11 July 2018

11 July 2018

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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Forest magic Many a visitor experienced the wonders of our neck of the woods during last week’s FNB Forest Family Hikes, which allowed people to dress up and discover the magic of one of the few remaining pockets of indigenous forest in Harkerville. Part of the Oyster Fest line-up, forest hikers spotted rare fauna and flora while learning about the area’s ecological importance. Best news now for holidaymakers is that these tracks are there for the taking all year round, so don’t despair if you’ve missed out on our town’s winter festivals, ‘coz there’s much to see and do before it’s back to school next week.

Housing woes addressed

Dom’s tale of de-franchising

A word with BIG5 winners

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

11 July 2018

Forced removals in Plett: memories shared at Van Plettenberg historians’ next gathering HE Van Plettenberg Historical Society is delighted to host local family historian Leigh Michael Dunn, who will be talking about the eviction of families classified as “coloured” from the centre of Plettenberg Bay in the previous century.

During his talk at Plett Angling Club tomorrow evening, he will explain how they were moved under the infamous Group Areas Act (Act No. 41 of 27 April 1950), and share a few related anecdotes.

Leigh will talk with specific reference to the original Harker and Dunn families of Harkerville and Plettenberg Bay, and their rich contribution to the development of the town.

A point in case is that these families were very prominent in Plett and their weddings were huge celebrations, recorded by the local press.

The home of Leigh’s mother, Bertha, became the town’s first tourism office, and was officially opened by then mayor Paul Scheepers on December 9, 1991. The Dunn and Harker families were honoured guests.

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1948 STYLE: The Dunn and Harker families enjoy a picnic at Robberg

“Many coloured families were uprooted after living such peaceful and happy lives for decades in our beautiful bay. Some of the memories of my immediate family, as well as stories of other colourful families around town, such as the George Langdown clan, will come to life at the Angling Club,” says Leigh.

His family is in possession of many historical artefacts, family heirlooms, documents and original newspaper articles and photos of the old Plett, and

Leigh is always eager to share his information through presentations or even for publication.

Many of the original photo-

graphs of Leigh’s father, Mac, had been donated to local photographer Ray Friedman and Plett historian Derek Frielinghaus, and are still seen today in the new Melvilles Spar, adjacent to the original Dunn family property.

So July 12 will be an evening in the history of Plett not to be missed. Given the keen interest in the subject, and the limited seating available, pre-booking is essential. Plett Angling Club is located on the west bank of Keurbooms River.

The talk starts at 5:30 for 6pm and entrance is R30 per person. Call the Society’s Mike Kantey on 072 628 5131 and see the notice on page 3 for further information.

HOUSE-PROUD: Bertha Dunn in her huge garden at Kloof Street which became Plett’s first tourism office in 1991, but was demolished to build the Mellville’s Corner parking garage in 1999

BEFORE THE FORCED MOVE: The joyful Dunns in front of their Kloof Street home in 1953, before the family had to leave because of the Group Areas Act of 1950

COLOURFUL: A more recent photo of Victoria Cottage in Kloof Street

NEWS & VIEWS

11 July 2018

CXPRESS

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National and provincial leaders hear out Bitou’s housing and land woes Following recent housing protests that brought Plett to a near standstill, Bitou communities had the opportunity last week to voice their concerns to various high ranking politicians - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports MONG those who visited the Garden Route on July 5 and 6 were Human Settlements minister Nomaindia Mfeketo and Western Cape Human Settlements MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela.

During their time in Plettenberg Bay the two, along with Bitou mayor Peter Lobese and Eden mayor Memory Booysen, embarked on various site visits for potential housing developments and held meetings with affected communities.

During these meetings held in Kurland Village in The Crags and New Horizons - residents highlighted several concerns including corruption in the housing allocation process, issues around the availability of land, and the time it takes to get a housing development off the ground.

One of the most contentious issues discussed was that of the area known as Portion 20 in New Horizons.

According to residents this land, earmarked for

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about 450 units, had been purchased several years ago but had not yet been developed, despite the need for more than 950 houses in New Horizons.

“We have residents who are 40 or 50 years old living in shacks in people’s backyards. When will you guys start developing Portion 20? We don’t want you to wait to purchase more land.

“We want you to build the 450 structures earmarked for the area so that our people can start moving out of their shacks and into their houses,” said New Horizons Concerned Residents Forum member Granville Neldritt.

Lobese and Madikizela explained that government was in the process of purchasing surrounding land.

They added that they did not want to embark on the project in “bits and pieces” and therefore would only start development once all the land had been acquired.

Lobese said the hold-up with the purchase of the remainder of land involved

issues between the buyer and the seller.

He explained that the seller wanted more for the land than what government was willing to pay.

“If we don’t reach an agreement with the seller we will expropriate that land.

We will take it without compensation,” Lobese said.

While the owners of the land attended the meeting, they were not allowed to address the community and the politicians.

One of the owners, Angus Greig, however said afterwards that he believed the reason they were not allowed to speak was that the politicians were “frightened” about what they would say.

He said Bitou Municipality had not yet indicated in writing that they wanted to purchase the land, despite the fact that the process had started about five years ago.

He added that they also had not yet received valuations for the land.

About issues in The Crags, Mfeketo said they had iden-

ROOT IT OUT: Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela said he could not dismiss claims of corruption, but that his department was doing everything in its power to eradicate the problem

tified a piece of land for housing development, but that the property belonged to the Department of Rural Development. Representatives of this department are scheduled to visit Bitou on Thursday July 12 to discuss the way forward.

Mfeketo added that should this land be developed, they

THE BIG ISSUE: Human Settlements minister Nomaindia Mfeketo said job creation should go hand in hand with land development in The Crags, noting that the large number of residents present at the day-time meeting pointed to unemployment being “a big issue”

wanted to focus on job creation too. “Seeing so many people at this meeting at this time of day, shows me that unemployment is a big issue,” Mfeketo said.

About corruption, Madikizela said he could not dismiss the claims, but that his department was doing all they could to eradi-

cate the problem.

• Ministers Mfeketo and Madikizela also handed over two houses in partnership with the Gift of the Givers to elderly residents of Khayalethu in Knysna on Friday July 6.

(As this edition went to print, the Plett N2 was once again closed due to riots.)

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

11 July 2018

Operation Squeeze the Space results appreciation to all memin Knysna arrests bers involved and said that OCAL police arrested 12 suspects as part of Operation Squeeze the Space during the early morning hours of July 5.

The operation was conducted by the Knysna SAPS crime prevention unit, Eden Cluster crime combat team and Tsitsikamma K9 unit, and included a legallyauthorised cordon off and search warrant in Hamilton Street, Hornlee. It also traced wanted suspects while executing search and seizures at crime hotspots.

A total of eight suspects were arrested for drug-related offences and four on outstanding warrants of arrest. The police confiscated 25 Mandrax tablets, 60 dagga “stoppe”, 3.9g of Tik, and an undisclosed amount of cash during the

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raid. Suspects aged 15 to 55 appeared in the Knysna magistrates court on Friday.

Acting station commander of Knysna SAPS lieutenant colonel Patrick Gogwana, expressed his

drugs remained a major crime contributor.

“Similar operations will continue in our efforts to ensure the safety of all inhabitants of the Knysna policing precinct,” he said.

SEIZE THE DRUGS: Members of the police during the search and seizure operation at Knysna taxi rank

Could subsidies take the pressure off Stuart Murray transport costs?

HE wheels of government grind slowly, as we know, but our elected rulers must quickly take drastic measures to ease the fuel price burden. Realistically, motorists are only one collective victim of rising oil imports; the entire economy is under strain.

Fuel costs are only one issue besetting working South Africans. Inflation is rising, GDP is falling, the rand is taking a beating, employment figures continue to fall, and violent protests are increasing countrywide.

Worst of all, Cyrilmania is beginning to fade.

Investec last week put our housekeeping woes into perspective, underlining the devastating deterioration of South Africa’s competitiveness and institutional strengths and credit ratings, while noting: “The governance of the SOEs and state institutions deteriorated substantially over the past several years, as did the health of government finances.

“Real household income growth and the efficacy of corporate boards (hello Steinhoff) also deteriorated and corruption proliferated.”

The contraction of GDP growth, industrial production and business confidence in general - plus substantial consumer tax increases - have all contributed to a slump in consumer confidence.

Absa too has added its voice to the weakening business and general economic scenario, reporting a marked decline in the PMIndex tracking anticipated business conditions. The index declined for a fourth consecutive month to 55.7 in June.

“This,” says Absa, “is a staggering 23.4 points below the 79.1 recorded in February.” Employment too has

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continued to slide, falling a further 3.2 points in June.

The South African consumer is taking a beating on all counts as the purchasing power of the rand in our pockets continues to erode.

The steady increase in fuel costs is, in its way, another form of taxation - and one that is almost impossible to offset. Yet, SA already bears the 10th highest tax-toGDP burden in the world.

We haven’t always been in this mess. After 1994, when South Africa became a democracy, the country enjoyed an 18-year period of growth, including strong foreign exchange reserves and controlled inflation.

Our credit ratings improved steadily with the three leading ratings agencies, peaking at A3 in 2009. Today we are facing junkdom.

It is sometimes difficult to grasp the wide ranging effects of rising energy costs, such as oil-based petroleum, in a modern society. In SA with its huge land mass, transportation is a major player. Every price increase hurts every pocket.

In an article in CXPRESS after the previous fuel price hike, I suggested the government drop the Fuel Price Levy and the Road Accident Fund, which together add more than R5 to each litre of petrol/diesel we buy. I argue these measures once again, for the following reasons: • The Fuel Price Levy has no common denominator with transportation of any kind. The cash - approaching R4 a litre at the pump - goes into the Treasury.

• The Road Accident Fund has been looted to the extent that it is broke.

The fund’s financials have been a sorry mess for years and last year it suffered a R34.7bn loss. The fund collected R33.3bn in revenues

from fuel levies but spent R68-million.

Accusations of corruption and maladministration have beset the fund’s management over the years, and doubtful “tender” deals are being “investigated”. A couple of weeks ago, Transport minister Blade Nzimande dissolved the fund’s board because of “dysfunction” and “serious divisions”.

The net result of this woeful mismanagement is that the fund has been struggling to pay road accident victims and their legal representatives. This has led to extended court costs.

The fund’s parlous state gives rise to the simple question: “Why do we have a public fund for road accident victims at all? Why not for the victims of other common accidents or incidents - such as drowning, violence, even falling off bar stools?

One answer to the problem could be to subsidise fuel. But, worldwide, countries which in the past have subsidised petroleum products are changing policies.

Egypt, for example, has announced that such subsidies will end next year.

Petroleum minister Tariq al-Malla explained that the subsidies were introduced to help the poor, but the end result was that the rich benefitted.

The G7 countries - the UK, United States, Germany, France, Canada, Italy, and Japan - have pledged to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies. So subsidies appear to be out.

Any ideas?

• Stuart Murray (stuartmurray758@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 Plett.

NEWS & VIEWS

11 July 2018

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CXPRESS

Rare vessel seen snailing down Garden Route coast Correspondent BOB HOPKIN reports on an unusual sighting off the Southern Cape shores CCUSTOMED to little or no marine sightings off the Garden Route coast apart from dolphins, whales (in season), and the occasional small fishing boat, local residents were surprised to see a massive vessel slowly traversing the horizon on Monday July 2.

Its unusual shape and snail-like pace suggested it could either be a very slow container ship, or a drilling platform under tow. The truth, however, is much more fascinating.

The vessel in question, Boka Vanguard, turned out to be one of the largest

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and most specialised ships to venture into our waters.

Described by her owners - the Netherlands-based Royal Boskalis dredging and heavy-lift company - as a semi-submersible heavy transport vessel, her purpose in life is to act as a mobile, floating dry dock.

Built in Korea in 2011 at a cost of $240-million, she is used primarily to transport oil-drilling rigs around the world, but can serve other purposes where her ability to partially submerge and pass under cargo means she can be used to carry damaged or disabled ships to

dockyards for repair.

According to the author’s Marine Radar app, the voyage that saw her passing close to the Southern African coast began at the port of Qingdao in China on May 31, and her destination is Rio de Janeiro.

Boka Vanguard appeared to be carrying a presumablydisabled, large freighter vessel on her submerged deck.

She has the capacity to carry a maximum of 110,000 tons at up to 13 knots, although, when passing the Garden Route, she was cruising along at a mere 4 knots against a stiff headwind.

EN GUARD: The recently-spotted Boka Vanguard is one of the largest and most specialised ships to venture into South African waters - Photo: boskalis.com

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Plett Arts Fest reaches new heights Words & photo: Timothy Twidle

OW in its fourth year, the Plett Arts Festival from June 23 to July 8 was a resounding success.

The event reached new heights in terms of the sheer breadth, scope and diversity of the 48 separate offerings that left aficionados of the arts spoilt for choice.

Six exhibitions of fine art, each of which enjoyed a well-attended opening, were part of the line-up, along with a number of art demonstrations, art talks, and art meanders.

Workshops covered subjects as diverse as drumming, coffee making, viticulture, quilt making, print

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HATS OFF, THUMBS UP, LOUD SHOUTOUT, SISTAH: Plett Tourism manager Cindy Wilson-Trollip here addressing those present at the opening of Afridocs last week - deserves a medal for being the driving force behind yet another successful Plett Arts Festival

making, cinematography, dance and music.

Motion pictures were well to the fore: Plett Food and Film screened Frida, on Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, and Pollock that portrays the tumultuous life of American abstract painter, Jackson Pollock.

Afridocs Plett showcased five exceptional documentaries; Mama Africa Miriam Makeba, When Paul Came over the Sea, Have you Heard from Johannesburg/Oliver Tambo, A Love Apart, and GangbĂŠ. Each documentary focused on a unique aspect of Africa.

Sunset Evenings at Plett Surf Lifesaving Club featured Msaki, Tim Hopwood and Koos Kombuis - the lat-

ter brought the house down with his mix of well-known songs and ribald humour.

The Plett 24 Hour Reunion fashion show, held midway through the festival, drew a large crowd and the designs were much admired as models sashayed along the catwalk with flair.

The Plett Fringe Festival put on four splendid evenings of entertainment with saxophonist Andrew Young, satirist Daniel Richards and Afrikaans singer Chris Chameleon accompanied by the lovely Daniella Deysel of 7de Laan renown.

The festival closed with a gig at Central Beach played

by Pan African Calling, and Femi Koya with the Afrobeat Band.

Plett Tourism are to be congratulated on having arranged and put on a splendid festival that ran seamlessly from beginning to end, truly offering something for everyone. The event has the potential to grow into a festival of note capable of attracting large numbers of both national and international visitors to Plett in the midst of winter. • Turn to page 9 for pics of some Plett Arts Fest events.

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

11 July 2018

‘Ready Steady Read Write’ helps Kranshoek kids HE ‘Ready Steady Read Write’ programme has been piloted at Kranshoek Primary to selected Grade R and Grade 1 learners during this year’s first two terms.

Sooneela Naina of the Bitou 10 Foundation (B10F) trained six tutors and one of these, Anthea Wiesie, was selected to attend coordinator training at Wordworks in Cape Town.

The tutors are concerned residents set on improving literacy within their community and volunteer their time to assist with reading. After receiving training from B10F coordinators Sooneela and Anthea, they are now

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ready for this task.

The Wordworks programme supports early language and literacy development of children from previously disadvantaged communities, providing youngsters with the tools required to read and write successfully. Volunteer tutors work with pairs of children on a weekly basis for at least six months.

There is a compelling body of evidence showing that, if we are to give our poorest children a better chance of learning to read and write successfully, the right foundations for learning must be laid in the period before formal schooling begins.

While the vast major-

ity of children in SA now receive formal schooling, children living in poverty still have much less chance of mastering reading and writing. As long as our poorest children fail to learn these skills, our education system will not succeed in improving life chances and breaking the cycle of inter-generational poverty.

Too many of our learners from deeply deprived backgrounds find it difficult to cope with the educational curriculum in the Foundation Phase (Grades 1-3). The objective of this programme is thus primarily to prepare these kids adequately for formal schooling.

Funding and additional volunteers are now required to continue the programme in Kranshoek.

Without financial support, this job would be extremely tough, if not impossible.

Call 044 533 6466 or email manager@bitou10 foundation.co.za if you live in the Kranshoek area and would like to volunteer your time as a tutor, or if you are in a position to support the programme through funding. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated.

B10F expresses sincere gratitude to Wordworks for making a life-changing impact on the development of learners and teachers in Bitou.

Paving the way for walkers Little Sealas owner Rasta Mbonisi Tuli, in red, is pictured here with his wife, Nokubonga, and employees Yolanda Mbexa, Scana Gwinta, and Mziyanda Mhlana shortly after hearing that the company had been awarded a tender to create sidewalks for the whole of KwaNokuthula to the value of R200,000 per phase.

He is also a housing subcontractor in KwaNokuthula and is currently involved in the construction of four sites in Sishuba Street. One of the local residents interviewed on the subject is Sibongile Henama. “I appreciate what the municipality is doing with the pavements because we struggle when it is raining - not everyone has a car. Now we will have well-designed pavements to walk on rather than risking our lives in the road, which we’ve been doing because we don’t like walking in the mud when it rains. We are voting for project implementation. They must create more work in particular for us in the townships as our young people are unemployed. Alcohol and drugs are bad in the township. They make young people violent and increase crime our levels,” she said. - Words & photo: Khaya Mbesi

BUSINESS

11 July 2018

When Melissa’s became Delia’s: A tale of de-franchising Dominique Herman

ELIA van den Handel had never owned her own business before she decided, with her husband, to open the first Garden Route franchise of Melissa’s.

After seeing an advertisement on Facebook at the end of 2016, she thought about it for four months

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REBRANDING: “So long as ‘Melissa’s The Food Shop’ doesn’t appear on anything, we’re good to go,” says Delia van den Handel, owner of the newly-named Delia’s Photos: Nicholas van den Handel

KEEPING IT REAL LOCAL: Garden Route-based producers and distributors are roped in for both the fresh foods and dry goods on offer at Delia’s

and then approached the head office. After a series of interviews, she started trading on November 16 last year.

Then, on May 22, she received a liquidation letter.

“I was blissfully unaware of it in the morning, but during the course of the day a supplier phoned me and said: ‘Don’t worry, don’t worry, we’ll supply you direct’. And I thought: ‘Now what is this man speaking about?’”

She has subsequently liaised directly with seven of the other established suppliers and her store will continue to stock the signature products for which

Melissa’s is known. Van den Handel already uses local producers and distributors for fresh foods and dry goods, instead of the suggested national distributor for franchisees.

“I don’t want this to change much in the look and feel. I love Melissa’s and I love the brand. And I was actually very sad on the day that I had to put my stickers over all of theirs, as much as I love my own name and my own brand.”

While the signage and stickers may have changed, the praline cheesecake is not going anywhere. The rebranding means she will

now be able to source and sell local homeware items such as glass plates with a pansy shell design made by an artist in Karatara.

She can also now offer the masses a taste of the apple tart her mother-inlaw has been making for 40 years. “If you go to her house at 11 o’ clock on Saturday mornings, you will get warm apple tart straight out of the oven.”

Van den Handel says the guidance and support she received from the head office in setting up the store, training the staff of 20, and creating an “absolutely seamlessly working kitchen” made it considerably easier than if she had gone it alone from the beginning - even if Melissa’s was an expensive brand to purchase.

“I feel a lot like a little birdy that’s been shoved out of the nest a bit quicker than I might have intended. But, you know, we just flap our wings and off we go.”

Delia’s is located at The Market Square in Beacon Way, Plett. Call them on 044 533 1535.

• Dominique Herman is a Cape Town-based journalist and aspiring Plettenberg Bay resident.

CXPRESS

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CANYON

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INTERVAL

11 July 2018

The golfer’s dilemma FF the seventh tee, Joe sliced his shot deep into a wooded ravine. He took his eight iron and clambered down the embankment in search of his lost ball.

After many long minutes of hacking at the underbrush, he spotted something glistening in the leaves. As he drew nearer, he discovered that

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it was an eight iron in the hands of a skeleton!

Flustered, Joe immediately called out to his friend: “Jack, I’ve got trouble down here!”

“What’s the matter?”

Jack asked from the edge of the ravine.

“Bring me my wedge!”

Joe shouted. “You can’t get out of here with an eight iron.”

The super unknown E took the kids to one of those restaurants where the walls are plastered with movie memorabilia.

I went off to see the hostess about reserving a table for us. When I returned, I found my 10-year-old granddaugh-

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Things I have in common with Victoria’s Secret models: 1. Being hungry

ter staring at a poster of Superman standing in a phone booth.

She looked puzzled.

“She doesn’t know who Superman is?” I asked my wife.

“Worse,” my wife replied. “She doesn’t know what a phone booth is.”

On married life…

• The person who invented the phrase “All men are the same” was a Chinese woman who lost her husband in a crowd.

• Wife: “Why are you home so early?”

Hubby: “My boss said ‘go to hell!’”

• Doctor: “How is your headache?”

Patient: “Much better.

She’s out of town.”

• Whisky is a brilliant invention.

One double and you start feeling single again.

• It is said that when a woman closes her eyes, she sees the person she loves the most, but when a man does that, the slide show begins.

• Wives are magicians.

They can change anything into an argument.

Chocolate or vanilla?

OHN left his twin 12-year-old boys in the car while he went into a store. While there, he spotted a vender selling ice cream cones. He bought one chocolate and one vanilla for the boys.

When he got back to the

J

car he asked them which one they wanted.

The boys looked at the ice cream cones for a few seconds trying to decide.

A grin came across one boy’s face. He pointed to his brother and said: “I want his!”

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran have all fallen out!

The way things are going, England will be the only Muslim country left in the Soccer World Cup...

Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.

Small, large, circle, square, thin crust, thick crust, stuffed crust, extra toppings...

SOCIAL SCENE

11 July 2018

CXPRESS

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People, places & events POLLOCK IN PLETT: The last event of the Plett Arts Festival was the screening of the motion picture ‘Pollock’, about the tempestuous life of the great American abstract artist, Jackson Pollock, at Emily Moon River Lodge, on the evening of Sunday July 8.

Afterwards, those who had watched the film created their own ‘Pollock’, which was then auctioned off by Emily Moon GM Alex Olivier, at left above. The painting was purchased by Johan and Lori Ann de Wet of Rawsonville, near Paarl, who together with friends Jennifer and Tim Swartz of Rhode Island in the States, at right, greatly enjoyed the evening. - Timothy Twidle

MAKING MOVIES: Above are some of the 20 participants in a film workshop, Stories for Change, held as feature of the Plett Arts Festival on July 5. The workshop was part of a course in film making that began on July 4 and which ends on July 13, coordinated by Lika Berning, at right in the back row, and Lamise Inglis, back left, of iKasi Media. - Timothy Twidle

ULTRA OYSTER FUN: Oyster enthusiasts, fitness fanatics and lovers of the good life have been enjoying the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival these holidays, with its full line-up for sports lovers, families and adventurers.

An evening of hilarity was had by all on Thursday July 5 with funnymen, above, Yaaseen Barnes, Kagiso Mokgadi, Carl Weber, and Dalin Oliver at Mitchell’s Brewery. Sue Brehm is pictured enjoying some laughs with the funny foursome. At right, winners of the Pick n Pay Fish Braai competition were, from left, Mack Morape (team Kolstert), Linden Herwels (Eden Environmental Health), Jonathan Moldan (Source Food), Elona van Zyl (Pick n Pay Western Cape Marketing manager), and Roland Rhode (team Kolstert). - Photos: ellephoto.co.za

CUTTING THE RUG WITH KOOS: Koos Kombuis entertained a large and jovial crowd at Plett Surf Life Saving Club on Friday July 6. At right, Arnold Cilliers took to the dance floor with Suzanne Groenewald.

- Timothy Twidle STRENGTH IN UNITY: Bitou security companies Smhart Alarms and Plett Security donated a motorcycle to the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA), with a handover ceremony at Formosa Garden Village on July 2. The iron horse will help the organisation in its crime-fighting efforts as they can access places with a motorcycle which might not be possible with a normal vehicle. PBCPA member Riana Venter, at right, will be tasked to utilise the bike, while the two security companies will absorb the maintenance and insurance costs. Local Rotary Anns sponsored Riana’s protective clothing and John Wilschut and Christine Templeman the signage.

Pictured here trying out the bike is PBCPA member Johnson Bidi of Blue Bay Guards, along with reverend Johnson, and officer Thomas. Please take note that the PBCPF and Bitou Municipality are hosting a Unity Walk on Saturday July 14 and all residents are invited to join in a show of harmony and upholding Madiba’s commitment to a non-racial SA. Assemble at the new court buildings in New Horizons from 9am. The 3.3km walk in celebration of Madiba’s centenary will set of at 10am and conclude in Main Street after a short official ceremony. - Photo: Yolandé Stander RUBBING SHOULDERS: At the screening of the film Have you Heard from Johannesburg on July 5 at the Piesang Valley Hall as part of the Plett Arts Festival, Plett Tourism chair Peter Wallington chats to justice Albie Sachs, right one of the prominent figures of the liberation struggle in South Africa during the latter half of the 20th century. - Timothy Twidle PARTY PEOPLE: Linda Ausker hit the Big Five Oh two Fridays ago and hubby PJ of Flashbacks fame treated a crowd of buddies to a delectable meal at Nineteen 89. Thanks guys - and now for the next one, when Flashbacks hits the 20-year milestone in 10 days’ time...

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CXPRESS

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

11 July 2018

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

11 July 2018

Letters to the Editor

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

Take up this challenge from Christiana Lodge We at Christiana Lodge are firm supporters of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) and are thankful for the wonderful work they are doing for the greater

good of Plett and all its residents under circumstances that are often challenging and dangerous.

We believe that our dedicated Plett Rapid Response team deserves

The loss of Zenzall Plaatjies leaves a void in Plett

It is with great sadness that we inform our friends, supporters, and colleagues of the passing of our friend and colleague Zenzall Plaatjies. Zenzall has been part of our life for the past four years here at Hospice Plett. He grew up in Plettenberg Bay and was passionate about community empowerment through health promotion and illness prevention. He was also an active member of the local SANTA branch.

We will miss his warmth and care and express our sincerest condolences to his family and friends. Zenzall passed away on Saturday after a short illness. Rest in peace our dear colleague and friend. - The PlettAid Foundation/ Hospice Plett

Boxers thank Plett Tourism after sand-art tribute to Madiba June 29 was an important day for our local sand artists, when Bitou Boxing Academy in partnership with Plett Tourism commemorated the life of Madiba as part of this year’s Plett Arts Festival.

We thank Bitou Ward 2 councillor Dave Swart for supporting the unveiling of art depicting 100 years since the birth of the father of our nation.

We were also blessed by the presence of Plett Tourism’s board of directors, and attendance by international tourists dining at surrounding restaurants or catching a marine safari.

All these businesses contributed indirectly as their clients supported the event with their donations.

Special thanks also go to Mpumelelo and his FriCreatives team of 24 Hour Reunion fame for visiting our sand-art exposure on the day after the unveiling.

Sand sculpting is one of the most trending forms of art, locally and internationally. Our local artists

are promoting the bay to attract more domestic and international tourists with their depictions of whales and dolphins, the Big Five, and the beloved BI Hotel.

This makes us happy as it proves that our bay is indeed a bay of beauty, especially when it comes to nature. So when you go down the beach, please don’t forget to give your kind support to our sand artists - one of the proudly Plett projects that Bitou Boxing Academy is involved in.

Sifundo Kenneth Magaga, Plett (Watch this space for news of an exciting boxing tournament hosted by the academy on July 28.

If you would like to contribute to make this local event a reality, please pop in at the Plett Tourism information office at Mellville’s Corner or email kenneth@ bitouboxingacademy.co.za for additional information.

Visit www.cxpress.co.za for a gallery of photos of the Sand Sculpture event.

- Eds.)

NOT JUST CASTLES IN THE SAND: Kenneth Magaga of Plett Boxing Academy, at right, with some of the talented sand sculptors on Central Beach

sponsors to assist and support them financially.

As per the recent circulated financial support request, Christiana Lodge is pledging its support and challenges all other accommodation establishments - lodges, hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, and even restaurants - to step forward and follow suit.

Our Rapid Response Unit is proudly Plett; they need a dedicated vehicle to serve all of us efficiently. It does not need to be new, just in ship-shape running condition. Volunteers on

the unit are taking major personal financial strain in the line of duty.

The unit’s passion for Plett is legendary and its impact well known. The safety of our community is certainly a high priority for every member, so please meet our challenge to further this excellent cause.

Christa Joubert obo Christiana Lodge, Plett (See the PBCPA report on page 4 of the July 4 edition at www.cxpress.co.za and email ina@plettsecurity. co.za if you would like to contribute. - Eds.)

Communication is key when dealing with differently-abled clientele Businesses should review their policies and procedures for serving customers, and change those that exclude or limit participation by people who are “differently-abled”.

For example, if a store has a policy to exclude all animals, it should be changed to permit people who use service animals, such as seeing-eye or hearing-assist dogs, to enter the store with their masters.

Customers or guests who have hearing or speech disabilities may need to communicate with staff without conventional speech. Methods will vary depending on these customers’ abilities and on the complexity of required communication.

Some hearing-impaired folk, for example, are used to speech but unable to understand some words spoken, while others may not be able to speak at all.

People who are differently-abled in the above way may require extra time to convey a message.

When confronted with a situation of this nature, it is only human to be at a loss and this can cause anxiety on both sides.

It is imperative that staff be patient, look the person in the eye, smile, and do nothing to make the differently-abled feel uncomfortable in any way. They need more time, so when presenting a menu, the price, and specials of the day, for instance, keep the words as simple as possible.

It is appropriate to ask these customers their preference for simple communication. Allow them dignity. They know that you are unsure and a bit apprehensive - they are used to it.

Keep a clipboard with pen or pencil behind every service counter as this may prove the easiest way to communicate. It will alleviate the need for decisions

based on assumptions, and is sure to make the customer feel more at ease.

If there is no clipboard, find a replacement like an order pad for the customer to complete and add their preferences. Some customers may use electronic equipment to convey their choices and ask questions.

Visual display is invariably the ultimate way of communication.

Telecommunications by TDD or LCD phones are plentiful overseas and may even be here in SA now.

This device has a keyboard for entering messages and visual display to view the content of a conversation from another person using the same apparatus via a relay network.

But from what I understand, it is mostly companies like Samsung and large Chinese networks that are continually modifying these. Can any reader enlighten us in this regard?

It is important to remember that there are folks who, although able to hear, can’t when surrounded by conflicting noise like loud music or many people speaking at once.

These people are differently-abled, but valued customers no less. Your patience will be rewarded by their smiles.

I would very much appreciate it if readers could contact me with comments and observations. The Differently-Abled Awareness Campaign is there to assist all of us in some way or another. Remember that it could happen to you within seconds.

Rita Hardaker/Van Rensburg, Plett (Email ritav@global.co.za or call 082 560 2606 with your comments or suggestions, and see the advert on page 5 for details on the Differently-Abled Campaign competition with a fabulous prize, thanks to Sky Villa. - Eds.)

CXPRESS

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CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

11 July 2018

Bay and ‘Bos triathletes clinch Knysna’s BIG5 titles INNERS of the ninth edition of the Momentum BIG5 Challenge were decided at the Knysna Half Marathon finish line on Sunday, when Keegan Cooke (with an accumulative time of 7:25:07) and Vicky van der Merwe (8:20:54) took first place overall in the men’s and women’s events respectively.

Capetonian Dean Hopf was second (7:48:58) and Richard Alan Lawrie came third (8:07:46) in the men’s race, with Fienie Barnard (8:34:23) and Almari de Milander the (11:04:18) other female podium finishers.

In one of the most exciting adventure races in South Africa, Momentum BIG5 Challenge athletes complete five of the major sporting events that form part of the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival, namely the Knysna Cycle Tour 80km MTB race, Lagoon Mile Swim, 15km Featherbed Trail Run, Momentum Health MTBX Cyclo-Cross, and the Knysna Half Marathon.

Organiser Gary Marescia said this year’s event was particularly successful: “We had a thrilling week of racing with tough and close competitions playing themselves out across each event. We congratulate everyone who finished and look forward to next year’s 10th edition.”

Keegan Cooke, a 21-year old triathlete from Port Elizabeth, was very happy with his BIG5 win: “I wanted to go one better than last year, when I came second to Brad Weiss.

“I surprised myself on the bike, going a lot quicker than last year. Throughout the week I tried to keep it consistent - I felt I had a good swim on Monday. The trail run was tough, as always, so I was happy to defend my title of last year’s win.

“The MTBX is always fun with a few obstacles thrown in and I managed to stay on my bike. It was good to go into the half marathon

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with a cushion, so although there was no pressure I gave it a good push. My body is pretty broken!”

After Oudtshoorn’s Fienie Barnard had established a significant lead in the 80km MTB race, Stellenbosch triathlete Vicky van der Merwe - who entered the event as defending champ - made up time in the subsequent races to take the overall win.

“It was an awesome, challenging week. The 80km MTB is always the toughest for me as there are other girls who are very strong on the bike, and I was pleased to finish 10 minutes faster than last year.

“I managed to close the gap in the swim, and winning the trail run overall was fantastic. My MTBX race was also faster than last year, so topping it off with a win in the half marathon made me very happy.

“The thing about the BIG5 is that you are never certain of a win until the last day as anything can go wrong - you have to pace yourself,” she said.

In the BIG5Lite, where athletes take on shorter distances and have a choice between three races for their third event, points are awarded rather than an accumulated time used to de-

AMPHIBIAN ALL-ROUNDER: PE triathlete Keegan Cooke shows his mettle on the track and in the water Photos: Lisa Leslie Photography

cide the winner.

Dan Howitz was victorious in the men’s BIG5Lite (240 points), with Kimon and Anthony Haralambous placing second (236) and third (230). First woman in was Linda Detering (213), with Amy Hopkins second (168) and Michelle van Aswegen third (165).

Equestrian royalty rides in Plett

At the Plett Eco Fun Hike and Ride, held at Cairnbrogie Farm last Saturday were, in the foreground from left, Laetitia Snyman of Kranshoek, André Truter of the South African Equestrian Federation and Enos Mafokate, who founded the Soweto Equestrian Foundation in 2007. Mafokate participated as a South African Sports Ambassador in the XXV (Amigos para Siempre/Friends for Life) Olympiad, held in the Spanish city of Barcelona in 1992. - Photo: Timothy Twidle

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