11 February

11 February 2015

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

FREE

Home grown!

Arty Plett local Simrha sent this picture of her boy Finn, dwarfed by giant veggies, and wrote: ‘This came out of our little Urban Farm, the biggest pumpkin weighing in at 34kg and the two smaller ones at 14kg and 11kg respectively. We plan to donate the big one to the Qolweni Soup Kitchen.’ Thanks for sharing your love of charitable gardening, guys!

Knysna decides dog destinies p3

Cilly will be sorely missed p5

Meet Kranshoek’s Fab Five p12

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

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CXPRESS

News & Views

11 February 2015

Don’t miss ace organist Martin Mans on his first-ever Knysna visit

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NYSNA Sedgefield Hospice is delighted to welcome for the first time ever world-renowned organist, choral conductor and composer Martin Mans, who will perform with Carina Bossenbroek - an exciting, young pan flutist from the Netherlands at Knysna Dutch Reformed Church at 5:30pm (due to a planned power outage) on February 16.

Mans started playing the organ at the age of seven. By the time he was 14, he had won various youth competitions and performed his first organ recital for the Nederlandse Christelijke Radio Vereniging. Since 1995, he has been the church organist at the Breepleinkerk in Rotterdam.

Mans also specialised in choral conducting and in his profession as organist and conductor has performed or cooperated in the production of more than 750 CD recordings.

He is famous for his or-

ORGAN MASTER, CHOIR CONNOISSEUR: Apart from excelling as organist, Martin Mans also specialises in choral conducting and has performed or cooperated in the production of more than 750 CD recordings

gan improvisations and was awarded a gold disc for his first improvisation CD, which seldom occurs in this specific music style.

Besides conducting three male choirs, Mans conducts a mixed choir and two ensembles. In January 2013 he founded Libertas, the Voice of Liberty - a male choir in

Ontario, Canada. He also writes music and arranges choir music.

As an international artist, he has performed in Europe, Canada, America, Australia, and South Africa.

Carina Bossenbroek began playing the pan flute at the age of nine and has been studying with the famous

pan flutist, Liselotte Rokyta, since she was 13. In 2010, Carina won the Young InterClassic Contest in the pan flute category and shortly thereafter released her debut album, Ugpucvkqp.

Mans, Bossenbroek and Rokyta recently performed in a concert together to great acclaim.

Catch this exciting international duo in action at Knysna DR Church at 5 Voortrekker Street on Monday February 16 at 5:30pm. Mans will play requests from the audience, which is sure to be a highlight of the evening.

Visit www.martinmans.nl and www.carinabossenbroek. nl for more information on the artists. Tickets will be on sale at Seeff Properties in Knysna (Thesen Harbour Town and Long Street, Knysna - 044 382 5919), Seeff Properties George (18 Fairview Office Park), and Seeff Properties in Main Street, Plettenberg Bay.

Legendary sculptor launches milestone book at Lookout gallery

T Our 10 000 free copies are distributed every Wednesday to a multitude of outlets along the Garden Route, with emphasis on Knysna and Plett and drop-offs at *Sedgefield Tourism *Caltex StarMart in Wilderness *Lynn Schroeder, Build It and other select outlets in George *Storms River Village and Bridge in Tsitsikamma - phone 044 533 1004 (o/h) with distribution queries.

If you’ve missed out on a hard copy, read the electronic version online at www.cxpress.co.za

O commemorate her extraordinary artistic achievements and influence on the South African art landscape a book, Ocwtggp"Swkp<" Ukzv{"[gctu"qh"Gzegnngpeg, has been written by Virginia Reed in collaboration with the artist.

Of significant social and academic value, the book boasts contributors like Dr Muller Ballot - an art historian who kindly offered to write the foreword - and Professor Elizabeth Rankin, art history lecturer and historian in New

TRIBUTE TO A BELOVED COMPANION: Maureen Quin was commissioned

by Ian Withers to do a portrait of his faithful Boerboel, Taska

Zealand, who penned the essay ‘Memories of Maureen, Moore and Modernism’.

Artist and PhD graduate Deon Lemmer contributed ‘An exploration of the developing artistic vision of Maureen Quin from the post-Paris period onwards’. Heilna du Plooy availed her poems on The Hunt Series for inclusion in the book, while Jay van Wyk recalls the beginnings of his Quin art collection.

In 1954, an enthusiastic young Maureen Quin be-

gan her career as a professional sculptress. Today, 60 years later, the fruits of her passion can be seen in the Quin Sculpture Garden and Gallery in Alexandria in the Eastern Cape.

Working from her studio in relative isolation and uninhibited by trends for the better part of 40 years, Maureen produces realistic work like commissions of Nelson Mandela (Rhodes University and the University of New South Wales in Australia), The Rearing Arab Stallion (Dubai), and The Cape Minstrels (Grand West Casino, Cape Town).

She is also the creator of immensely expressive work like The Hunt Series, which is a commentary on the ecological degradation perpetrated by man.

Visitors to the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown in the 1990s and 2000s will be familiar with her interactive exhibitions where over the 10-day period Maureen demonstrated her ability to create a sculpture from a model.

The original sculptures are exhibited in her garden along-

COLLECTABLE: The hard cover, full-colour book has 262 pages and costs R912

side a great many of her work, spanning the last six decades.

Last year has seen a series of retrospectives (an exhibition showcasing the most important work from the artist’s career) exhibited to great acclaim at various venues in SA. ‘Maureen Quin: the Retrospective Year’ curated by Virginia Reed, was initiated in Bloemfontein, the town of Maureen’s birth, at the Oliewenhuis Museum, and was shown at East London’s Ann Bryant Gallery. This year it will be exhibited at The GFI Gallery in Port Elizabeth and at UNISA in Pretoria.

Experience the Plett launch at Lookout Art Gallery on Saturday February 21 at 10:30am. Ugg" vjg" cfxgtv" qp" vjku"rcig"hqt"hwtvjgt"fgvcknu0

FRIENDS IN PEACE: In October 2012, Maureen was informed that she was the preferred artist to submit a sculpture of Nelson Mandela for the Garden of Iconic Peace Figures at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia - after the maquette was accepted by the art committee, Maureen proceeded to sculpt Mandela in clay one and a half life-size, and Bronze Age Art Foundry in Woodstock, Cape Town cast the sculpture into bronze

News & Views

11 February 2015

CXPRESS

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Verdict on Knysna’s dog bylaws informed by vicious attacks A series of pitbull attacks in Knysna over the past month has highlighted yet again the need for stricter dog control regulations - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports

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CTING Knysna municipal manager Grant Easton said the municipality was in the process of deliberating a new bylaw with strict regulations for owners of pitbulls and other breeds considered dangerous, and that a draft bylaw was discussed at a governance and economic development committee meeting yesterday.

This transpired after residents suggested changes to the municipality’s Keeping of Dogs bylaw when it came under review last year. The municipality then drafted several provisions, including that pitbull owners would not be allowed to walk their dogs in public areas, even on a leash.

If approved, owners will also be forced to apply to the municipality to retain their dogs.

Although the proposal have seen massive opposition - including a petition signed by more than 1,000 residents, dog owners and visitors - those who have experienced a dog attack firsthand believe stricter dog control is needed.

Glenda Britz is still haunted by the sight of her bloodied child who narrowly escaped death during a pitbull attack recently.

Her teenage son, Glenwil, was walking to Leisure Island from Hornlee to go swimming when a free-roaming pitbull charged him and his friends at Hunters Home. It took three adult men to pull the dog off the 16-year-old.

Glenda said when the four boys reached Fraser Street, the dog stormed the youngsters. “My son told the little ones with him to run while he threw a towel over the dog in an attempt to stop the attack. It didn’t work. When the dog got free, it started to attack my son,” she said.

Glenda added that the dog immediately went for her son’s face, but that he managed to cover his head with his arms.

SAVED BY BYSTANDERS: Glenda Britz’s 16-year-old son, Glenwil, narrowly escaped death when attacked by a free-roaming pitbull at Hunters Home while walking to Leisure Island, wounds on one arm being so severe that muscles were damaged and he now battles to move that arm - Photo: Supplied

“Although this probably saved his life, he suffered serious bite wounds to his arms.

His one arm was so badly injured that the muscles were damaged and he now battles to move his arm.”

The teenager also sustained bite wounds to both legs, his hip and chest and was admitted to hospital for treatment.

“Luckily there were people around and it took three men to get the dog off my son.

The men said that if they had not showed up at that exact moment, the attack would have been fatal.”

She added that a local security officer came to inform her of the attack. “I was shocked when I saw him for the first time. When they pulled the bandages back there was just blood and gaping wounds everywhere.”

The attack also highlighted another concern regarding dog attacks. Britz reported the matter to local police and a case was subsequent-

ly opened. “It was not easy opening a case as the officers I dealt with were not up to speed with the law regarding animal attacks.”

In terms of the Animal Matters Amendment Act (1993) it is an offence if, through negligence, one’s dog injures another person and, in terms of local bylaws, it is an offence to have a dog in a public place if it is not under the owner’s direct control.

Only after explaining this to police, the case was opened.

On January 24, another Knysna resident was mauled by a pitbull near the railway bridge off Waterfront Drive.

Bystanders said the bite missed the man’s jugular by just over a centimetre.

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CXPRESS

News & Views

11 February 2015

March to protest against bail for child sex offenders gets ‘ball rolling’ for the cause ‘This is only the beginning’, according to residents who participated in Saturday’s march against bail for suspected paedophiles, which was sparked after the successful bail application of a Plettenberg Bay computer engineer following his arrest last month over alleged links to a horrific baby pornography ring - YOLANDÉ STANDER was there

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BOUT 300 residents marched from KwaNokuthula to the Plett police station to hand over a petition to local police in an attempt to force lawmakers to revisit issues around bail for alleged paedophiles.

March organiser Yvette Wilschut said in cases where

suspects were caught “redhanded” and there was little doubt over their involvement, bail should not be granted.

“The suspect should be detained, otherwise he or she can warn others involved, destroy evidence or harm even more children,” she said.

“The march went well

and about 300 participated, which is great for Plett considering a lot of people were working and there was a big sports day at Wittedrift High School. We were happy as the atmosphere was serious, but great,” Wilschut added.

The march started at the Phakamisani Primary School

in KwaNokuthula at 10am.

From there it proceeded to Plett Secondary to include the New Horizons community and then joined up with Qolweni residents in Green Oak Road before heading to Plett central at Whalesong in Marine Way. From there, residents marched to the police station.

Most participants wore white along with a green heart representing both love and child protection.

Wilschut not only set up an online petition, which saw about 550 signatures by Tuesday, but also distributed several hard copies in and around Plett.

“The petitions are still flowing in. So this is just the start.

We mean to carry on until we are heard. We are a small town and have started the ball rolling, which will gain

momentum as it goes.”

She concluded that she was concerned about regulations around naming a suspect something she also hoped to change through this action.

“Not naming these suspects is silly. We need to know who they are in order to protect our children.”

In the meantime, the computer engineer has to report to the Plett police station twice a week as part of his bail conditions. He was released on R10,000 bail shortly after his arrest on January 13. He may also not leave Plett, visit his business premises or access a computer.

He will have to appear in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court on April 22 again.

Photo: Vanessa Brewer

SMALL TOWN, MASS ACTION: On Saturday, residents from all Bitou areas joined forces to show their discontent with a system that allows offenders in child sex cases to be released on bail

Diligent Mz du Toit stops ‘skelm’ Hats off to Ludi du Toit of New & Used in the basement at Plett’s Yellowwood Centre for foiling a would-be sneak thief - MIKE KANTEY penned this eyewitness report

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T around 12:15pm on a recent Tuesday, LeeAnn Andrew of Calpurnia in the gallery above New & Used (between LM in Plett and Village Bookshop) noticed a long and lanky sneak thief behind her counter in the shop and raised the alarm.

Dashing down the steps, the would-be thief ran past Ludi du Toit, who was first seen by the writer pounding up Crescent Street in hot pursuit.

The umgno then turned right into the Shoprite-Checkers

parking area, past the indifferent ‘guards’ - who were engaged in far more serious business of a talkative kind - and then right into Church Street, before bolting into the equally indifferent home of the ‘security agency’ based in the Lookout Centre.

Undetected and unremarked by officers attached to this company, the thief ran up the stairs, past Muffin Balajadia’s art gallery, and down the back stairs to The Print Shop, hoping to shake Ludi off. But to no avail.

When I arrived to assist, Ludi had the matter firmly in hand and promptly wrestled the errant athlete to the ground, watched somewhat indifferently by a uniformed guard from the self-same ‘guardians of Lookout’.

I then called the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) hotline on 082 251 8134 and in five minutes, a Smhart Alarms officer was at the scene to cuff the suspect, who was later escorted away by equally diligent members of Plett SAPS. Not much of a crime, you might argue, but three cheers to Ludi for bothering at all.

And pqi"flp"rkgr for Smhart Alarms and the PBCPA. With a few more such able residents (and more watchful and helpful guards from other private security companies), we may well move another small step closer to a crime-free Plett.

News & Views

11 February 2015

‘Mopie’ drowns after flight into Hobie surf

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N Friday night, CXPRESS received a report on the drowning of an unknown man behind the waves at Plett’s main beach shortly before 5pm. It reads, inter alia: “Lifeguards on duty at Central Beach and NSRI volunteers, who happened to be at the Plett sea rescue base at the time, noticed an adult

male appearing to be in difficulty in the surf in the vicinity of the backline breakers.

“The alarm was raised while lifeguards and NSRI rescue swimmers swam out to the man in an effort to assist him but on nearing the man, he disappeared under the water.”

According to the report, rescue swimmers conducted

free-dive searches to try and locate the man, while additional NSRI duty crew arriving at Station 14’s base launched the crafts Ray Farnham and Airlink Rescuer, as well as the Discovery rescue runner.

During an extensive search, the man was located and placed on a sea rescue craft before Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) efforts commenced.

To page 6

MASSIVE SEARCH: Three Station 14 NSRI craft, crew members and Plett lifeguards joined the efforts to rescue Mopie but finally his lifeless body was located too late for resuscitation

Willie loses his Cilly

On Sunday February 1, CXPRESS friend and famous educator of Formosa primary’s Elsen unit Leigh Dunn informed us that Lucille Leonard, pictured here with long-time companion Willie de Bruin, had passed away. ‘Cilly, as she was known by all and sundry, was one of Plett’s legendary hobos. She used to distribute the What’s New and made herself a car guard,’ wrote Leigh. What a shock! Cilly and Willie were as much part of the Plett scene as Freekie, and never was there a parade or procession where she wouldn’t be ‘voordanser van formaat’. We’ve had no luck in tracking down Willie to share our sincere sympathies, but his sister Katrina Bailey, chef at Sterreweg Centre in New Horizons, explains that Cilly’s TB finally got the better of her, so she went to Knysna Hospital on Wednesday January 28... never to return. ‘She died sometime that next Saturday, and no one knows when she was born, but she was probably 40-odd years old.’ Cilly will be sorely missed by everyone at CXPRESS.

CXPRESS

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CXPRESS

News & Views

11 February 2015

Young writers, poets to submit their entries for Knysna Literary Festival E NTRIES are now open for the Young Writers’ Competition - part of the sixth annual Knysna Literary Festival, presented by Pam Golding Properties Knysna.

Growing in popularity, the competition attracted a record number of nearly 200 entries in 2014 from students from Knysna, including Karatara and Sedgefield, and Plettenberg Bay. Under the title ‘Let your Imagination Take Flight’, the competition challenges learners to submit a poem or write a short story. Entries may be written in English, Afrikaans or isiXhosa. The competition will be judged by a panel of local teachers across two categories: Junior Learners (six to 12 years): Write a rqgo based

Mopie drowns From page 5 “The man was brought ashore and further extensive CPR carried out at the sea rescue station by the NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty doctor, NSRI medics and a private doctor who happened to be on the beach at the time.

“Finally, they were joined

by WC Government Health EMS paramedics but after all efforts to resuscitate him were exhausted, the doctors declared the man deceased.”

The report concludes that the unidentified victim is believed to be a local resident, aged in his early 20s.

“Police have opened an inquest docket and will attempt to locate and counsel family of the deceased man.”

Only by Monday did more facts emerge, namely that the poor soul who drowned was a well-known local vagrant known as ‘Mopie’, described as “slightly out of kilter” by a source who prefers to remain anonymous.

“Bugged by the fact that he seemed about to behave indecently in the presence of youngsters on the beach, a parent passing by told him he’d better be good or the police would be called.

“By pure coincidence, an SAPS vehicle arrived at the Hobie Beach parking lot at that very moment, and next thing he ran into the surf.

“Before any of the numerous people who would have been able to save him NSRI, Plett Lifesavers or the Nippers crews concluding their Friday training session - could react, he was pulled about 30m in by a rip-current and disappeared under the water,” the eyewitness told CXPRESS. We have not been able to ascertain his real name or track down his next of kin, believed to hail from New Horizons, by going to press, but our condolences go to all who knew and loved ‘Mopie’.

on ONE of the following subjects • Peace • My Song • Home Grown • The Champion • You’re only given a little spark of madness…

Senior Learners (aged 13 years to Matric): Write a ujqtv"uvqt{ based on ONE of the following subjects • Lost • Growing Pains • Captain, my Captain • One Chance • You’re only given a little spark of madness…

Entries close on February 20 so don’t delay, start writing at once. Winners will be announced on March 18 at Knysna Primary School from 1:30-2:30pm, when the first prize winner will receive a Canon Camera IXUS 132 Bundle (valued at R1000), while the runner up will receive a Phillips Go Gear MP3 Player (valued at R500).

Eqorgvkvkqp"twngu • Your name and age must be clearly written on your entry form and entry. The poem or short story should show your creativity and technical excellence with the language and respect for the theme.

The work must be original and written only by you.

• Entry form and entry must be handed in on A4 size paper. No faxes, CDs or emails will be accepted. Entries must be sent to or dropped off at the Knysna Pam Golding Properties office at 34 Main Street. Entrants must keep copies of their work, as entries, will not be returned.

Only one entry per person is allowed.

• Closing date for submissions is Friday February 20.

All winning entries will be published by The Knysna Literary Festival. By entering, you agree to this condition.

• A panel of judges will select the finalists from each category. The judges’ decision is final.

Entry forms are available at all regional schools. To request a form, or for more information, contact the Pam Golding Properties Knysna office on 044 382 5574. Visit www.knysnaliteraryfestival. co.za to learn more about the Knysna Literary Festival.

Cdqwv"vjg"Hguvkxcn The Knysna Literary Festival takes place from March 18-22 and annually attracts thousands of literary enthusiasts to take part in its unique literary experience, including the sellout Delicious Word Journey and appearances by the likes of Zapiro, PJ Powers, Mandy Weiner, and Prof Jonathan Jansen, among many others.

The diverse programme includes small-group workshops, larger-group presentations, informal chats with authors and the opportunity to experience some of Knysna’s most exclusive private properties with a dash of cuisine.

Ticket prices vary by event.

Go to www.knysnaliterary festival.co.za for the full programme of events.

News & Views

11 February 2015

CXPRESS

Local lions raise awareness of unethical wild cat practices in SA La Luna

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Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

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ENIKWA Wildlife Awareness Centre in Plett recently announced the introduction of lions as a new species to the centre, in order to raise awareness about South Africa’s indigenous wild cats and other animals facing human/wildlife conflict.

Makulu and Kuluma were welcomed as ambassador animals to Tenikwa, joining other cats that reach out to thousands of people visiting the centre annually.

The decision to introduce lions is in keeping with the objectives of the centre, sup-

ported by feedback from numerous visitors, and creates the opportunity to use Tenikwa as platform to highlight issues surrounding the unethical use of lions for the cub petting and canned hunting industry.

The increasing popularity

Can hunt? No can do! Hear all about it at Emily Moon next Thursday...

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DEN to Addo hosts a presentation on Predator Breeding and Canned Hunting on February 19 at Emily Moon at 7pm.

Between 7,000 and 8,000 predators are currently being kept in cages and small enclosures countrywide. Are these facilities rehabilitation

centres, sanctuaries or conservation projects as they all claim to be, or are we looking at one of South Africa’s biggest wildlife cons?

Eden to Addo director Ian Michler has been investigating and reporting on these practices for over 15 years and will explain the nature

and size of what has become an immensely lucrative industry. There will also be a presentation on Biomimicry and Corridors by invited guest from Mexico City.

Visit www.edentoaddo. co.za or email admin@ edentoaddo.co.za for more information.

The Yard - realm of collective reflections, with great food and collectables, too

BUY A DONKEY: Nope, you can’t really purchase that cutie peeping in at the back door of Willie and his crew’s Yard Café but you will say ‘thank you very much’ for spreading this news of the latest greatest chill-and-shop spot in Plett once you’ve parked off at The Yard

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HE Yard is conveniently situated in the heart of Piesang Valley. A mere three-minute drive from Plett CBD, it offers a relaxing fun family farm environment.

It is the home of Cheveral Stables, where Fran offers pony rides, lessons and livery. Bring the kids to play

with the miniature horses or feed the chickens while enjoying something delicious from The Yard Café’s menu.

The unique shop offers antiques and collectables, home-made products, and restored furniture. Always worth a browse, it might just produce that sought after

little treasure that’s evaded you for years. Willie Gouws and his crew also buy and restore vintage and antique collectable pieces.

All day breakfast is served from 9am during weekdays and from 8am on weekends.

Also on offer are smoothies, cappuccinos, pancakes, cakes and scrumptious lunches with that organic farm touch.

Says Willie: “We identify with the idea that life is a journey, not a race. How easily we forget why we live in Plettenberg Bay. The Yard is one of those hideouts that will refresh the memory - truly a realm of collective reflections.”

Find The Yard’s entrance opposite Plett Vet Clinic on Piesang Valley Road. For functions or pony parties, call Willie on 082 534 0360 or Fran on 072 220 6664.

Trading hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 4:30pm, and from 8am to 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

of South Africa as volunteer destination also necessitates the fingering of certain facilities that acquire cubs for volunteers to raise, but once they outgrow their usefulness, these lions are hunted and substituted by new cubs to keep the volunteers satisfied with their wildlife experience.

Tenikwa is visited by approximately 32,000 tourists annually and provides an ideal platform to raise topical issues such as these.

Like all the other cats at Tenikwa used for public awareness, captive-bred lions will be hand-raised by the owners and staff before being released into a large enclosure.

An elevated 200m walkway will allow guides and visitors to view the lions and engage in discussion during tours.

There will be no guest-animal contact and the lions will not be allowed to breed. They will remain at Tenikwa for their natural life and there are no plans to introduce new lions.

Tenikwa highlights conservation issues facing South African wildlife and uses gate-takings to fund an active wildlife rehabilitation programme, returning animals to the wild where they belong.

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CXPRESS

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11 February 2015

I finally got around to reading the dictionary. Turns out the zebra did it...

Actual notes in an SA hospital register...

• The patient refused autopsy.

• The patient has no previous history of suicides.

• Patient has left white blood cells at another hospital.

• Patient’s medical history has been remarkably insignificant with only an 18kg weight gain in the past three days.

• She has no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states she was very hot in bed last night.

• Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.

• On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it disappeared.

• The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also

appears to be depressed.

• The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.

• Discharge status: Alive, but without my permission.

• Healthy-appearing decrepit 69-year-old male, mentally alert, but forgetful.

• Patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.

• She is numb from her toes down.

• The skin was moist and dry.

• Occasional, constant infrequent headaches.

• Patient was very alert and unresponsive.

• She stated that she had been constipated for most of her

life, until she got a divorce.

• I saw your patient today, who is still under our car for physical therapy.

• Examination of genitalia reveals that he is circus sized.

• The lab test indicated abnor-

mal lover function.

• Skin: somewhat pale but present.

• The pelvic exam will be done later on the floor.

• Patient has two teenage kids, but no other abnormalities.

It is only when a mosquito lands on a sensitive body part that you realise:

The penalties of Christmas PAUL DEANS shared this epic tale of post-seasonal suffering Sunday night and I’ve just arrived No food for a week Will I get out of here alive?

A very strange crowd Seeking the cure Of everlasting weight Hoping to leave here With hips that are slim and straight Lemon water and one corn cob Why didn’t I stop at the pub?

Steak and kidney pie Gravy and mash That’s what I call proper grub How on earth am I going to last seven days?

Am I going to break a lifetime of bad ways?

Why didn’t I rather buy a pair of Victorian stays?

Monday morning and a cup of Epsom salts Which really lead to appalling results Not safe to wander too far from the loo In case you have the urgent need to poo Now the second day begins Surrounded by would-be super-thins Massage, steam baths and aquabatics To help drive the thought of food from memory’s attic But it is the rumble of empty tums Driving thoughts back

to breakfast’s non-existent crumbs It is day three Lemon juice and water for breakfast and for tea Will nothing stop the everlasting flow of pee?

One slim slice of water melon for lunch Pink and glistening on the plate All this suffering to try and get a date It’s Thursday morning on day four Last night we ran through every recipe Every restaurant and what we ate The kilos of gain that lead us to our fate Of being here...

Friday and off to the pool with a noodle between my legs Dreams of pasta and Chinese soup There ain’t no doubt I’m hitting the dregs Of my willpower Ah well, into the loo and a cold shower Saturday morning heading for the dreaded scale Will it be shouts of joy or long drawn-out wail?

Thinned down stomach Slender hips Can’t wait to get stuck into vinegar and salted hot-hot slap chips

There is always a way to solve problems without using violence...

11 February 2015

IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE...

Internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Guy Buttery, above, will perform with local jazz legend Martin Wolfaardt on February 14 as part of his national tour, ‘The Gathering Fiction’. This will be the first time that Guy and Martin join their formidable musical forces on stage, creating a rare opportunity to witness their shared passion for music in what promises to be a magical musical synergy. This celebration of love and feast for the senses takes place at Bocca Dolce Coffee Shop - an organic farm in Wittedrift owned by passionate vegan farmer and restaurateur, Lello Incendiario. So guests will enjoy an Organic Vegan Buffet followed by a musical performance extraordinaire. Although no alcohol is served at Bocca Dolce, patrons are encouraged to bring their favourite wine to pair with the vegan feast. Tickets at R350 per person are limited and include dinner (7pm) and the show (8:30). Call 074 113 0692 or email candiceludick@gmail.com for more info and to book. Tickets are also available directly from Bocca Dolce on Quarry Lake Estate or from Peta Wells Goldsmith at The Upper Deck.

CXPRESS ADIEU, MRS M: Plett doyenne and internationally celebrated businesswoman Liz McGrath passed away on January 24 after a short illness. This, the last photo of her featured in CXPRESS, was taken when one of her three prestigious Relais & Châteaux hotels, The Plettenberg, reopened for business in September 2013.

A funeral service took place at Rosebank Catholic Church in Johannesburg on January 31, and a memorial service at St Bernard Catholic Church in Cape Town on February 3. Tributes poured in from all over the world - for one of the most moving of these, visit www. eatout.co.za and read ‘Liz McGrath passes away’ posted by Katharine Jacobs on January 28.

Photo: Julia Pinheiro Franco

Social Scene

Photo: Christy Strever - ShowMe Plett

DINERS RAISE R25K IN THE BAY: From left, Karen Spurrier and Rose Grundlingh of StreetSmart Plett, with Melanie Burke and Nils Heckscher of StreetSmart SA, show off the fat cheque handed to Masizame at The Fat Fish on January 29. Visit www.cxpress. co.za to read the full story.

50 GOLDEN YEARS FOR MOM OF MANY: Phathiswa Gcabayi of KwaNokuthula sent this pics and wrote: ‘On January 31, we celebrated my mother Celia’s 50th birthday at Simunye Community Hall. I planned a surprise party for her with the help of our friends, to celebrate her life, hard work and dedication, and for being an excellent mother not only to her own children, but also to the kids in her care at New Beginnings Place of Safety in KwaNokuthula.’ Phathiswa said that Celia, at centre in the pic, could not stop smiling the entire evening, and she thanked everyone who attended the party and those who helped organising the wonderful occasion. Of the 11 New Beginnings kids who also call Celia ‘Mom’, eight are learners at Phakamisani Primary and three attend Plett Christian School. Any donations towards the centre, located at 6 Ngcabanga Street in KwaNokuthula, will be put to extremely good use. Pop in or phone Celia on 073 110 7014.

People, places & events

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CXPRESS

11 February 2015

Classifieds

On the Soapbox

11 February 2015

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

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

The very expensive joys of boating...

My latest tally to stay afloat on Knysna’s estuary reads thus: • Survey R400 • SANParks permit (40HP) R440 + SANParks jetty levy R778 = R,1218 • Fire extinguisher R175 • Trailer licence R176 • Belvidere jetty levy R400 • Total: R2,369 - and that’s before it enters the water!

As there are thousands of boats and jetties on the Knysna estuary, it is apparent that the Parks Board makes millions.

It should be remembered that the supervision of the estuary was entrusted to the National Parks Board by Knysna Municipality; that it is NOT a National Park and that these fees should not be part of SANParks national budget, but should be for the exclusive welfare and maintenance of Knysna’s estuary.

I can understand the anger of boat owners at the massive increase in the permit fees levied by SANParks, which in my case tripled from R141 to R440.

Are the people at SANParks any different to the Marikana miners in their monetary demands?

Ft"OL"Dktf."Mp{upc C"rtguu"tgngcug"qp"vjg" uwdlgev."gzegtrvu"qh"yjkej" hgcvwtg"dgnqy."ycu"tgegkxgf" htqo"vjg"UCPRctmu"Mp{upc" qhhkeg"qp"Hgdtwct{"5< The recent increase in activity tariffs in the GRNP was informed by the National

Conservation Fee Policy of SANParks (2011). This policy was established to guide the organisation based on recommendations made by McKinsey Business Consultants.

The guideline is to implement a system of differential pricing (market related) for entry into all parks.

Subsequent to complaints and concerns from boat and vessel owners, Garden Route National Park (GRNP) adjusted its permit tariffs with those of West Coast National Park. This is a once-off annual adjustment increase and from 2016, increases will be based on the consumer index.

The categories depicted in the old brochure were adjusted to new ones that align with the West Coast National Park. One permit provides access to all water bodies in GRNP (e.g. Swartvlei, Knysna estuary, Nature’s Valley estuary, etc.).

Hqt"dqcv"cpf"xguugn"rgtokvu GRNP was guided by Section 23 of the Regulations for the Proper Administration of the Knysna Protected Environment. This is a clause in the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (2003). It stipulates that no person may keep or operate any vessel in the water area without: (a) A vessel permit issued by the management authority or delegated agent; (b) Payment of the necessary fees; and (c) Where necessary, being in possession of (i) a certifi-

Not all body stress releasers out to make a buck I would like to respond to the letter ‘Yes, Plett is a rip-off’ in CXPRESS of January 21 [turn to page 11 of that issue at www.cxpress.co.za].

It is with great dismay that I read Capetonian Lynette Bell’s letter in which she claimed that her daughter paid “more than exorbitant prices” for a Body Stress Release session, and continued to say that she had been ripped off by three different service providers in Plett.

I have been a Body Stress Release (BSR) practitioner in Plett for the past nine years.

I have also been practising BSR in Knysna for 13 years.

During all this time, I have provided a service that is reasonably priced.

Currently, I charge R260 for a first visit and R240 for subsequent visits. I can emphatically state that I have never increased my rates for any visitor, be it local or international.

I cannot, however, comment on the rates charged by any other BSR practitioner in the area. (I charge the same rates in Knysna.)

I am very proud to be associated with this complementary health technique.

Not only has it benefitted thousands of clients here and abroad, but it was actually developed in South Africa, by South Africans. Please visit www.bodystressrelease.co.za for more information.

Clients how have consulted me subsequent to Mrs Bell’s letter responded with shock.

BRS is my livelihood and a letter such as Mrs Bell’s may inadvertently have a negative effect on not only me, but other BSR practitioners.

If Mrs Bell’s daughter truly feels that she has been ripped off by a BSR practitioner, I would urge her to take up the matter with the BSR Association on 072 174 6167. It must, however, be noted that the Association does not fix rates. Practitioners can charge whatever is reasonable for their area.

But I simply couldn’t stand back while inadvertently being slated as a rip-off artist. I have worked long and hard in this community.

Finally, I would like to assure Plett and Knysna residents that their wellbeing is my absolute priority.

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cate of competence and (ii) a certificate of fitness, issued in terms of the National Small Vessel Safety Regulations 2007.

Rgpukqpgtu SANParks offers discounts on normal tariffs to persons who are 60 and above provided the reservation is made in the name of the qualifying

person. Social pensioners are those receiving old age, family and disability allowances as well as blind persons.

Visit www.sanparks.org/ docs/tourism_tariffs/pensioner_discount2015.pdf for details on pensioner discounts applicable in the Tsitsikamma and Wilderness sections of GRNP.

Moenie van Pinetrees se mense vergeet tot stemtyd nie, asseblief Ek is tans ‘n inwoner van Plet - Pinetrees in New Horizons, om presies te wees. Die omstandighede waarin ons woon is skaamtelik.

Daar is slegs vier toilette in ons buurt, waar daar omtrent 100 mense in ujcemu woon, en dit word toegesluit. As ons ‘n behoefte het vir die toilet moet ons dus die pot vat en in die ujcem klaarmaak. Mense gooi sommer piepotte voor die deur uit en as dit warm raak ruik dit verskriklik, en veroorsaak siektes.

Of ons gooi die uitlatings in die bos, wat beteken dat die vullis oral ophoop. Net waar jy kyk lê daar drek, selfs tussen die ujcemu. Die bosse wat aan die ujcemu grens is vol dik, lang slange wat gereeld uitkruip - en hier woon kinders en mense wat nie kan loop nie!

Die ujcemu staan reeds hier vir omtrent 10 jaar en is nog nooit ge-writcfg nie. Hulle is vrot en die reën kom in, sowel as peste van buite af. ‘n Swart skerpioen het onlangs teen my muur gesit, en die padda’s en oorkruipers is oral.

As die reën kom moet ons al begin yqtt{, want ons weet die plek gaan binnekort onder water wees. My kinders is klein en hulle word siek van die nattigheid. Ons het al gekla by Bitou Munisipaliteit maar hulle steur hul niks.

Die vrou langs my het TB opgedoen as gevolg van die kondisie waarin haar ujcem is.

Ons het geen privaatheid nie - almal hoor wat in jou ujcem aangaan, so dun is die mure.

Net laas week Woensdag het daar ‘n yslike geel en swart slang uit die bos geseil tot in die paadjie waar langs die kinders skooltoe loop in die oggend, so die ouers is baie ge-yqttkgf.

My skoonma is fkucdngf en kannie loop nie. Sy kannie eers by die kliniek uitkom

nie, want hier is dit nie yjggn/ ejckt/htkgpfn{ nie. Toe ek dit vir die munisipaliteit noem, vra hulle of ons haar nie na die motor toe kan dra nie.

Hoe kan ons haar dra? Sy is swaar en daai paadjie wat ons op loop is baie sleg ingeval.

Dis ‘n skande, die manier wat Bitou Munisipaliteit mense in tydelike wonings laat bly, en die kanse om ‘n huis te kry is besonder skraal.

As jy intrek moet jy nog jou eie vensters en deure koop, en baie mense kry swaar.

Ons het nie eens krag nie - ons trek krag van pgkij/ dqwtu - want as jy ‘n kragboks koop kos dit R350 vir een. Baie inwoners kry maar hulle ‘Allpay’.

Ons vra dat die burgemeester en gesondheidsinspekteer moet kom kyk wat aangaan, want onse gesondheid is in gevaar hier in Pinetrees Wyk 3. En stuur asseblief ook die raadslid vir Wyk 3 om te kom kyk.

Al wat ons wil hê is dat Bitou Munisipaliteit asseblief vir ons ordentlike nuwe ujcemu moet bou met vensters en deure. Want as jy as persoon nie kwalifiseer vir ‘n huis nie, dan moet jy nog vir die volgende vyf jaar soos ‘n vark bly.

Naby stemtyd, dan weet hulle gou om nader te kom met ‘n klomp leë beloftes.

Onse stemme het hulle daarbo gekry waar hulle nou sit, maar hulle vergeet van ons hieronder wat so swaarkry.

Die mense van ander plekke kry voor onse mense huise.

Mense wat al 30 jaar lank op die waglys is, kry niks nie.

Dis baie onregverdig - ons is almal mense en verdien om soos mense behandel te word, ryk of arm.

Want dieselfde bloed wat deur my are vloei, vloei deur hulle s’n ook.

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CXPRESS

Sport & Adventure

11 February 2015

Kranshoek kids show their mettle during 2015’s first Nippers meet

T

HE last weekend of January saw Central Beach covered in the colours of four different Nippers clubs, when Plett Surf Lifesaving hosted teams from East London and Port Elizabeth’s Summer Strand and King’s Beach, during the year’s first Nippers Carnival.

The East-Londoners arrived en masse, winning the friendly by a single point that put the hosts in second place, followed by the two PE clubs - congrats to the red-andblacks for their determined effort and great iggu.

Apart from excellent vibes on the beach and all-round camaraderie these meets are known for, one thing that all involved will remember about the weekend is the freezing water temperature, hovering

between 12 and 14-degrees C throughout the event.

But this hardly deterred these bold youngsters to compete in the swimming, boarding and relay events necessitating their emersion in the icy soup. Kudos are due, too, to the coaches, marshals and parents who braved the glacial surf in the line of Nippers duty.

Another factor that marked the occasion was the firsttime participation of a fivestrong Nippers Development Team, all of them students of Kranshoek Primary and all of them impressing with their efforts on the beach and in the water.

Siblings Ellen and Robert Kleinsmidt delivered the biggest surprise of the tournament, both raking in firsts in

flags and sprints, both securing first places for their sprint relay teams, and finishing third and fourth respectively in the long run.

The rest of the team - Marcell Patterson, Nicole Jacobs and Celine Olivier - also did very well, with third, fourth and fifth places in various disciplines on the beach, thus contributing points for Plett Surf.

Making these accomplishments all the more impressive is the fact that a few months ago, none of them had any of the skills required to partake in a tournament like the recent carnival.

But Chas Frazer, experienced swimming coach and Plett Lifesavers commodore, had dreamed of starting such a development team. As luck would have it, Plett Surf’s Nippers Club shared the same vision of starting an integrated programme.

The Born in Africa team, incidentally, has been equipping their charges with water awareness skills for the past

FAST AS A RINKHALS: Robert Kleinsmidt dashes for a flag to claim first place

FAB FIVE: The Nippers Development Team of, from left, Nicole Jacobs, Celine Olivier, Robert & Ellen Kleinsmidt, and Marcell Patterson during the Easter Cape Friendly carnival during which they all excelled - Photos: Isabelle Brink

few years, and in the process saw the potential of many BIA children to become great swimmers.

Says Born in Africa director Isabelle Brink: “We all joined forces and the dream started taking shape halfway through October 2014. The five selected children embarked on an intensive course with Chas, swimming four times a week.

“During their first lesson,

Nothing is hotter than Oudtshoorn asphalt...

This able group of biathletes from Plettenberg Bay represented South Western Districts in a sizzling hot Oudtshoorn during the Cango Caves Interprovincial Champs on January 31 - from left at back are Isabelle Brink (veteran), Lara Schlechter (girls U-15), Marius Schlechter (veteran), Gustav Schlechter (boys U-13) and Dylan van Wyk (boys U-19), with Henri van Huyssteen (boys U-11), Sebastian Brink (boys U-11) and Berenice Chabanel (girls U-11) in front. It was also the birthday of ‘Sebi’, as the young Brink is known by all, who celebrated by completing both his 800m run and 50m swim in a brilliant time.

Congratulations to y’all for flying the Plett flag high.

THE COMMODORE: Chas Frazer and some of his Plett lifeguards do a demonstration on water safety at Kranshoek Primary School

they could only swim 10 metres or so. But with much determination they improved weekly, and finally they all passed their 400-metre swimming test dgnqy the prescribed time!”

The fab five have also been taking part in Nippers practice every Friday, learning the ropes of swimming in the ocean, using body-boards and Malibus, rehearsing the fast turns required for flags and generally improving their fitness level.

A new world opened for the members of Plett’s Nippers Development Team and more good news is that another eight children were se-

lected in January to make the team even stronger.

Apart from the facilitation of this process by Chas and the Born in Africa team, Louise Auersperg’s Adopt a Swimmer programme deserves a big mention for teaching four of the five Kranshoek kids about water awareness skills.

The team thanks Born in Africa for starting the programme and for ongoing support, as well as Plett Surf and Life-saving Western Cape for donations.

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