byelection could strengthen the rumour that its local
SOON TO BE SWORN IN: New Knysna Ward 11 councillor Lorraine Opperman is a resident of Hornlee
leader, Elrick van Aswegen, is partnering with the DA in council in return for the DA post in the next elections, Dr George refused to comment on the rumour. “I can’t speak for councillor Van Aswegen. He is a hard-working councillor and a well-respected community leader.” Councillor Lorraine Opperman is now the new Ward 11 councillor for Knysna Municipality, representing the DA in Hornlee and surrounds. An inauguration date had not yet been announced by going to print.
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NEWS & VIEWS
11 December 2019
NSRI SAFETY APPEAL
Bathers and boat users warned to be extra cautious when spring high peaks tomorrow N a statement released on Monday, National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) members appeal to the public to only swim at beaches protected by lifeguards, and to only swim at times when lifeguards are on stand-by. “NSRI, lifeguards, maritime authorities, emergency services, emergency medical services, fire and rescue services, police, traffic, and law enforcement are on high alert to assist during the summer vacation period and we are urging the public to have a safety conscious mind-set in and around coastal and
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inland waterways.” According to the statement, the next Spring Tide is on Thursday December 12 at full moon. The higher than normal high tides and the lower than normal low tides had already started around the coast and would peak tomorrow. “It will last until at least around December 17, and caution around the coast is advised to bathers, anglers, and coastal hikers.” The statement reminded boaters and paddlers of craft launching to go to sea to download the free
cellphone app NSRI RSA SafeTrx from the web page www.searescue.org.za and also appealed to parents and care providers to ensure children have responsible safety supervision in and around the water. Pink Rescue Buoy used to thwart fatal drowning Ross Badenhorst, NSRI Plett deputy station commander, said: “At 4:58 on Friday December 6, our duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Central Beach.” But when the Station 14 rescue swimmers arrived on
the scene, no persons in difficulty could be found. “On investigation it was confirmed that a male bystander had used an NSRI Pink Rescue Buoy, stationed at Central Beach, to assist a man who had been in difficulty in the surfline and both were safe out the water. “We commend the bystander who went into the surf to assist, as well as those who used the information on the rescue buoy signboard to raise the alarm,” he said. Another alarm was raised mere hours later on the same morning at 7:11am.
“NSRI rescuers were on the scene for the initial call when a surfer was spotted by fishermen in difficulty in the surf at The Gap on Robberg Peninsula, in heavy six-foot swells and appearing to be attempting to paddle out of danger but caught in rip currents,” Badenhorst explained. The sea rescue craft Free Runner was launched and reached the surfer - a local 22-year-old male - 700 metres off-shore. He was taken on board and brought safely to shore, where no further assistance was required.
WHAT A BUOY’TJIE: The NSRI Pink Rescue Boy stationed at Central Beach and the quick action of bystanders who followed the instructions helped to save another bather from drowning
NEWS & VIEWS
11 December 2019
Western Cape province gives fire support to Garden Route District BOB HOPKIN reports on an early Christmas gift for our fire services S one of the few regions of the country endowed with what remains of our Afro-montane forest, the Garden Route is cursed as well as blessed. The beauty of the rolling hills and lower mountain slopes covered with both indigenous and planted forest pleases the eye but, at the same time, is a cause of massive fire risk, as has been proven in the recent past. Thankfully the Western Cape provincial government has recognised the need for enhanced firefighting equipment in this region and, last week, oversaw the handover of R10-million worth of vital resources to the firefighting services of Garden Route District Mu-
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nicipality (GRDM). Unlike mainly metropolitan areas, where there is a need for aerial rescue ladders and multi-storey capable high-level fire hose trucks, the Garden Route’s mainly rural nature requires ‘go anywhere’ tank fire trucks that carry their own 6,000-litre water supply or can pump from streams or rivers as necessary. Part of the provincial donation were two Iveco specialised 4X4 fire engines that have substantial offroad capabilities and are able to reach remote areas even driven through dense brush and light forest. At R3-million each, these made up the bulk of the extra equipment supplied
to complement the three existing fire engines and smaller support vehicles in the local inventory. GRDM Community Services executive manager Clive Africa said that, in the past, there was a “fire season” which was often related to drought conditions and the onset of fire-promoting winter berg winds. Now, he said, with changing climatic conditions, “fire season is all year round”. According to Africa, these changing circumstances have prompted a change in strategy to pre-emptive as well as reactive by adopting a fire risk management approach, including using district resources to clear alien and dry vegetation as a
TOUGH GUYS TOPS: Fire and Rescue staff with some of the new brand trucks - Photo: Bob Hopkin
preventative measure. Due to the massive open and often inaccessible areas in the region, instances have occurred where a fire has been thought to be ex-
CXPRESS tinguished, only to flare up again hours or days later. Last year, Fire Services added a high-resolution drone to their equipment to locate remote flares. This
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year, they added an infra-red scanning drone which will plot the location of smouldering remains that could well re-ignite, and so allow them also to be extinguished.
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NEWS & VIEWS
11 December 2019
Military Academy’s Trans Enduro students do a Plett pit stop ARLIER this month, Plettenberg Bay was honoured with a visit by the annual Trans Enduro Exercise of the South African Military Academy, home to the Faculty of Military Science of the University of Stellenbosch.
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The Trans Enduro, now in its 37th year, takes place over a period of nine days, when students travel along the coast from Port Elizabeth to Saldanha Bay in cycling, running and sea teams, together with and supported by media, lo-
gistics, sustenance, signal, fund-raising and community outreach units, stopping en route at a number of towns and the City of Cape Town. This year, 165 members of the Academy were involved in the exercise.
Supporting schooling for excellence
READY - STEADY - READ - WRITE WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP YOUNG CHILDREN LEARN TO READ AND WRITE? The Bitou 10 Education and Development Foundation is running a project at Formosa Primary, to help children in Grades R and 1, to develop their Afrikaans reading and writing skills. They will be using the Ready Steady 5HDG :ULWH 3URJUDPPH GHYHORSHG E\ D QRQ SURȴW RUJDQLVDWLRQ FDOOHG :RUGworks.
Participants and brigadier general Gerald Pharo, commandant of the SA Military Academy, were met by Bitou mayor Peter Lobese and members of the municipal staff at 7:30 on Monday December 2 at Central Beach. In a short address, Lobese said: “I am impressed by your discipline and your hard work. It is an honour to meet with you. You are our hope and our future. May God bless you all.” In reply, general Pharo thanked Bitou for the warm welcome extended to them and explained how Trans Enduro was used to develop the qualities of leadership, perseverance and endurance in students of the Academy. Letters of goodwill were exchanged prior to the teams being wished well and started on their way.
Words & photos: Timothy Twidle
GRAND PARADE: Teams that participated in the 37th Trans Enduro Exercise on parade at Central Beach in Plett
IN THE THICK OF IT: Members of Trans Enduro support units were, at back, lieutenant Palesa Macheli, and in front from left, midshipman Nwabisa Zuba, lieutenant Thulani Luhabe, and midshipman Raylene Pienaar
Tutors (volunteers) are needed to work with pairs of children for a couple of hours each week. No previous experience is needed, just a love of children and a bit of patience! We will provide you with initial training and ongoing support and advice. If you would like to get involved, GURS LQWR WKH VFKRRO RɝFH RU FDOO Sooneela: 079 522 8204 or Madeleen: 044 533 6466 or email: manager@bitou10foundation.co.za or admin@bitou10foundation.co.za
Please join our team and help us PDNH D GLHUHQFH WR WKH OLYHV RI young children!
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SEAFARERS: Bitou mayor Peter Lobese, seated at left, and brigadier general Gerald Pharo, seated at right, with Sea Team members of the Trans Enduro Exercise - at back, from left are major Tolman Mereko, midshipman Frederik Bredenkamp, ensign Government Muthombeni, midshipman Jaco Potgieter, midshipman Gino Naidoo, midshipman Tavis Subramani, and second lieutenant Avumile Finiza
NEWS & VIEWS
11 December 2019
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Season’s blessings for 15 children during Smile Week in George HRISTMAS came early for 15 George children who underwent transformative corrective surgery at George Regional Hospital as part of the Smile Foundation’s Smile Week from December 2-6. Inclusive of this year’s Smile Week, 90 children received life-changing surgeries at this hospital with support of the Smile Foundation and its generous sponsors. George Regional Hospital Smile Week is backed by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), which has supported three other Smile Weeks across SA this year. The surgeries performed over the week included scar revision, ear reconstruction, cleft lip and palate repair, Alveolar bone graft and bilateral otoplasty. Eleven-year-old Tahila is among the children who received surgery. Tahila was diagnosed with Goldenhar Syndrome at birth - a very rare congenital defect characterised by incomplete development of the ear lobes, soft palate, lip and mandible. In 1-2% of cases, the condition is inherited as a genetic disorder. Comments Smile Foundation operations director Moira Gerszt: “Tahila is a
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remarkable young girl and we are proud to be part of this life-changing surgery. “With the deepest gratitude to the surgical team from Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, George Regional Hospital and our generous sponsors, 90 children’s lives within Eden have been positively transformed, and we hope to impact the lives of several more in the coming year.” Dr Saleigh Adams began this outreach programme in 2014, as a high percentage of the children from this region have historically had to travel all the way to Cape Town for their surgeries. “With this project they can be close to their families and homes while receiving the needed reconstructive surgery. We commend ACSA who has generously sponsored four Smile Weeks across the country this year, and we are enormously appreciative of their commitment to assisting young South Africans in need.” “We’re immensely grateful for the expertise of plastic and reconstructive surgeons Dr Saleigh Adams, Dr Bruce Lelala and Dr Destiny Links from Cape Town, and private
Knysna surgeon Dr Marshall Murdoch, as well as the committed staff at George Regional Hospital,” said Gerszt. ACSA has bacled the Smile Week in Port Elizabeth for several years. Based on the success of previous Smile Weeks, the company has now extended its financial assistance from one Smile Week in the Eastern Cape to Smile Weeks in Bloemfontein, Kimberley and George. Says Refentse Shinners of ACSA Corporate Affairs: “It is particularly important to us that we are able to support Smile Weeks outside of the three major metropolitan areas where access to the highest quality of specialist skills can be a challenge. “We are excited about helping to make a positive difference in the lives of more children who have had to endure the most heart-breaking psychological and physiological trials. “It is truly moving to be able to play a role when people’s lives are changed for the better so fundamentally. We are forever grateful to the medical teams for their continuing dedication and commitment to this effort. “Most importantly, we wish all the patients the very
CUTTING EDGE: Knysna surgeon Dr Marshall Murdoch was one of the Smile Week team to have changed the future of local children with facial deformities
best in life as they open this new chapter,” said Shinners. Now in its 19th year, Smile Week has helped change the lives of over 3,500 children since inception. Chief patron, the late honourable Nelson Mandela, passionately supported Smile Foundation with the aim of reaching as many South African children in need as possible to alleviate the stigma of living with a facial condition. Visit smilefoundation.co.za for additional information.
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BUSINESS
11 December 2019
SA’s medical woes enough to make one feel rather ill Stuart Murray
ITH our population fast approaching 60-million, more and more pressure falls on our health system - deeply regimented between a failing national network and an expensive and thus socially divided private medical sector. The latter has been the subject of a highly critical Competition Commission investigation cov-
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ering both medical aid schemes and private hospitals. The Commission expressed concern over the feasibility of how to integrate (and slowly replace) the existing private sector with the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. It has recommended far-reaching changes which, it says, are needed to enable a fully implemented NHI to function. As for the current situation,
the Commission states: “The market is characterised by highly concentrated funders and facilities markets, disempowered and uninformed consumers, a general absence of value-based purchasing, practitioners who are subject to little regulation, and failures of accountability at many levels.” The private hospital market, while providing a welcome option for patients, is dominated by three groups - Netcare, Mediclinic, and Life - whose market shares (based on 2016 admissions) were 33%, 28.6%, and 28.5% respectively. These groups, the Commission points out, make it very hard for newcomers and fringe players to compete on merit. They “all but dictate” price and costs increases for funders (medical aid schemes). The report adds: “These facilities operate without any scrutiny of the quality of their services and the clinical outcomes which they deliver, because there are no standardised publicly-shared measures of quality and healthcare outcomes to compare one with another.” Hospital admission rates, levels of care, admissions to intensive care and lengths of stay were, says the report, higher than can be explained by the burden of illness of inmates. Over-servicing or using higher levels of care than required is “a waste of resources and may even be disadvantageous to patients’ health”. It “pushes up the cost of care”. The Commission further criticises incentives in the market such as fees-
for-services which, it says, promote over-utilisation. This means that the more services practitioners provide, the greater their income which creates a perverse incentive for profitmaximising individuals or groups. The Commission also complains that consumers are unable to swiftly leave medical aid schemes when offered better benefits from other providers. In its 250-page report, the Commission lists hundreds of suggested changes to long-standing practices and regulations, including the way in which medical aids operate. These include the introduction of “standardised benefit packages” - an extension of the current minimum prescribed benefits, which will offer some level of out-of-hospital and primary care. Medical aids will have to offer supplementary packages to supplement the current list of prescribed benefits. These will be risk-rated. There is criticism of the number of “incomparable” medical aid benefits from which consumers can choose. To remedy this, the Commission has recommended the introduction of a single, standardised benefit scheme designed to attract members irrespective of their age, health, or risk profile. Also on the cards is a plan to create geographic medical aid schemes, but how that will work is anybody’s guess... The other health issue facing South Africans is the proposed NHI, its cost and administration. Implemen-
tation could, some suggest, take a decade - during which time the current system will continue. But the likely cost is another conundrum. Will it be capable of improving the health and welfare of a population rising towards the 60-million mark? There are plans to further raise taxes, including introducing a mandatory payroll tax. There are also suggestions that government intends to remove the medical scheme tax credits, which were introduced to encourage individuals to pay their own medical expenses and thus take pressure off public medical care. This would adversely affect more than 20% of private medical scheme members. Not surprisingly, there is a wide body of cynicism about the entire proposed NHI enterprise. Will it become yet another juicy target for state capture? Wits professor Alex van den Heever, during a discussion on the NHI at the recent SA Vision 2030 Summit, commented: “Besides the huge costs associated with the NHI, I believe the plan will create another state-run monopoly that is destined to fail and become racked by corruption and state capture.” PS: As I write, the lights have gone out... Stage 2 load shedding again! • Stuart Murray (stuartmurray 758@gmail.com) is a former senior assistant editor of Financial Mail and co-founder, editor, and CEO of Finance Week. He is retired and lives in Plettenberg Bay.
PROMOTION
11 December 2019
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ENTERTAINMENT
11 December 2019
Just like Europe, but this local market is much friendlier and more affordable HEN the latest edition of go! Platteland hit the shelves last week, Menno and Will Hiemstra of Harkerville Saturday Market outside of Plett got a very pleasant surprise. The Hiemstras were on a trip Down Under when the go! crew called at the farmer’s market they had established on the N2 10km west of Plett more than 20 years ago, and in their absence interviewed just about every stallholder and vendor of the wide variety of eats, treats, flowers and other wares available for sale each Saturday morning. The Summer 2019/20 edition of go! Platteland mentions the Harkerville Market feature on its cover, and from p138-143, market people and prod-
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La Luna
COVER STORY: The latest edition of ‘go! Platteland’ sings the praises of Plett’s popular Harkerville Market
ucts are splurged in full colour with photos by Peter van Noord. Under the heading ‘Tree-mendous’, Johan van Zyl writes: “If you are planning to spend time on the Garden Route over the Festive Season, set aside a Satur-
day morning to visit the Harkerville Market next to the N2 between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. “From the moment you arrive at the Harkerville Market, envy grips you by the throat. Why, you groan on the inside, are the residents of Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and surrounds so fortunate that they get to do their weekly shopping here on Saturdays at a market that resembles the best in Europe? “Blissful in the outdoors under a stand of shade trees. Everything as fresh as can be, locally-produced and most organic. Vegetables and fruit, most of it grown in the region. Cheese and yogurt, farm eggs, meat, honey, flowers, plants, bread from the well-known île de pain bakery in Knysna…
“If Harkerville Market were a shop, you’d probably call it ‘one-stop supermarket’, because initially it seems like a cross between farmer’s market and food market. But then you notice the second department with arts and craft, clothing, jewellery, toys, woodwork, bed linen, hand bags and pretty things for the home. “And at the centre of the colourful hubbub a large tree towers over everything with ample climbing opportunity for the kids surrounded by a sea of tables where marketgoers can tuck into breakfast, lunch, coffee and cake. “Almost like in Europe - just much friendlier and more affordable.” See the Harkerville Saturday Market ad on this page for contact details.
Entertainment Diary • SANParks Honorary Rangers invite you to join them for three days of nature facts and fun for the whole family at Ebb & Flow camp in Wilderness. From December 18 to 20, learn the art of bird watching from experts and practise your birding skills on guided walks through birding paradise. Kids can join activityfilled birding events and there will be an outing to explore the fascinating geology of the area. Or join
the guided nature photography walk, where you will get to focus on the intricacies of nature. Some talks are free while others have a cover charge of R50pp. Advance bookings are required, except for the kids’ events. Bring binoculars, cameras, bird books, water bottles, hats and sunscreen for the walks. Call Retha on 083 576 4064 to book. • Enjoy a run or a walk on the beautiful 18-hole
Plett Country Club on December 20 at 7pm. The sunset with the last of the prolific bird calls of the day should make for a great experience. Barrel through the rough and across the fairways at whatever speed you choose without having to look for a little white ball. Relax at on the veranda and enjoy a cold drink and a wors roll as those who tackled the 5.5km route - which takes in the best parts of the course -
DECEMBER 4th DECEMBER 11th DECEMBER 18th
TUESDAY 24th
complete their run. Only the first three male and female finishers will win prizes but there will be great lucky draws to keep it interesting for all. Registration on December 20 starts from 5:30pm, Entry costs R150pp and includes a wors roll. Racers are limited to 150 only so enter today through https://entrytickets.net/ or contact James at muddy foot@roystonfarms.co.za or on 082 925 7885 for additional information.
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11 December 2019
Die vele voordele van jag teenoor seks • Maak nie saak hoeveel wyn jy gedrink het nie, jy bly lus vir jag. • Mens kan heel dag en heel naweek jag. • Jy hoef nie jou jagtydskrifte weg te steek nie. • Die Tien Gebooie verbied nie jag met verskillende jagmaats nie. • Jou jagmaat is nie gepla oor jou vorige jagmaats nie. • Dis heel aanvaarbaar om saam met ‘n totale vreemdeling te jag. • Jy sal nie blind word as jy op jou eie jag nie. • Daar is geen jagverwante aansteeklike siektes nie. • Jy hoef nie jag op te gee wanneer jou jagmaat belangstelling verloor nie. • Jy sal nooit jou jagmaat hoor sê: “Wat? Wil
jy alweer jag? Ons het dan laasweek gejag. Is jag AL waaraan jy kan dink?” • Om safe te jag sit jy net jou geweer op safe. • Jy kan foto’s van jou jag op Facebook sit sonder om skaam te word. • Jy kan met verskillende gewere jag op een jagtog. • Jy kan jou kerkvriende saamnooi op ‘n jag. • Jou jagmaat raak self lus vir jag na die eerste dag. • Oupa kan ook nog jag. • As jy klaar geskiet het, haal jy net oor en kan dadelik weer skiet. • Party gewere kan selfs automaties skiet. • As die jagseisoen toe is, kan jy nog altyd op jou eie bietjie teiken skiet. • Jy kan tot so ver gaan en jou jagmaat vra om bietjie te voel hoe skiet sy geweer.
One mighty mite fly feels a bug on its back. “Hey, bug on my back, are you a mite?” the fly asks. “I ‘might’ be,” giggles the mite.
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“That’s the worst pun I’ve ever heard,” groans the fly. “What do you expect?” says the mite. “I came up with it on the fly...”
I ordered a chicken and an egg on Amazon. I’ll let you know...
INTERVAL
A married man’s confession...
“I always read my wife’s horoscope to see what kind of day I am going to have...”
SOCIAL SCENE
11 December 2019
CXPRESS
People, places & events PAWS GAIN BIG FROM BARBS’S BRUSHSTROKES: A fundraising evening in aid of Plett Animal Welfare Service (PAWS) was held at Café Bea Eli on December 7. ‘Another Million Brushstrokes for PAWS’ was the initiative of Barbara Rolfe - a Plett artist of renown who has represented SA at the World Federation of Miniatures. Along with refreshments and canapés, a raffle of six prizes all paid for or arranged by Barbara was drawn. Of the 100 miniature paintings on display, 94 were snapped up within minutes, raising about R35,000 for PAWS. All the animals in its care shout out a big ‘THANK YOU’ to Barbara Rolfe, pictured at top left with Café Bea Eli proprietor Carol Burger, holding a plate of the delicious mince pies she prepared for the evening. Above from left, Mirriam Nontobeko Mfundisi, Lillian Nonzame Maki and Charity Zingisa Yose of KwaNokuthula show off the paintings they purchased. At left are some of the PAWS volunteers - from left are Jolene van Zyl, Leigh Dunn, Lynne Clarke, and Carey Leigh Tesselaar. Below from left are Debra de Villiers. Tracey Mae and Carol Hunphrey. - Timothy Twidle
GETTING IN THE SPIRIT: Capturing the festive spirit in Knysna once again, Oakhill Christmas Market was hosted by The Lofts Atrium on Sunday December 1. The merry atmosphere on Thesen Islands was ingested by many who saw an opportunity to add to their Christmas shopping from beautifully decorated stalls of local wares with an abundance of ingenious gifts. Instead of the Glühwein so suitable for European climes, refreshments offered by Knysna Gin Kiosk were very much appreciated in the hot weather. - Gigi Lewis
CHORAL DELIGHTS: The Plett Choir performed ‘Night of the Father’s Love’ by Pepper Choplin at St Thomas Methodist Church on the evening of Sunday December 8, in the cause of Hospice Plett. The performance was conducted by Robyn Brouckaert, with Jill Kirkland on piano - pictured at left and right above respecively - and narrated by the handsome David Hall-Green, at left above. From left below are choir members Dee Tobin, Penny Kerr, Ruby Ovenstone and Kathy van Staden. - Timothy Twidle
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CXPRESS
11 December 2019
Jack of all trades handyman on call - contact 082 492 4417 / 072 724 6590
0795738656 ĂĚŵŝŶΛƉůĞƩƐƚŽƌĂŐĞ͘ĐŽ͘njĂ ǁǁǁ͘ƉůĞƩƐƚŽƌĂŐĞ͘ĐŽ͘njĂ
CLASSIFIEDS
ON THE SOAPBOX
11 December 2019
Letters to the Editor
CXPRESS
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Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600
Track down your nearest asylum as it may be the sanest and safest place to stay I am moved to put pen to paper for the last time in defence of my opinions, which I do agree are pretty strong, but then again you must look whence they come: a raving, rude man. There is of course a fine line between rudeness and honesty. I believe in the latter. Again, raving is associated with lunatics perhaps there I could be on shallowing ground. My original letter was in response of criticism of Plett. That’s my privilege, and not the tweeting
of swallows But to go back to tourism in Plett: what is going on - or not going on, since the resignation of the one person who was totally dedicated to furthering tourism in our town - is a matter of grave concern. We seem to be going backwards after enormous progress in the last few years. This should be of concern to everyone in the industry. But let’s rather revisit the “nanny state” as mentioned by Claire and
Laurence [read their letter on page 11 of the December 4 edition at www. cxpress.co.za]. Come on! Anyone watching my fellow ravers in that lunatic asylum called parliament over the Brexit issue? So few are now prepared to accept responsibility for themselves. And the fact that everything must be done by the government underlines my point. Anyway, they were not my words but have been used many times before by com-
menters on Mud Island. So A&S from Suffolk (love the last four letters), and C&L from just down the road from me, you may now relax; my ravings are finally over. All that is left is to wish my fellow ravers a hell of a great Christmas. As for the New Year that’s coming our way: an asylum may be the sanest place to be. PS: And I love PSs! If A&S are upset about Clacton, may I suggest Southend? Paul Deans, Plett
SOS to Plettenberg Bay Beach Control! For many weeks now we observe the many dead seals washed up on Robberg Beach. Some have sinister green/blue paint markings. That obviously means that somebody’s blessing is given for them to decay on this spot on our beautiful beach?! They ooze unmentionable juices and penetrating smells. Okay, after a long time the meaty, juicy bits are gone and beautiful white bones
stand out, with little fur pieces around. The whole process is helped along by dogs that are magically attracted by the stench, the opportunity of a tasty bite, and a roll in some wild and wonderful perfume. But our human sensibilities turn to more morbid thoughts… Plett is a feeling and really, really beautiful. Please, let us all work on that magic. Plettonian, by email
(Dear Plettonian, you can rest assured that the paint is no sinister cult practice, but rather part of a method used by local seal expert Frikkie van der Vyver to inform his team when they carry out research on the washed up seals. When high seas occur, these babies are washed off the rocks and since they’re not strong swimmers yet, often succumb to the surf. Upon our enquiry, Bitou Beach Control had
reiterated the above, as well as the fact that it was not healthy for the beach and dune vegetation when 4x4 vehicles too regularly traversed our Blue Flag beaches to collect the carcases already recorded by Mr van der Vyver. But a full sweep of Robberg Beach was done on Sunday, to be followed up by further collections as more seals wash up. Call Beach Control on 044 501 3125 for further details. - Eds.)
Our Post Office suffers from the same malaise as most of our government institutions I went to Plettenberg Bay Post Office (PO) this week to pay a traffic fine I had incurred in Cape Town. I have a pamphlet from the PO stating that traffic fines from Cape Town may be paid at Plettenberg Bay PO. I told the counter assistant, who was rather cheerless, that I wanted to pay a traffic fine and handed her the summons. She looked at this summons as if it was the first time she had ever seen one, and then stared
blankly into her computer screen. After about one minute she said: “It has not arrived yet.” I told her that I was not expecting anything and repeated what I was trying to do, only to receive the same answer again. Realising that I was not going to achieve anything here, I retrieved my summons, thanked the lady (not sure what for) and walked to a nearby supermarket, where a supervisor directed me to
Support of Sibanye makes for great year-end bash
a counter where I was attended to by a very polite and helpful assistant. Within three minutes the transaction was complete and I left the store with my receipt, carefully stapled to the summons - “so it does not become lost,” said the lady. What excellent service. Ahead of me at the PO a couple were being served and from their accents I deemed them to be foreigners. They wanted postage stamps to send two picture postcards back to their country. I was alarmed to hear the assistant tell them that they could only buy a minimum of 10 stamps. After some hesitation from the couple and further discussion, they purchased the 10 stamps, however I could see that they were not happy. Is this correct? Does
the PO only sell stamps in multiples of 10 these days, or is this simply a dodge to increase PO income? As the very heartbeat of Plettenberg Bay’s economy is tourism, surely we can treat tourists better than that. Finally, I wonder when the PO last cleaned the blades of their ceiling fans. They are covered in filth. What a dismal experience. Surely our PO staff can take some pride in what they do. I fear the malaise that has infected all institutions under our ANC-controlled government is now also affecting the South African postal service. Kevin Meineke, Harkerville (This letter was sent to the Plett postmaster for a response, but none had been received by our going to print. - Eds.)
Booze to Ragers take precedence over parking I’m writing on behalf of Sibanye Rugby Football Club to say a very big thanks to Samnkelo Majo and Mr and Mrs Jansen, pictured above. Two weekends ago, their support enabled us to have a year-end function in Qolweni and we would like to wish them a blessed Christmas and New Year. We also hope all our players and supporters have a great holiday. - Hazel Mbanguta, Plett
Is it acceptable that Bitou Municipality should deprive the disabled from their zoned parking space at Central Beach, in favour of the enterprise who caters for the
matrics’ alcoholic misbehaviour at this beach? Is that what Plett Rage is all about - profiteering from selling alcohol to teenagers? The Drone, Plett
Your goods will be used by animal carers Bitou CVC works together with PAWS (Plett Animal Welfare Service) and assists NPO Muddy Pooches as well as Sunshine Sanctuaries at The Crags. Thank you once again to our monthly sponsors - we are most grateful for your support. We are always collecting sec-
ond-hand clothing and household items. If you can assist in this regard, please give us a call on 072 296 4283 or deliver to Marineway Animal Hospital in Plett. Many thanks from every member of our team. Tina van Reenen, Plett
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CXPRESS
SPORT & ADVENTURE
11 December 2019
Come summer slam it in Plett on Central as beach tennis royalty defend their crowns TALIANS Alessandro Calbucci and Michele Cappelletti - men’s beach tennis world number one and two respectively - will be two of the international stars seen in action on Plett’s Central Beach from this weekend onwards, when the second edition of the KIA Summer Slam Beach Tennis Tour takes
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the Garden Route by (sand!) storm. Apart from these two defending champions, other top international players participating will include Russian world number four Nikita Burmakin and Italian world number five Tommaso Giovannini. With many more of the world’s top 50 players set to
compete alongside a healthy contingent of home-grown talent, local fans are in for a spectacular showcase of the very best that beach tennis has to offer. National support is likely to rally around locals (men) Michael de Jongh, Ryan Brookshaw, Jody Claassen, (women) Helga Jeske, Lynn Kiro and Kyla Yelverton,
GRAND-SAND SLAM: Reigning ITF World Champion Alessandro Calbucci, below, and his world number one team mate, fellow Italian Michele Cappelletti - captured in mid-air above - will be in action when the Summer Slam Beach Tennis Tour comes to Plett this weekend
who will be looking to make a name for themselves on home turf after representing SA at the recent World Team Championships in Moscow, finishing in a respectable 15th place. “KIA Motors is delighted to once again be a partner to Tennis South Africa for the second KIA Summer Slam Beach Tennis Tour,” says KIA SA acting GM Christo Valentyn. “Beach Tennis has shown
significant growth in South Africa over the past year thanks to its fun, accessible format. Our local players are up there with the best in the world, and we look forward to seeing them engaging with top global talent.” At the heart of the action are the men’s and women’s draw of the ITF $35,000 tournament, which takes place on Central Beach from December 18-21 and is one of the six largest prize
money events on the tour. In the two weeks preceding the $35,000 Plett event, two prize money events were held in the Eastern Cape, starting with the ITF $3,000 at Kings Beach in Port Elizabeth (December 6-8), and the ITF $3,000 at Cape St Francis (December 10-12). From December 14-17, Central Beach will play host to the third ITF $3,000 affair as a warm-up tournament to the $35,000 event.