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Photo: Marie Morley
11 March 2020
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A shot of lightning Plett resident Marie Morley captured the spectacular lightning storm that brightened up big parts of the Garden Route on Saturday night as it played out over Lookout Beach. Turn to page 4 for her back story.
Plett shutdown promised - p3
Vandals cost Knysna dearly - p4
We say good-bye to Bob - p5
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CXPRESS
NEWS & VIEWS
11 March 2020
Barbarous attack leads to tragic death of elderly Plettenberg Bay resident EN Swimmer’s talk to the Van Plettenberg Historical Society at Formosa Garden Village at 6pm tomorrow takes on a sad new relevance following the recent brutal attack on elderly local residents John and Sylvia Burns. Swimmer is dedicating his presentation to the Burns family. John Burns, 82 - a generous, kind-hearted and religious family man - was set upon in a totally unprovoked attack on Thursday February 20 at his Silver Streams Estate home off Keurbooms River Road. Following the restoration of Eskom power after a load shedding session that Thursday evening, John went outside to turn off his generator; two balaclava-clad and gloved assailants were lying in wait for him. He was viciously beaten and tied up with thin wire, which cut into his hands and arms. He was dragged into his home, wired to a chair and locked into his study. The assailants then threw away the key. His wife Sylvia - a diabetic -
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was also attacked and bound with the same thin wire and locked in the bathroom. Her rings were snatched from her fingers and a small amount of money stolen. The Burnses were then abandoned when the assailants fled, locking the doors behind them and disposing of the keys. The badly-injured couple was able to communicate verbally during the night, but they were not able to raise the alarm because they were unable to move. On Friday morning, a gardener noticed a broken window and raised the alarm. Unfortunately, John Burns died shortly after being found, and Sylvia has been left injured and deeply traumatised as she faces the prospect of trying to come to terms with this brutal end to a long and very happy marriage. Her arms and feet were badly cut by the thin wire with which she was bound. The healing of these injuries is further compromised by her diabetic status. Sylvia as well as their son,
daughter and grandchildren have been left devastated and bereft by this act of extreme cruelty and heartlessness. Len Swimmer’s talk ‘Memes and Memetics: Nature versus Nurture’ will attempt to explore such behaviour and possibly shed some understanding and insight into the unthinkable. Swimmer has dedicated this talk to John and Sylvia Burns. He will illustrate how the study of memetics proves that the psychopathic and ruthless behaviour displayed by their attackers - typically devoid of any sense of guilt or remorse has genetic and memetic roots. The presentation will take place at Formosa Garden Village on Thursday March 12 at 6pm. Doors open at 5:30pm and refreshments will be available after the talk. A small entrance fee of R30 per head is payable, with an additional R30 for refreshments. Come early to secure a place for this important and highlyrelevant talk. Email info@plett history.org for more info.
WEDDED BLISS BRUTALLY ENDED: Sylvia and John Burns on their wedding day six decades ago; Sylvia is now trying to deal with the mental and physical damage done by the cruel and ruthless men who murdered her husband
Notice Board • David Muller returns to Plettenberg Bay with two engaging and entertaining performances. On Saturday, he will present a unique double bill in aid of Lunchbox Theatre’s educational shows and workshops in local schools. Experience David’s rendition of the beautiful, touching and informative ‘Sacred Elephant’, written by Heathcote Williams, and revel in the return of loveable Oom Schalk Lourens as he regales us with stories of the legendary Herman Charles Bosman.
According to critics, Muller’s “haunting and entrancing dramatisation” of Williams’s epic poem exposes the plight of these majestic creatures and man’s impact on them. “This is no bunny-hugging piece of green propaganda. The language is graceful and elegant, the mood evocative but not emotionally manipulative, the content realistic,” says editor Karen Rutter. Says reviewer Beverly Brommert: “David Muller transports you back in time through the words of the famous char-
acter that Herman Charles Bosman created. He has been telling Bosman’s stories for several years now and always leaves me craving more.” Don’t miss this David Muller double whammy at St Peter’s Church hall in Church Street, Plettenberg Bay on March 14 from 7-9pm. Tickets cost R120 and can be bought online from Quicket or swing past Barney’s Kiosk at The Market Square shopping centre in Beacon Way. • Diarise Thursday March
19 at 6pm for 6:30pm for the next General Knowledge Fun Quiz held at Plettenberg Bay Bowling Club in Challenge Drive. As per usual, the evening includes a light supper and plenty of prizes. Entry is R100 per head and teams may have a maximum of six members. Organiser Barry Rickets and his Plettenberg Bay Bowling Club team would love to have a full house on the night, so please book soonest at barry ricketts48@hotmail.com or contact 072 890 6238.
NEWS & VIEWS
11 March 2020
CXPRESS
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KwaNokuthula community demands municipal action in seven days - or ‘total shut down’ looms Ludumo Tede
EMBERS of Plett’s KwaNokuthula community demanded a response - in action, not words - from Bitou Municipality to their memorandum of grievances, which was handed over to the municipal manager on March 4. The “pain”, as they describe it, of receiving a minimum of electricity units
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propelled these citizens to march to the municipal offices in an effort to focus the attention of their local government on this matter - the gist of which is that when they buy electricity vouchers, they only receive half the total of units paid for. The marchers claimed that the municipality failed to mitigate this electric-
ity problem, which could benefit the poor. They said they had been struggling with the same issues since 2016, and that it had deteriorated this year. The explanation from Bitou revolves around unpaid municipal accounts, i.e. when residents fail to pay their accounts, the unpaid money will be recuperated by the
News Briefs • ER24 reported that two people were critically injured after a paragliding accident in Sedgefield on Saturday March 7, when their paragliding chute allegedly collapsed. The 28-year-old male passenger and his female instructor, believed to be in her 30s, suffered critical back and pelvis fractures when they hit the ground at high speed. According to the statement: “It is believed that a sudden change in wind folded the chute while they were still high up. Both paragliders were treated with Advanced Life Support interventions and immobilised before being transported to a private hospital in Knysna for fur-
ther care,” it concluded. ER24 paramedics were accompanied by members of Sedgefield’s Fire Department at the scene of the accident shortly before 1pm on Saturday afternoon. • Knysna Municipality approached the High Court for an urgent interdict to address local land invasions. Dr Michele Gratz, acting municipal manager, said the application follows land invasions on the Groenvlei sand dunes in Sedgefield. “The area at this stage cannot be classified as safe and stable, and in the interest of safety we urge residents not to build on these dunes. The invasion also poses a serious risk to the
integrity of this sensitive coastal landscape. “The interdict will allow the municipality to open a case of trespassing against anyone occupying land illegally and arrest anyone trespassing on the land and prosecute them successfully,” said Gratz. “To protect our assets and infrastructure, we are taking a zero-tolerance approach to illegal activities like these. Despite our warnings, residents continue to unlawfully invade land and rely on the Property Act to legitimise their unlawful behaviour. We will no longer tolerate this. This matter took up time which could have been spent on service delivery.”
Rape victim’s family insulted by R2,000 bail AMILY members of the victim of a rape that ostensibly occurred in Harkerville last December are livid about the Plett court’s decision to grant bail of R2,000 to the alleged rapist on Friday March 6, calling it “unfair” and “insulting”. The judge’s final utterances were eagerly awaited as he was wrapping up a bail hearing that had been dragging on for more than three weeks. This time the defence triumphed, and supporters of the victim had to accept the court’s decision begrudgingly. The amount of R2,000 bail was granted on condi-
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tion, among others, of no interference in the investigation of the case or intimidation of witnesses. The 29-year-old man is accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in his house, when the girl visited him and his wife during the December holidays. After the girl told her mother about the ordeal, charges were pressed and the alleged rapist was incarcerated on February 14. The victim’s father, who is also the father-in-law of the accused, said he was utterly let down by the bail verdict. In spite of the disappointment, he reiterated his full support for his daughters.
He mentioned how the rape case had destroyed his daughter’s marital life, and swore that the 350km journey to Plett from Jansenville on every court date would not affect his support for his daughters. “Just when we thought we had him, this happens. R2,000… really? This is an insult to our family - not only to the family, but to the justice system. But I’ll keep coming on court days. Both my daughters need my support in this matter. The suspect’s next court appearance in Plettenberg Bay is scheduled for April 23. - Ludumo Tede
municipality when these residents buy electricity. The community demanded the separation of electrical accounts from services like water and waste removal, “for it is killing us financially”. March leader Buyile Tolom said the problem started when the current council endorsed the auxiliary policy, which allows Bitou to
force residents to pay municipal accounts when they buy electricity. Addressing the marchers outside the municipal offices, which were heavily guarded at the time, Tolom said: “The poorest of the poor are the direct victims of this business decision, so we are calling for the disbandment of the auxiliary policy. “The council must scrap
accounts to start from zero for all indigent communities, and we demand a separation of electricity from water and waste removal accounts.” After signing the memorandum, municipal manager Lonwabo Ngoqo told the marchers he would table it before council and that the municipality would respond within the given timeframe. Failure to do so, according to march leaders, would result in a total shut down of Bitou.
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CXPRESS
NEWS & VIEWS
11 March 2020
Knysna vandals leave residents in the dark and municipality out of pocket ANDALISM of electrical infrastructure is illegal, unsafe and costly, according to Knysna’s acting municipal manager Dr Michele Gratz. “Obviously there are safety risks to consider when vandalising our electrical equipment, but it can cost us almost R4,800 to fix a single streetlight, depending on the damage and the
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type of light.” The municipality has had to repair more than 15 streetlights in Hornlee alone during the past month. “Vandals usually damage the light fittings, day/ night-switches, and cables or remove the covers at the base of the poles, shorting out the circuits. “Repairing an older streetlight can cost the munici-
pality up to R1,945, while fixing a newer LED-type streetlight can cost as much as R4,795. And it’s not a case of simply changing a lightbulb,” she explained. “There are many charges to consider: it costs us money to run the cherry picker; we have to pay an artisan and assistant; and, depending on the damage, various components must
be replaced. These include, but are not limited to, light fittings and bulbs, cables, day/night-switches, and LMS and timer relays.” The municipal electrical teams’ capacity is limited, which means that other matters are left unattended as the same lights are constantly in need of repairs. “Sometimes the same lights need to be fixed four or five times within a short period of time. The safety and security of our residents and visitors is one of our top priorities. This is why we have streetlights. “People who engage in these kind of activities are placing their neighbours and everyone else - at risk by creating unsafe, unlit areas,” she said. “They are
AT YOUR PERIL: It is dangerous and illegal to vandalise electrical equipment
also in effect taking money from their neighbours, as we have to use ratepayers’ money to fix this vandalised infrastructure.” “Vandalism is a crime,” Dr Gratz concluded. “Do not be a party to it and, should you witness an incident of vandalism or be aware of one, please contact our electrical department. “We need your help to
stop this senseless activity, to stop the additional spend associated with it and to maintain the safety of our community and our guests.” Alert Knysna Municipality of acts of vandalism by calling 044 302 6397/399 or sending an SMS to 44453. Alternatively, download their mobile app from your app store to report vandalism anonymously.
George FCS seeks help of public to track down wanted rape suspects HE George Family violence, Child protection and Sexual offences (FCS) unit has appealed to the community at large to come forward with any information that can assist them with the investigation and prosecution in the following cases recently reported: Case 1 The ID Kit at right and description of the wanted suspect pertains to a rape case that was reported at Thembalethu SAPS recently. The police hope this facial composite will assist with the tracing of the suspect. Preliminary investigation suggest that a 26-year-old victim was raped by the suspect in Zone 4 in Thembalethu on Tuesday March 3 at about 1am while on her way to her residence in Zone 9. Anyone with information regarding the incident or whereabouts of the suspect is requested to contact
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COMPOSED FROM MEMORY: This ID Kit was compiled of a rape suspect described as a Xhosa-speaking male of dark complexion in his late 30s of medium built and around 1.78m tall, who was wearing a dark top and khaki shorts at the time of the crime
W/O KC Botha of George FCS on 044 803 4621 during office hours. Case 2 On Saturday February 8 at 3am, while a 24-year-old victim was sleeping in her bungalow in Dick Street, Zone 9, Thembalethu, the
suspect entered her bungalow by force and raped her. Call Sgt Ann Janse of George FCS on 044 803 4621 if you have any information about the crime or the suspect. Case 3 On Wednesday February 5 at about 1:15pm, a 22-yearold victim who resides at Pine Trees in Plettenberg Bay was attacked by an unknown black male while walking through the bushes from Bossiesgif towards her residence. She is unfortunately unable to provide a comprehensive description of the unknown suspect, so no physical description could assist in the compilation of an ID Kit. If you know anything that could assist the police in this regard, call W/O KC Botha on 044 803 4621 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. All information will be dealt with confidentially.
Desire for perfect shot cures Marie’s astraphobia
005-417 NPO
Marie Morley - the photographer of our cover photo, who also captured the beauty above - says this about the run-up to Saturday’s incredible light show and her preparations: “We spent the weekend down at The Plett Shed and after a chilly dip in the sea around 5pm, started watching the storm roll in. It became increasingly spectacular and lasted until after 9pm. If it weren’t for my almost manic desire to capture a perfect shot, I would have been hiding under my bed as I am terrified of lightning! It’s really difficult to capture a crystal-clear shot of lightning as manual focus in the dark is near impossible. These were taken with the shutter open in bulb mode for over one minute while waiting for the lightning to strike in the right spot.”
NEWS & VIEWS
11 March 2020
Bidding farewell to Bob and Joyce after 15 fab years on the Route CXPRESS last week wished bon voyage to contributor par excellence BOB HOPKIN - and not without a fair dose of melancholy over the end of this mutually joyful era of exchanging stories from the ‘hood EAVING behind a smallholding outside Pretoria, Bob and Joyce Hopkin traversed Outeniqua Pass in early February 2005 and, when stopping at a viewpoint en route, shared a little tearful hug as they contemplated their new life. “We were delighted to move into our Wilderness home, but the next year proved difficult as the business we hoped to carry over from Gauteng and continue in Sedgefield failed miserably,� says Bob. Struggling with lack of funds, one day a chance glance at a copy of the EP Herald newspaper gave Bob an opportunity to become a journalist, as they were establishing a Garden Route edition and looking to employ local contributors. “After an interview with the editor passing through, that was the beginning of my final career.� Five years spent with EP Herald, and a lot of free advice, allowed Bob to develop his own style. Assignments included an interview with a president, exposure to murders, and covering plane crashes and shipwrecks. “I was meeting many talented, intelligent people as well as a few really dumb ones! But after a while EP Herald withdrew from the area. Fortunately, CX-
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PRÊT À VOYAGER: By the time you read here, Joyce and Bob Hopkin will have circumnavigated a good part of the globe to their new Panama home
PRESS came to the rescue.� The CX format required a change in style to more compact and concise reporting with a strict word limit and emphasis on bright, crisp pictures. “Tremendous support from content editor Esther meant that assignments kept coming, and some income was added to our pensions, which had arrived at the time. “Many - too many - stories come to mind in my 10-year period with CXPRESS, but two of these I will never forget. “One is the emotional interview with a retired nuclear bomber pilot who knew that, once he took off, he and his
crew would never return. “The other, rather ghoulish one, was at George crematorium where I was shown a burning corpse and then managed to turn that into an amusing article involving Monty Python! “Apart from being a lifetime of support, my wife Joyce has played the role of (unpaid) critic and proofreader, as well as posing in various roles as subjects for the newspaper - including being hooked up to a lie-detector (“When did you last beat your husband?�). “After us both living and working in the UK, France and South Africa, then retiring (?) to the Garden Route, we felt we needed to add another chapter to our lives and move on once again,� Bob explains. After exploratory trips to Thailand, Malaysia, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama, Bob and Joyce finally decided to spend their ‘twilight’ years in the last of those: a charming town in the west of the country called Boquete. “After we get settled, I hope that Esther and Lezanne will allow me to contribute the occasional ‘Letter from Panama’. “To all CXPRESS readers: we wish you well and hope you enjoyed reading our articles as much as we enjoyed writing them.�
Dr Brown bows out as boss of NV Trust AST week, Nature’s Valley Trust (NVT) released a statement to the effect that its head honcho since 2012, Mark Brown, was about to step down. “After seven and a half years of sterling leadership of Nature’s Valley Trust, our director Dr Mark Brown has decided to resign with a view to pursuing other career interests and spending more time with his family. “Mark has agreed to stay on until the end of May, during which time we will start the recruitment process for a new director. During this period Mark will delegate his duties and responsibilities to his team members, and we are very fortunate to have a strong, capable team to steer the organisation through this transition.� According to the statement Julie Carlisle, Lindy van Hasselt and other trustees would be on hand to provide the team with additional support as needed. NVT trustees acknowledged the extraordinary contribution Dr Brown made to the operations, efficiency, stature and standing of the Trust. “During his seven years as
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director, Mark made a most significant contribution to developing the NVT and has played a pivotal role in creating a network of partners and stakeholders to address pressing environmental issues in the greater Garden Route area. “Mark and the NVT team have inspired thousands of children through our environmental education programmes, forged good working relationships with neighbouring communities and mentored and supported many honours and post-grad students, interns and volunteers. “In addition, several im-
NATURE’S FRIEND: Dr Mark Brown has made an invaluable contribution
portant research papers have been published and the conservation careers of former and current NVT staff have been launched. Annual funding levels have grown significantly, and the number of donors and project supporters increased substantially,� the statement continues. Dr Brown is described as an asset not only in terms of conservation and research, but also to the Nature’s Valley community through holiday programmes, his willingness and openness to share his love of the natural world, and the mutual support structures he has forged with the local ratepayers association Details of a farewell event for Dr Brown will be communicated in due course, and the process to identify and recruit a suitable replacement director is in the pipeline, but it is anticipated that this would take between three and six months to finalise. All enquiries in this regard should be addressed to NVT chairman Chris van Melle Kamp at info@ future-purpose.com or on 083 604 2757.
CXPRESS
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A Fundraising Concert for the benefit of St Peter's Anglican Church and its Outreach Programmes and Hospice Plett
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CXPRESS
NEWS & VIEWS
11 March 2020
Calling all Garden Route nature lovers to take up the ‘challenge’ AST year, Capetonians eclipsed the world by capturing over 53,000 different plant, bird, insect and animal species on their phones in the international City Nature Challenge. This year, Garden Route locals are called upon to ‘click’ many more species than that! In order for everyone to join in the fun of this challenge, the good people at WESSA, Garden Route Botanical Garden, and CREW Outramps are holding a series of workshops on ‘how to participate’ in the competition.
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To attend the workshop on Wednesday March 18 at 6pm for 6:30pm at Wilderness Hotel, please RSVP at once by emailing wessa george@isat.co.za and so allowing WESSA to ensure the provision of enough hands-on trainers. All you need to bring is your smart phone (if possible, download the iNat App and register using your ID name and password, or use your Facebook or Google account beforehand) and your enthusiasm. The City Nature Challenge is to photograph as
many species as possible over four days from April 24-27, and participants have another week until May 3 to upload observations. More workshops are being organised throughout the Garden Route, sometimes at very short notice, so follow WESSA on Facebook and visit www.inaturalist. org/projects/city-naturechallenge-2020-gardenroute - the dedicated Garden Route City Nature Challenge website. Email Christine Schnaufer at wessageorge@isat.co.za for further details.
After Eden podium, Plett Sec actors ply their trade at Baxter and beyond
Congrats to this talented group representing Plett Secondary, for attaining a formidable second place out of nine entries during the Eden Drama Festival a fortnight ago. Pictured from left are Keith Khumalo, Mickey-Lee Steyn, Michaela Whaites, Mr Jeftha (writer and director), Claude Kivvets (music director) Catelin Windvogel, and Ruchay Leonard. Michaela, who matriculated in 2018, also walked off with the coveted best female lead award. The troupe staged their production, entitled ‘Dis my storie’ on March 7 at the Baxter in Cape Town and on April 27, they will feature at the Suidoosterfees. Mr Jeftha is especially deserving of kudos for being the quiet but constant driving force behind the success of these budding young actors.
Applications are now open for Sasol’s prestigious bursary programme RE you a high-achieving, highly-motivated Grade 12 learner with plans to study towards an engineering or science degree in the 2021 academic year? If so, you’re invited to apply for an all-inclusive bursary from Sasol, preferred employer in the chemical and energy sector, as voted for by students in the SAGEA (SA Graduate Employers of Choice) survey. The bursary is open to learners who are planning to study towards a B Eng or BSc Eng in various engineering disciplines or for a BSc in Chemistry, Geology or Metallurgy. To be considered for a bursary within these disciplines, you will need to
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score 70% for Mathematics and Physical Science, and 60% for English. If you’re interested in studying a B Eng Tech/National Diploma in Engineering, you will need 60% minimum for Mathematics, Physical Science, and English. The bursary covers tuition fees, accommodation, meals, textbooks, pocket money and an allowance for study tools such as a laptop and calculator. It also provides comprehensive bursar support to help you reaching your academic potential while maintaining personal wellbeing. Upon completion of your studies, you may be offered an opportunity to join the Sasol Graduate Develop-
ment Programme. “With the scarcity of talent in South Africa, it is essential for us to invest in tomorrow’s leaders to sustain our growth,” said Sasol Graduate Centre manager Monica Luwes. “We want to give young South Africans interested in STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics] an opportunity to harness their potential. We aim to help them excel - not just in their studies, but also in their careers.” Applications are currently open for the 2021 academic year and will close on April 30. Visit www. sasolbursaries.com to apply online and for any additional information.
BUSINESS
11 March 2020
Those were the days of miracles and affordable prize-winning wines One can’t live in the past - more’s the pity - but it’s tempting when one takes a wander down Memory Lane and looks at the cost of living back then, writes STUART MURRAY N one of my (very) rare tidying moments recently, I came across a bound copy of one of the first editions of my old publication, Finance Week. Dating from January 19 to May 2, 1979, the volume offers a fascinating insight of living cost/standards in those waning days of Nationalist rule - and when the rand/sterling rate was almost two to one. • The residential housing market is a case in point. In April of 1979, sentiment in Johannesburg had more or less settled after the Soweto riots, and townhouses were in favour, being snapped up in Rivonia Road and Sandown for around R30,000. The general ceiling for most buyers was roughly R40,000. In the city’s upmarket northern suburbs, freestanding homes were selling for R250,000. In Cape Town’s Mouille Point, homes in a 47-unit sectional title scheme were on the market at a maximum of R28,000. Meanwhile the gold price was a fraction
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below $250/ounce. • House rentals appear to have been at bargain basement prices. An advert running at the time offered: “To let, fully furnished (with many antiques) in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs. Five bedrooms plus complete guest suite, pool house with marble floors, two change rooms cum bedrooms with interleading bathroom. R900 per month.” • Leisure appears to have been easy on the pocket in those days. A consortium of American Express, Budget Tours, Mondicolor of Spain, and Iberian Airways offered an 11-day Madrid/Moorish tour including hotel accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner plus coach travel for R809 per person. A Madrid/Costa de Sol 10-day alternative offered seven nights in four-star hotels in either Torremolinos or Marbella with breakfasts and dinners, plus transport, for R763R849 per person… return air fares included!
Investor Focus
If one felt like a quickie, the Wildlife Society was offering a Comair/Hertz fly-up, self-drive safari for two days in Kruger Park at R129 per head. Such reasonable - for the times - prices must surely have prompted a lively degree of free spirits. Talking of which, the opportunity to indulge in Spain’s finest wines would have been an additional bounty, given the strong rand at the time. Our own wine prices back in the 70s would make any of today’s wine lovers salivate. For example, white wines of ‘78 received rave reviews. Backsberg’s Chenin Blanc ran off with the championship prize at the Boberg Show while Vinkrivier Steen and Boschendal Riesling also took home gold medals. The retail prices (at Benny Goldberg’s, Magnum and Rebel, respectively) of a bottle of these winning wines make one’s mouth water. Read it and sob: • Backsberg Chenin Blanc - R1.57, R1.92,
(Rebel N/A) • Vinkrivier Steen - 91c, 94c, 99c • Boschendal Riesling R1.52, R1.55, R1.53 The prices of red wines, including some of our finest at that time, further increase the salivation. Here are some examples from Benny Goldberg’s: • Meerlust Cabernet ‘75 - R2.69 • Meerendal Shiraz R2.29 • Zonnenbloem Cabernet ’75 - R2.29 • Rustenberg dry red ‘75 - R1.79 • Fairview Shiraz - R1.79 • Simonsvlei Cabernet ‘76 - R1.42 I don’t advise readers to note these prices of a bygone era and compare them with what they cost today. Times are solemn enough. • 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 Plettenberg Bay.
Malcolm Stewart – Investment manager at Michaelides Parker Wealth Knysna & Plett
Coronavirus: the Black Swan no one saw coming EFORE the discovery of Australia, people in the Old World were convinced that ALL swans were white - an unassailable belief, as it seemed completely confirmed by empirical evidence. (This is a direct quote from The Black Swan by Nassim Talbet - a professor of Sciences of Uncertainty at the University of Massachusetts in the USA.) A Black Swan event has three attributes. Firstly it is virtually beyond all expectations; secondly, it has an extreme impact; and, thirdly, we make explanations of how it occurred after the event. My own version of a Black Swan event features a turkey hatched in a warm and cosy environment, and fed good food and fresh water by the farmer on a daily basis. Then after three years, he sees the farmer approaching who then chops off his head!
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In his historical environment, the poor turkey had no way of expecting such a terrible event. So the Coronavirus could very possibly be classed as a Black Swan event. It came out of the blue and certainly no one could really have forecast its occurrence. As we all know, the virus has had a massive impact on markets around the world. There are several reasons for this significant impact. Primarily, China is the world’s second biggest trading nation, with global contacts in trade, investments and travel. (This was not the case at the time of the SARS virus) Secondly, markets in the US were getting very expensive, i.e. they were already regarded as ‘fragile’ or ‘brittle’. Thirdly, global growth had been slowing down for several years, so all it needed to set off a correction was a
‘good’ catalyst. Now we have learnt that when both China and the USA sneeze, the world catches a very severe cold! So what about our market? We still have several fears embedded in our minds. Firstly, the possible downgrade; secondly, the possible strikes by civil servants; thirdly, Eskom… and fourthly, the virus! That the virus scare will eventually dissipate is certain. That Eskom will eventually be fixed is very probable (after how long, though?). Strikes don’t last forever, and we are probably already discounting a downgrade. We know that the best time to buy shares is when there is blood on the streets, but we also know that you should not try to catch a falling knife. When will US markets finally level out? Watch the values in our market: Share - DY
• Std Bank - 6.6% • Nedbank - 8.2% • Truworths - 8% REITS • Growthpoint 12% • L2D 10% • HYProp 14% The list goes on. Many companies currently reflect very good value but you may have to wait a year or two to see the benefits. So if your nerves can stand the stress you could start to enter the market. Or be patient and wait for a few better signs. Maybe pay a little more but be more confident. If you are already in the market then you should wait out the storm as selling shares now is throwing value away. • Malcolm has been in the investment industry for nearly 50 years. He has written this column in CXPRESS for the last 21 years and is a specialist in managing retired wealth. See the advert on this page for contact details.
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CXPRESS
INTERVAL
11 March 2020
Courtroom antics long-winded attorney was arguing a technical case before one of the judges of the superior courts. The attorney had rambled on in such a desultory way that it became very difficult to follow his line of thought, and the judge had just yawned very suggestively. With a trace of sarcasm in his voice, the tiresome attorney ventured to observe: “I sincerely trust that I am not unduly trespassing on the time of this court.” “My friend,” returned
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the judge, “there is a considerable difference between trespassing on time and encroaching upon eternity.” The trial went on for four weeks with testimony by both sides. Finally, the jury retired to determine the verdict. After two days the jury had reached a decision to acquit the prisoner. Judge: “What possible reason could you have for acquitting the prisoner?” Foreman: “Insanity, sir.” Judge: “What, all 12 of you?”
Yesterday I was washing the car with my son. He said: “Dad, can’t you just use a sponge?”
Service memorial NE Sunday morning, the priest saw little Davey staring up at the large plaque that hung in the church’s foyer. The plaque was covered with names and small American flags were mounted on either side of it. “Father Donovan,” the
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boy asked, “what is this?” “Well, son, it’s a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service,” the priest said. They stood together quietly, staring at the memorial plaque. Davey softly asked: “Which service - the nine ‘o clock or the 10:30?”
Nothing is made in America anymore. I just bought a television set and it says ‘Built-in Antenna’. I don’t even know where that is. 1
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the heart and soul of plettenberg bay
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SOCIAL SCENE
11 March 2020
CXPRESS
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TWO DECADES OF ROSE-TINTED SERVICE: Rosie Jafta - pictured at left, and also featured in the photo at far left, taken of a younger but less experienced Rosie many moons ago - today celebrates 20 years of working at Plett Ski-Boat Club on Central Beach. Part of the furniture and quirky appeal that the club holds for many generations of members and friends, Rosie started working at ‘Ski’ when she was 34 years old. Bob Huckle was manager at the time and Rosie remembers making pies and sandwiches in the mornings and doing waitress training in the afternoons. In those days, there were only five staff waiters (including Rosie); two waiters, two chefs, and one person manning the scullery. The waiters split their day and evenings shifts and the club was not yet open the public; under the helm of Vanessa and Fanie Beneke it served local skippers and fishermen. Rosie fondly recalls how loaves of bread, cigarettes, and cold drinks were bought by these merry men of the sea. She says it feels like yesterday when she started working at the club. “I’m so grateful to still be part of Plett Ski-boat Club, and so proud of what it has become today,” she beams. Cheers to another 20 years, Rosie!
People, places & events
LOVING KNYSNA LITFEST: At Knysna Literary Festival from March 6-8, Ronnie Kasrils - who held ministerial positions in the national government from 1999 until 2008 - spoke about his most recent book ‘Catching Tadpoles’. He is flanked by organising committee member Sasha Campbell, at left, and festival founder Ling Dobson. At the top from left, Meudgelane Benn, Loretta Wagenaar, Geraldine Somerset, Elaine Spies, Zoliswa Mphekeleni and Muriel Petersen, senior librarians respectively of the Hornlee, Sedgefield, Khayalethu, Knysna, Masifunde and Rheenendal Libraries of Knysna Municipality, enjoy the event. At right above Quaanitah Hunter, author of ‘Balance of Power’ - which describes the rise of Cyril Ramaphosa to the position of South African president - meets with Percy Mdala High School learners, from left, Mihlali Ngalo, Ayabonga Wepulg and Isiphile Soko. - Timothy Twidle SIXTH WILDERNESS ARTS FEST ‘THE BEST’: Since the first tentative steps in 2015, the Wilderness Art Festival has gone from strength to strength, and this year exceeded expectations. Thanks to the efforts of principal organiser Carole Durant, the event has evolved from being just a local occasion to a regional one and, this year to a national one with exhibitors coming from across SA. More than 100 artists participated and - although because entrance was free, it was hard to quantify - there were far more visitors than in previous years. A charity event on Friday February 28, Night of 1000 Drawings, raised R31,900 for the Seven Passes Initiative. From the traditional Afrocentric themes of the event’s early years, 2020 saw more dynamic, impressionistic exhibits with influences from, among others, Picasso. In future, it may well be that Wilderness becomes to static art what Oudtshoorn and Grahamstown are to the performing arts. Pictured at left is ‘Reflections in a Lake’ by Ryan Loubser, who conveys a three-dimensional effect with paint protruding on the surface. At centre below ‘My Serenity’ by organiser Carole Durant depicts geese on a black background; at left, Colin Burgess’s dynamic piece is entitled ‘Gladiators’; below is ‘Autumn Splash’ by Gill Dodington. - Bob Hopkin
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CXPRESS
11 March 2020
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CLASSIFIEDS
ON THE SOAPBOX
11 March 2020
Letters to the Editor
Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600
It’s time to take responsibility for baboons The arrival of baboon troops - mostly on the southern side of Plett have now become a major problem. They are getting into people’s homes, destroying everything they find, killing livestock and attacking dogs. Our Baboon Chat Group is full of suggestions and remedies and, as usual, you have those ‘for’ and those ‘against’, most of the latter resolving to handle the menace themselves. We are told we are invading their space; however, when we moved to Plett 20 years ago, there was not a baboon in sight in any residential areas. There have been discussions on getting so-called experts from different parts of the country to come and advise us on the action to be taken, but I fear there will be
nothing new to add. Some of the alpha males in the group are very large and intimidating but, I have noticed, will run off when confronted. They are also more frightened of men than women, but will take any chance they can get in their hunt for food for themselves and their ever-growing families, which seem to be breeding faster than rats or rabbits. Cape Town as well as many of the wine farmers appear to have appointed baboon watchers. This idea has also been discussed for Plett, but I don’t think we are going to get much assistance from CapeNature, who maintains it is the responsibility of Bitou Municipality - which I believe to be correct. This service should be covered
by the rates we pay. Over holiday seasons, we see a huge increase in khaki-clad law enforcement personnel, who walk around in groups of five or so. The same five also set to issuing parking tickets aplenty. Apparently, we do have a number of law enforcement staff only seen occasionally in town. Why can’t some of these municipal employees be used to react to baboon callouts from residents and respond accordingly? Surely this is the responsibility of Bitou Municipality, and not that of private security companies - as was witnessed in Maplin Drive on Sunday morning, when an ADT officer was slowly driving down the road before getting out of his car and going down several drive-
ways to chase baboons off the properties. It can’t be too long before there is a serious incident, possibly involving baboons and a young child or an elderly person. Do we have to wait for this to happen before action is taken? The time of talking about it is over. Robberg Resident, Plett (The bothersome baboon issue has been debated on these pages before - turn to page 11 of the July 10, 2019 edition at www. cxpress.co.za and read ‘A different kind of looting’ - but we will endeavour to procure an update from Bitou Municipality on the progress made in terms of training ‘baboon chasers’ as part of the expanded Public Works mentioned by CapeNature head Henk Nieuwoudt in this context last year. - Eds.)
Hats off to Knysna Provincial and George Regional hospitals On the afternoon of Saturday February 22 I fell and broke the base of the radius bone of my left forearm. Mike Driver, chair of the Board of Trustees of Castleton the complex in which I reside in Plettenberg Bay - and his spouse, Eveleigh, kindly rushed me through to Knysna Provincial Hospital, and the fracture was stabilised in a plaster cast. On the following Monday, they drove me to
George Regional Hospital, where I was admitted. On the Tuesday I underwent surgery in the operating theatre as a result of which the fracture was secured with a metallic pin and then bandaged into a rigid support. By the next day, Wednesday February 26, I was discharged from hospital and driven home by my son, Hedley. Throughout this time, people in Plettenberg Bay and at Castleton have been
the very essence of help and kindness, for which I thank them profusely. In particular, I would like to praise and commend the devotion to duty and the professionalism of everybody at both Knysna Provincial Hospital and George Regional Hospital. The treatment that I received at these two establishments was absolutely first rate. To the surgeons, doctor and nurses, as well the administrative, cleaning
and kitchen staff, the porters and all others in the employ of both hospitals, I thank you with every fibre of my heart, body and soul for the superb care that I received - I am forever indebted to you. There are many things in the Western Province of SA that we can be truly grateful for. Well done Knysna, heartfelt thanks to George and a big pat on the back to the Western Cape Government. TR Twidle, Plett
Feedback on Plettenberg Bay parking-bay thieves In CXPRESS of February 26, Differently-abled Awareness Campaign founder Rita Hardaker reported on the continued abuse of disabled parking bays by able-bodied drivers, and invited feedback from affected readers in order to address the situation I have spent many months being completely bedridden. Now I am able to get around with the help of a walker or in a wheelchair - praise God! On the occasions that I visit town for errands or to see doctors, the special parking spaces are mostly full, sadly often occupied by able-bodied people - including policemen in official vehicles. I tried to take a photo, but was not quick enough. It is really frustrating, as walking with the walker is very tiring and one can’t walk far at all.
I have just had pins inserted into both femurs to stabilise and prevent them from breaking. But one did break indeed. Walking is a challenge I gratefully accept, but it is essential that able-bodied people do not occupy bays for the disabled. I did not choose to be disabled, but this is my life’s journey. This is my experience. Michelle Minnaar, Plett --I salute you with gratitude for addressing the misuse of disabled parking bays. I am disabled and need to walk with
crutches - but then only for very short distances. Where possible, I make use of a travel scooter in wheelchair-friendly shopping centres. For this reason, I absolutely depend upon the comfort of dedicated disabled parking bays. I have a permit issued by the traffic authorities, for which I had to pay a fee, and also the medical support supplied by my doctor, as required in the relevant application form. Members of the ‘run in quickly brigade’ are the most common of the disre-
gardful, causing immense frustration to the disabled. I also have had cases where the perpetrator disrespectfully ignore me when enquiring whether they have an official permit. Then there are those who just display a wheelchair sign, without the visible presence of an official permit. Mrs Hardaker, I fully support you in any actions you might contemplate and would love to join you when you do manage to obtain an audience with our traffic authorities. Daan Freislich, Plett
To whom it may concern… On January 15, there appeared on this page a letter from ‘Brick-pathfinders, Plett’. CXPRESS has been contacted by a person who believes he is the homeowner referred
to in that letter. This person advises that: • He fully complied with all responsibilities to local authorities. • He obtained all necessary permissions from
relevant authorities before proceeding. • He did not dispose of any refuse illegally. • His actions were suggested to him by law enforcement officers as
a means of ejecting vagrants and improving safety and security of users of the pathway. No further correspondence will be entertained in this regard.
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What’s he gonna do, how long’s he gonna last?! On page 3 of your edition dated March 4 [read ‘Ratepayers’ pockets likely to be bettered to get Knysna fluid once more’ at www.cxpress.co.za], the Knysna acting municipal manager is quoted as saying that in order to fix the municipality’s financial disaster, among other things they will “freeze all unfilled posts”. Then, on page 4 it is an-
nounced that Knysna Municipality welcomes a new IDP manager! Well does that not say it all - yet another departmental director? By the way, I challenge anybody to read his job description next to his photograph and explain what he is going to do and how long he is going to last… ‘Richard of Knysna’
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CXPRESS
SPORT & ADVENTURE
11 March 2020
Countdown begins to BUCO Adventure Weekend - now boasting a new challenge for multi-sport athletes N a month from today, the annual sporting Easter fun on offer in Plett - thanks to generous sponsorship from BUCO - kicks off at Cairnbrogie Trail Park on the Airport Road where, from 7:30am to 4pm, a full day of activities and competitions will be sure to entertain athletes and other animals. On Saturday April 11,
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a market and entertaining activities for the whole family will serve as fundraiser for #SoundsThe Call, with fun mountain bike races and the BUCO Adventure Trail Runs catering for racers of all fitness levels. Courses include a 1.5km kiddies run with other options being the 5km, 12km and 16km trail runs. Regis-
tration is from 7:30am and the first race kicks off at 8:30 - visit www.entrytick ets.net to book online and ensure your spot at the starting line. The Kids Fun Ride is a cross country style event where kids ride a 2.5km lap as many times as they can muster in the span of an hour. Age categories include U10, U12, and U14
(that being the child’s age as from January 1, 2020). On Sunday April 12, the action moves to the Keurbooms River picnic site, availed by CapeNature just off the Plett N2. The BUCO Easter Multisport Challenge is a new kid on the block of weekend events, and is sure to test top athletes - but with each distance being doable for the weekend warrior, too. The mountain bike ride will be split in two by a 5km trail run on purpose-built paths, while the run-to-bike transition will be a 5-minute drive away from the
starting area for those who choose the relay option. As has always been the case during past BUCO Adventure Weekends, the routes will take participants on some never-forded-before paths, as well as some familiar tracks for those used to cycling or running in and around Plett. The paddle will take place on Keurbooms River and participants will have the option to use either racing K1s, K2s, or surfskis for the 10km paddle. You can also choose to do a 5km paddle in plastic siton-tops, which opens the
paddle leg up to all multisport wannabes. Register from 8am, in time for the first starting gun at 9:30. Distances include: ride 12km, run 5km, ride 13km, paddle 10km (or 5km on kayaks) and categories cater for individual or pairs men and women (full course); individual men and women (ride-runride); relay men, women, mixed (full course); and relay men, women, mixed (ride-run-ride). Email race director James Stewart at muddyfoot@ roystonfarms.co.za or call 082 925 7885 for more info.
Knysna, Plett karate kids gain WP colours
Pictured above and below respectively are the Plett and Knysna teams that attended the SA JKA Western Province Championships held in Cape Town on February 29. Each of these disciplined girls and boys achieved WP colours and will go on to represent our province at the SA JKA National Champs to be held in Joburg on May 15 and 16. Hats off and good luck to, above at back from left, Aiden Whitehead, Matthew Lancaster, Luke Levin and Sebastian Claassen, with Ethan Gresse, Gabriella Kennedy, Caitlynne Lancaster, Alex Ritchie, and Zach de Wet in front; below at back from left are Madison Knight, Jack Thomopoulos, Delron Michello, Tiffany van Rooyen, Eli de Clerq, Tristan van Eyk, Sherquille Jaftha and Clare Bensley, with Jordyn Orpen, Shawn Nduna, Charne Terblanche and Tom Beneka in front. Local resident and karate instructor, sensei John Peach (5th Dan), is particularly pleased with and proud of these students’ performance and says their dedication to squad training and attendance records combined to ensure the excellent results achieved. See the gallery at www.cxpress.co.za for additional photos.
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