12 August 2015
Published every Wednesday by CXpress 2006 (Pty) Ltd - PO Box 1449, Plettenberg Bay 6600 - 6 Park Lane, Plettenberg Bay - Tel: 044 533 1004 - Fax: 044 533 0852 Email: editor@cxpress.co.za / advertising@cxpress.co.za Web page: www.cxpress.co.za Printed by Group Editors
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Photo: Belinda Coram
Lucian Attwood, a Grade 8 student at Wittedrift High, recently scored top spot with 34 correct answers in one minute during the Born in Africa times table competition, which saw 41 finalists from seven Bitou schools compete for prizes and accolades read all about it on page 6
Second Knysna victim dies p3
Meet John Gribble p5
Adieu, Graham p12
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CXPRESS
News & Views
12 August 2015
Excerpts from ‘The Story of Archerwood’ by Charles Westwood
How the Westwood family landed in Plett, and started changing a koppie into a cave...
IN HIS PRIME: This photo of Charles Westwood (2.12.1919 - 5.3.2015) dates from the days of his family’s arrival in Plett in the early 1960s, when ‘The Story of Archerwood’ begins - turn to page 2 of the March 25 edition at www. cxpress. co.za to read his obituary
Some years ago, CXPRESS was gifted with a copy of ‘The Story of Archerwood’, a limited edition booklet typed up and laid out in A5 format with Photostat images of an era in Plett history that warrants revisiting - and when its author, the legendary Charles Westwood passed away on March 5 this year, it was decided to serialise excerpts of the creator of Archerwood and The Cave’s remarkable story for your reading pleasure
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N January 2002, as we were driving past, we saw that the demolishers had started on The Cave, the last remaining part of Archerwood. Castleton had already swallowed up the caravan park, and Rod & Reel had been built on the site of the annexe. The hotel rooms and our family cottage had been broken down towards the end of 2001. We knew what was going to happen, but still felt heartsore that what had taken years of hard work to build up, should be brought down so quickly.
That week’s issue of Yjcv‚u" Pgy" kp" Rngvv carried an article called ‘The End of an Era’ which prompted me to enlarge on the theme and write the whole story of how Archerwood began. THE START OF A DREAM In 1961, I purchased a" Bedford 3-ton truck from Jurgens, having always wanted a mobile home with its own engine." The truck had belonged to the well-known comedian Al Debbo, who had travelled around the country entertaining people.
We [Charles, his wife Hylda and three sons Mick, Rob, and Jeff] travelled along the coast ending up at Plettenberg Bay, where my dream of leaving Johannesburg and starting up a caravan park was born. We stayed at the Piesang Valley caravan park which was run by a Mr Venter. One day we got a lift into town and by the grace of God met Mr Ernald Newdigate, a local estate agent who kindly drove us around to various locations showing us pieces of ground with the potential for a caravan park. None of them appealed to us, but finally he showed us a property on the highest point of town, which he thought might be for sale, but which he did not think was in a viable position for our purpose. We got out of the car on the entrance road into Plett and scrambled to the top of the hill. From there we had the most beautiful view as far as the lagoon, all of the bay and the mountains behind. We immediately fell in love with the site and felt we had to have this ground, which stretched from the road leading into Plett - now Marine Way - to the second bend of the Piesang Valley Road, bordered by the national road on one side and Ross Clark’s property on the seaward side. The property also included the ground where Shell Ultra City stands today and which then had on it a wood and iron shack occupied by the coloured school teacher Mike Harker, and which had been the first Post Office in the Plett area in the early 1900s. Ernald Newdigate talked to the owner, Mr Okkie Vermeulen, who had agreed to sell the 60 acres for R6,300. Only then did we raise the question of the availability of water. Mr Vermeulen took us to see Mr Uys Anderson, the Town Clerk. He assured us there would be no problem regarding water. We then finalised the deal verbally with Mr Newdigate and signed a promissory note to purchase for R6,300. Unfortunately, we could not give him a cash deposit, but gave a post-dated cheque
for R25 against my next salary cheque, with the sale of my Bryanston house to cover the balance. This amazingly enough was accepted; he must have liked us. By the end of 1964, I had built a wooden office and workshop and we really felt things were starting to take shape. That Christmas, several caravanning friends that we had met over the years came and stayed with us and helped lay out the sites on the property. I might mention here that we had cleared a temporary road up to the plateau where the caravan park was sited, which was quite a strenuous climb for a low-powered car pulling a van. This road originally went straight up through where The
Cave would be in future, but we had to change this route the following year and curve it around following the contour so that it was not so steep. In the beginning of 1965, we built a small shop and a takeaway kitchen to serve the caravan park and the coloured people in the area. THE TAKEAWAY During our first year in Plett operating our hot dog and hamburger shop for the caravaners, we were amazed at the
‘We finalised the deal verbally with Mr Newdigate and signed a promissory note to purchase for R6,300. Unfortunately, we could not give him a cash deposit, but gave a post-dated cheque for R25 against my next salary cheque’
ARRIVING: Our Bedford 3-ton truck, once transporting comedian Al Debbo around the country, served perfectly to fulfil Charles’ dream of a mobile home with its own engine
TAKE IT AWAY! Many teenagers were brought by their parents to have hamburgers and cold drinks at the town’s first takeaway café
number of people who came to buy from us, as we were the only takeaway establishment in Plett at the time. One very busy lunchtime during the season while frantically serving up hamburgers, hot dogs and chips, our gas cylinder to the fryer and griller ran out. It took several minutes to connect up the standby cylinder. At this time, we had chips par-cooked and hamburgers half-cooked with a number of people waiting for their orders. Grillers and fryers need time to warm up again, and we began to hear mutters from the waiting people that the service would have to improve. For some reason, a remark was passed between us in the kitchen to the effect that maybe we should tell them to come back the next day for a free burger as they would still have to wait a few more minutes to be served. We started laughing at the dreadful thought of having to cope with this lot again the next day, and the more we laughed the funnier it seemed. We ended up putting a raw hamburger between a bun and raw chips in a packet and handing these out to the impatient ones. By this time we were almost paralytic with mirth and the bemused customers inspecting their uncooked fare began to join in the general hilarity. A great many of these original customers who came to our takeaway hut later became regular patrons of the restaurant once it opened. THE CAVE Our thoughts now turned to one of my original ideas that we should cater for the teenage population as there was no entertainment of any kind for them in Plett at that time. Vq"dg"eqpvkpwgf000
News & Views
12 August 2015
CXPRESS
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Knysna’s Lindsay Street attack now counts two fatalities as husband succumbs to injuries Police are now investigating a double murder after the elderly husband of the Knysna woman who was brutally killed during a robbery just over a week ago, died in hospital on Saturday YOLANDÉ STANDER reports
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HE death of 67-yearold Brian Davis comes just days after police made headway with the case by tracking down several items stolen during the attack in which his wife was murdered, including the couple’s vehicle, in Port Alfred. They also arrested a woman for allegedly being in possession of the couple’s stolen goods. Police launched a manhunt on August 2 after 64-yearold Christine Ann Davis was found dead in the Davis’ Lindsay Street home in Knysna. Her husband was
brutally attacked and succumbed to his injuries on Saturday August 8. Police spokesman Captain Bernadine Steyn said earlier that a friend of the couple, who were both British citizens, had made the grisly discovery after she found the couple’s dog wandering in the street. When she took the dog to its owners, she came across the bloody crime scene and contacted the police. Christine’s body was found on the floor in the sitting room. She had had an open wound to her neck and sev-
Wittedrift community catches Knysna escapee
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dangerous criminal who escaped from a Knysna correctional facility just over a week ago is back behind bars thanks to vigilant Bitou residents and swift action by police. Police spokesman Lieutenant Marlene Pieterse said the escapee, Nickroy November, was arrested in Wittedrift at about 10am on Monday. She added that police responded to a call from a Plettenberg Bay Community Police Forum (CPF) member who informed them that members of the community had spotted and apprehended the escapee.
Several police units including the crime prevention unit and the flying squad responded. “On arrival the escapee was found where he was kept inside a car guarded by community members. The police thank the CPF member and the community for their assistance,” Pieterse said. Police launched a manhunt on August 2 after November escaped from the correctional facility in Knysna at about 12pm. Police did not provide information on how the prisoner escaped custody. /"[qncpfê"Uvcpfgt
eral injuries to her head. Her husband was found in the garage with open wounds to his body as well as blunt force trauma to his head, and was rushed to the George hospital. The couple’s green Isuzu Wizard bakkie as well as several other household items including a television, two laptops and a tablet were missing. “Excellent investigation done by members within the George cluster in conjunction with Port Alfred police led to the arrest of a woman at a house in Port Alfred. She was arrested on a charge
of possession of possible stolen property,” Steyn said. The couple’s bakkie and what is believed to be their TV, clothing and computer equipment were recovered at the house on Thursday. The woman is expected to
appear in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court this week. The murders rocked the usually tranquil holiday town and shocked neighbours who believed the street was a relatively safe area in Knysna.
The couple was new to Lindsay Street and was in the process of purchasing the home in which they were attacked. They had only recently moved to the Garden Route from Zimbabwe. Ictfgp"Tqwvg"Ogfkc
Tragedy strikes when Sedgefield couple burnt to death
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N elderly couple were killed in a house fire on Friday night August 7 at their home in Marigold Street, Sedgefield. The reportedly well-known and popular couple died along with their pets - two cats and two dogs.
Tony, 76, and Carol Herd, 71, were originally from the UK, but had lived in the area for some time, and Carol worked at a coffee shop in Sedgefield. Tony was confined to a wheelchair. The cause of the fire is
still being investigated but the house was completely razed and it is known that the fire spread extremely fast, with the emergency call coming into the Sedgefield fire station at just before 10pm. /"Pkmmk"Tkfng{
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CXPRESS
News & Views
12 August 2015
Baby porn case pends, even though police investigation was wrapped up by June
Yolandé Stander
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XACTLY seven months after a 37-year-old Plettenberg Bay computer engineer allegedly linked to a horrific international baby pornography network was arrested, the matter still has not gone to trial. The accused is set to again appear in the Knysna Regional Court on Friday after
his arrest at his Plett home on January 13. During his last appearance in the same court in June, police indicated that the investigation into the matter had been completed. He was apprehended after international police - including members of the Gauteng Family violence, Child pro-
tection and Sexual offences (FCS) unit and their Belgian counterparts - swooped on his home earlier this year following a lengthy investigation. He was tracked down by members of the Antwerp police child and sexual exploitation unit, who found his internet address on an ob-
scure chat room for alleged paedophiles with fetishes for the sexual abuse of babies in nappies. They identified his internet address by using a Belgium child pornography suspect’s profile after his arrest in October last year. Since his arrest, about 140 suspects have been identified with alleged links to possession and distribution of the same images allegedly found in the Plett accused’s possession. Several subsequent arrests
have been made elsewhere in South Africa as well as in Belgium, the USA, Pakistan, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, the Czech Republic, France, the UK, Canada, Algeria, Israel, Bolivia, Mexico, Austria, Brazil, Russia, Denmark, Ireland, and Croatia. The local matter has since made national and international headlines and sent shockwaves through the Garden Route community. It has also led to several children’s rights protests
and marches in Plettenberg Bay, and various groups are set to take a stand against child pornography at the Knysna Regional Court again on Friday. These include members of the Green Hearts of Plett and Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA). They do this in an attempt to put pressure on authorities to, among other demands, hand down harsher sentences to paedophiles and child abusers. Ictfgp"Tqwvg"Ogfkc
To what end would someone destroy display beautifying Plett’s main drag? Staff of First National Bank in Plettenberg Bay’s Main Street were horrified when arriving at work on the morning of August 4 to find that the glass of a lit display box containing historical photo material, on the walkway at the bank’s entrance, had been smashed to smithereens by vandals. Said one of the FNB management team: ‘I wish I knew who did it, and why. It displayed such beautiful photographs, capturing Old Plett. We arrived for work to find glass shards strewn all over the place. Fortunately, Bitou Municipality’s manager of Human Settlements, Mark Fourie, arranged for the removal of debris left behind by the perpetrators. He also arranged for the live power cables to be secured so there was no safety hazard. I think it’s tragic that people are so destructive.’ We would like to ask anyone with information in this regard to contact CXPRESS. Email editor@cxpress. co.za if you know more or have perhaps witnessed the incident.
Paws
Plett Animal Welfare Service
News & Views
12 August 2015
CXPRESS
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Diarise August 22 to learn more about Plett’s resurfacing shipwrecks
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HE notion of inviting a marine archaeologist to Plettenberg Bay with the express purpose of sharing information with local residents gained momentum when a great amount of interest was shown by members of Plett Ski-Boat Club upon the exposure of a wreck on the beach adjacent to the clubhouse after the big seas that lashed our coast during June. “Fortunately for the Club, member and retired geologist Tony Cain remembered a talk at Knysna U3A by marine archaeologist John Gribble about 12 years ago,
before relocating to the United Kingdom, and Tony managed to track him down,” explains Club secretary Sue van der Gaast. A small shipwreck committee was formed comprising Tony along with Charmaine Wild of Yjcv‚u"Pgy"kp"Rngvv" and Margaret Matzener, who recently published a booklet on some of the town’s history, including the more famous wrecks. “John agreed to come to Plettenberg Bay and we set a date for his visit for Saturday August 22, when he will be giving a talk in the Lagoon Room at the Beacon Island
Resort,” enthuses Sue. Tea, coffee and light snacks will be served at 11am and John’s talk will start at noon, followed by a short question and answer session. “Of course, no event is possible without the support of sponsors and Plett Ski-Boat Club and the shipwreck committee would like to extend enormous gratitude to the people and venues making John’s visit a reality. “Firstly, big thanks must go to Beacon Island Resort for hosting John and his wife, and to its Island Diner for providing our snacks and for the voucher so generously given
So, who is this Mister Gribble?
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OHN Gribble is the director of Sea Change - a United Kingdom-based company that provides archaeological services to a range of maritime industries and seabed users, including the marine aggregates and offshore renewable energy sectors. It also actively pursues opportunities to raise public awareness and understanding of underwater cultural heritage through educational and research projects and programmes. John has more than 18 years’ experience in maritime archaeology and historic environment management, initially as a maritime archaeological heritage manager and regulator in South Africa and, since 2005, as a maritime archaeological consultant in the UK. John obtained his Master’s degree in Archaeology from the University of Cape Town before joining South Africa’s National Monuments Council (now the South African Heritage Resources Agency - SAHRA) in 1994. In 1996, he was appointed as the NMC’s first full-time maritime archaeologist. During his time at the NMC and SAHRA, he was
IN THE KNOW: John Gribble
responsible for the day to day management of South Africa’s underwater cultural heritage at a national level, and also initiated and managed the National Survey of Underwater Heritage - a programme to monitor and record SA’s underwater cultural heritage. In 2005, John moved to the UK to join Wessex Archaeology as a project manager in its Coastal and Marine Section. In this capacity, he managed a wide range of commercial and strategic projects for a range of marine industry clients, including the marine aggregates and offshore renewable energy sectors. He was also responsible for initiating and manag-
ing an English Heritage and SAHRA-funded desk-based appraisal and geophysical survey of the wreck of the SS Mendi, which sank in the English Channel while carrying black South African labourers to France during World War I. In 2009, John joined EMU Limited (now Fugro EMU) in Southampton and then spent a year at the renewable energy consultancy PMSS (now TUV SUD PMSS) in Romsey, where he provided maritime archaeological consultancy services to both the offshore renewable energy and aggregate industries. John left PMSS in August 2012 to set up Sea Change. He has served on the ICOMOS International Committee for Underwater Cultural Heritage since 2000 and, as of 2010, has been a member of the UK’s Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee. He has been professionally accredited by the UK’s Institute for Archaeologists in 2005 and remains a member of the Association of Southern African Professional Archaeologists. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet John Gribble at the BI on Saturday August 22.
to our guests,” says Sue. The Club also thanks Luiz from LM in Plett for vouchers, The Print Shop, Ray
Friedman Photography, Barney’s Info Kiosk at The Market Square and, last but not least, Ocean Safaris. Tickets cost R50 per person and can be purchased at Plett Ski-Boat Club on Central
Beach or at Barney’s Info Kiosk at The Market Square. Please buy your tickets by Wednesday August 19 for catering purposes. Ugg" vjg" cfxgtv" qp" rcig" 34" hqt"cffkvkqpcn"kphqtocvkqp0 SECRETS REVEALED: Maritime archaeologist John Gribble will shed some light on a wreck that emerged from the sand close to Plett Ski-Boat Club during a public talk at the BI’s Lagoon Room - also read the story on page 2 of the July 22 edition at www. cxpress.co.za Photo: Adrian Keelips
History boffs to visit the bay
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HE next outing of the Simon van der Stel Foundation’s Southern Cape branch will be on August 29 to Plettenberg Bay. The day’s programme kicks off at 9:50am, when participants will meet at the Van Plettenberg beacon, near the corner of Meeding and Hopwood Streets, for a brief viewing. Governor Van Plettenberg paid a visit to the bay in November 1778 and erected the slate possessional stone to mark it as property of the Dutch East India Company (DEIC). • 10:15 - Drive down Meeding Street to Old Timber Shed erected for the DEIC in 1787 by burger Jan Jerling, on contract, to store wood
before its shipment by sea to Cape Town. • 10:20-10:45 - View Timber Shed ruins. ‘Contextualising the Van Plettenberg beacon and Timber Shed’ by Mike Kantey of the Plettenberg Bay Historical Society. • 10:55 - Meet Gwen and Gawie Fagan and Nick Opperman at the Old Rectory for an overview of its restoration and a discussion on the restoration of old buildings in general *vq"dg"eqphktogf+. • 11:40 - Proceed to St Peter’s Church. Talk on the history of Plettenberg Bay by Mike Kantey. (St Peter’s church was built according to plans provided by Mrs
Sophy Gray, wife of Bishop Robert Gray. Construction started in 1878 and the church was consecrated on 14 August 1881.) • 12:15 - Talk on Gothic Revival architecture and Mrs Sophy Gray, designer of St Peter’s and other Gothic Revival Anglican churches in SA by Natie de Swardt. • 12:50 - View the church and enjoy bring-from-home lunch or discover Plett’s excellent restaurants. Members of the Outeniqua Historical Society will also join in on the day. Call Linda Labuschagne on 079 617 4589 or email Linda. Labuschagne@westerncape. gov.za by August 25 if you would like to attend.
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CXPRESS
News & Views
12 August 2015
Born in Africa turns the (times) tables for clever Bitou learners Isabelle de Smul-Brink
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T Born in Africa (BIA), we believe that education is the fundamental right of every child. Mathematical literacy is one of the most neglected facets of educational development in our children. In light of this, BIA decided to inspire learners by organising a fabulous times table competition. All BIA learners in Grades 2-9 practised their times tables with their mentors, as well as during homework classes. The top learners in each age group were selected and, after months of preparation and in-house contests, competition day finally arrived on July 30. Learners were eager to take part and filled with nervous excitement. In the first round, they all took a written test and the top three in each age group were selected to go through to the next round, where they verbally answered as many questions as possible in one minute. Needless to say, the atmosphere was electric! Prizes and certificates were handed out to those who won first, second and third places and to those learners who showed the greatest improvement. All other participants also received certificates to congratulate them on being selected to take part. The session ended with a fun raffle, giving learners who had not received prizes the chance to win, with breaks in-between when they enjoyed refreshments and a light lunch. Thank you to everyone who made this special event possible. Our participating judges - Janet Harding, Adje Bos, Evangeline Koebert and Dalena Kleinsmidt - did a great job of keeping score. We were also joined by Zikisa Bam from Woolworths Plettenberg Bay, who lightened the atmosphere and inspired the children to keep working hard. To Mrs Grootboom and Wittedrift High School for accommodating us in the hostel’s study hall, thank you for the
BRIGHT STARS: Competition day was preceded by months of mentoring at the various local schools where BIA kids are taught - in the pic, overall winner Lucian Attwood and fellow Wittedrift student Ragne Cloete go through their study notes
KEEPING THE SCORE: The judges - seated from left are Janet Harding, Adje Bos and Evangeline Koeberg - did a great job of adjudicating the top times table performers; standing behind them are Zikisa Bam and Mozes Gebhuza, right, of Woolworths
CONCENTRATION STATIONS: Participants in the competition focus on the task at hand, with Isabelle de Smul-Brink overseeing their progress
perfect venue. We are grateful to Jef Michielsen and Plett Sports for sponsoring excellent prizes like bicycles, to Clare’s Cakes for the cupcakes, and to Woolworths for the food. And last not but least, I thank our BIA staff for being the driving force
behind it all. • Isabelle de Smul-Brink is the General Coordinator of Born in Africa. Email her at isabelle@borninafrica.org for further information or if you would like to contribute to the organisation’s great cause, and visit www.bornin africa.org to find out more.
Notice Board RCYU"UVTGGV" EQNNGEVKQP Please support the next Plett Animal Welfare Services street collection on Friday August 14 from 9am to 1pm at various sites around Plettenberg Bay. These collections are an important source of revenue for the primary health care services provided to the Bitou community’s many dogs and cats. Call Di Butlin on 082 569 2571 if you can help for an hour on the day. RCXCTQVVK"VTKDWVG"CV"
MP[UPC"FTE"JCNN Local fans of classical music and opera are reminded to diarise Tribute to Pavarotti by Claude Schmidt and friends, which pleased its audience no end during a recent performance in Plett, and is scheduled to play in Knysna on August 21 at 6pm for 6:30. Please note that the venue had changed (turn to page 9 of the August 5 edition at www.cxpress.co.za), from Thesen Islands to the Knysna Dutch Reformed Church hall. Call Claude on 078 744 1042 and see the
advert on page 10 for additional information. UVGXG"PGYOCP"("EQ" CV"VJG"DCTP The Crags Eco Preschool presents Steve Newman & The Scarecrows at The Barn in The Crags on September 5. Doors open at 6:30pm and entry costs R100 - a steal at the price, if you consider the combined talents of the legendary Newman, Bill Knight and Chris Davidson. Call 082 394 1504 to book and visit www.thebarns.co.za for more information.
Business
12 August 2015
CXPRESS
The brief account of Long Story’s quick sale W
HEN June Steyn decided to move to Formosa Garden Village and gave Sotheby’s International Realty Plettenberg Bay a mandate on her home at 8
Daedalus Reef Drive, she was not expecting it to sell within a week. The family home got its name, Long Story, from June’s children saying “here comes
Plett tops when the super wealthy select second-home towns
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CCORDING to a recent New World Wealth (NWW) study, Plett is the top spot countrywide when the super-rich buy their second homes, with about 260 multimillionaires owning an additional property in the town. NWW defines ‘super rich’ as multi-millionaires with net assets of R120-million (US$10-million) or more, and claims that SA boasts 2,060 of these individuals since last year, with a combined wealth of US$111-billion. Its data further reveal that about 990 of these have primary residences in Johannesburg, with 380 residing in Cape Town, 115 in Durban and 105 in Pretoria, but that the owners of second homes in Plett hail primarily from the Cape and Joburg. “Plett also boasts over 120 homes valued at R20-million or more - the highest of any
town in SA with the exception of Johannesburg and Cape Town,” said NWW, adding that runners up in the most sought-after second-home towns were KwaZulu-Natal’s Umhlanga and La Lucia. Knysna currently lies third on the list with Stellenbosch fourth, while the third Garden Route town on the list is Wilderness in sixth place. CX Country also rates top when it comes to estates preferred by South Africa’s wealthiest, with Fancourt in George the most popular estate for super rich home buyers (80 multi-millionaires own second homes here), and Knysna’s Pezula Golf Estate in third spot (60). Second and fourth positions on this list are taken up by Zimbali in KZN (70) and Pearl Valley in the Western Cape (30). *yyy0dwukpguuvgej0eq0|c+
Investor Focus Malcolm Stewart – Investment manager at Michaelides Parker Wealth Knysna & Plett
Exchange Traded Funds: The Satrix DIVI
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HE Satrix DIVI is also one of the so called “smart” ETFs. It is a dividend yield, weighted index, designed to select and measure the performance of highyielding stocks within the universe of the JSE Top 40 Index as well as the JSE Midcap index. It consists of the top 30 dividend-paying stocks based on the market consensus of one year dividend forecasts - i.e. not on the past year’s dividends, but on what market professionals expect them to pay in the next 12 months. Take note that it is based on the best 30 dividend yields in the specific universe. It does not take dividend history or dividend sustainability into account. This could have an adverse effect on capital performance (appreciation) over the short term. The companies are also screened for liquidity, while property companies (in other words RIETS) are excluded. The components are reviewed bi-annually. The historical returns are as follows: 2.8% over one year and 8.6% over three years. This does not, however, include any dividends that you would have received. The shares included are as
follows: • Assore 5.3% • Vodacom 4.5% • Coronation 4.3% • Reunert 4.1% • Kumba 4.0% • Sasol 4.04% • Billiton 4.04% • Barclays A (Absa) 3.8% • African Rainbow Minerals 3.6% • Exxaro 3.6% These 10 companies make up only ±41% of the ETF, so it is in fact well diversified. The share size categories are also interesting with only 7.16% in the giants, 30.9% in large caps, 44.9% in mid caps, and 16.9% in small caps (these are still within the midcap index). The current P/E ratio is ±12.4%, while the historical dividend is an attractive 5.6%. This ETF, while appearing to be pedestrian in its performance, will provide the investor with a growing income stream over the long term. An investor who reinvests the dividends into the ETF will ultimately show sound growth due to the compounding effect of the mounting dividends. Ocneqno"jcu"dggp"kp"vjg" kpxguvogpv"kpfwuvt{"hqt"qxgt" 62"{gctu0"Jg"jcu"ytkvvgp" vjku"eqnwop"kp"EZRTGUU" hqt"vjg"ncuv"39"{gctu"cpf"ku" c"urgekcnkuv"kp"ocpcikpi" tgvktgf"ygcnvj0
another long story” when her husband reminisced. June gave Fiona Thorpe a seven-month joint sole mandate that was meant to cover the busy summer sales season, but a few days later Carrie Maclean, Fiona’s colleague, had an enquiry from a buyer whose requirements were met by Long Story. The buyers saw the home and fell in love with it because, apart from meeting all their needs, it sported special touches like parquet flooring,
TIMING IS EVERYTHING: June Steyn, centre, was elated when the family home, Long Story, sold swiftly at the right price, but Sotheby’s Plett agents Carrie Maclean and Fiona Thorpe, right, weren’t surprised as they marketed the property to specifically and immediately draw the attention of serious purchasers
7 and they could tell that it was a much-loved home. They also loved the name of the house, which will remain. Fiona says the reason for the fast sale was correct pricing and good timing. The house sold for the right price, which was not below market value, and because it was not overpriced it drew the attention of serious buyers immediately. For a free valuation or property-related queries, please contact Sotheby’s International Realty Plettenberg Bay on 044 533 2529, and see the adverts on page 1 and 3 for current listings.
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CXPRESS
Interval
12 August 2015
KREDIETKAART: Iets wat die meeste mense gebruik as hulle ontdek dat geld nie alles kan koop nie.
How consultants can benefit an organisation
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AST week, my wife and I took some friends to a new restaurant called ‘Steve’s Place’ and noticed that the waiter who took our order carried a spoon in his shirt pocket. It seemed a little strange. When the busboy brought our water and utensils, I observed that he also had a spoon in his shirt pocket. Then I looked around and saw that all the staff had spoons in their pockets. When the waiter returned to serve our soup I inquired: “Why the spoon?” “Well,” he explained, “the restaurant’s owner hired Andersen Consulting to revamp all of our processes. After several months of analysis, they concluded that the spoon was the most frequently dropped utensil. It represents a drop frequency of approximately three spoons per table per hour. “If our personnel are better prepared, we can reduce the number of trips back to the
O
kitchen and save 15 manhours per shift.” As luck would have it, I dropped my spoon and our waiter replaced it with his spare. “I’ll get another spoon next time I go to the kitchen instead of making an extra trip to get it right now,” the waiter said. I was impressed. I also noticed that there was a string hanging out of the waiter’s fly. Looking around, I saw that all of the waiters had the same string hanging from their flies. So, before he walked off, I asked the waiter: “Excuse me, but can you tell me why you have that string right there?” “Oh, certainly!” Then he lowered his voice: “Not everyone is so observant. That consulting firm I mentioned also learned that the staff can save time in the restroom. “By tying this string to the
I quietly asked: “After you get it out, how do you put it back?” “Well,” he whispered, “I don’t know about the others, but I use the spoon.”
PROFESSION? Son.
Keep it in the family
NE day little Johnny says to his father: “I want to get married.” Father asked: “Oh, so do you have someone special in mind?”
Johnny: “Yes. I want to marry Grandma.” Father: “What? You want to marry my mother?” Johnny: “Why not? [qw married o{ mother.”
Have you paid our bills?
A
tip of our you-know-what, we can pull it out without touching it and eliminate the need to wash our hands, shortening the time spent in the restroom by 76.39%.”
MERICANS Abe and Esther are flying to Australia for a two-week holiday to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Suddenly, over the public address system, the captain announces: “Ladies and gentlemen, I am afraid I have some very bad news. Our engines have ceased functioning and we will attempt an emergency landing. “Luckily, I see an uncharted island below us and we should be able to land on the beach. However, the odds are that we may never be rescued and we will have to live on the island for the rest of our lives!” Thanks to the skill of the flight crew, the plane lands safely on the island. An hour later, Abe turns to
his wife and asks: “Esther, did we pay our $5,000 PBS pledge cheque yet?” “I’m afraid not, sweetheart,” she responds. Abe, still shaken from the crash landing, then asks: “Esther, did we pay our American Express card yet?” “Oh, no! I’m sorry. I forgot to send the cheque,” she says. “One last thing, Esther. Did you remember to send cheques for the Visa and Mastercard this month?” Abe asks. “Oy, forgive me, Abie,” begs Esther. “I didn’t settle those, either.” Abe grabs his wife and gives her the biggest kiss in 40 years. Esther pulls away and asks: “What was that for?” Abe answers: “They yknn find us!”
INTELLIGENCE You can’t buy it.
Social Scene
12 August 2015
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CXPRESS
FULL HOUSE OF GELDENHUYS: Henry Geldenhuys celebrated 70 years young last weekend, surrounded by near and dear ones from here and far. With him in the pic is his son Henry, left, who travelled with his family from the UK for the occasion, his best girl Jolyn, and beloved better half Glynis.
GOOD GARDEN ROUTE MIX: At the sixth Knysna-Plett Concert of the year, held on the evening of Wednesday August 5, concert-goers enjoyed a miscellany of Renaissance and baroque music, performed by Andrew Cruikshank on harpsichord, Colleen Oxtoby on viola da gamba, and tenor Sandile Mabaso. Among the audience were, from left, Marina Smuts of Knysna, Marie Wagener from Nature’s Valley, and Brenda Scott of Plettenberg Bay.
BETTER STATION, BEST TRUCK: Karatara fire station has been upgraded to house its newly refurbished and fully equipped fire engine. Construction began at the end of May and was completed a month later, and the new building was officially opened on August 6. Pictured from left in the back row are Planning and Development director Mike Maughan-Brown, Protection Services manager Steven Langlands, Ward 2 councillor Louisa Hart, Safety and Security superintendent Richard Meyer, Knysna mayor Georlene Wolmarans, Community Services director Dawie Adonis, Chief Fire Officer Clinton Manuel, volunteer fireman Ben van Jaarsveldt, and Station Commander Wayne Sternsdorf. In front from left are senior firefighter Alroy Dirk, firefighter reservist Chestler Kamineth, firefighter Brandon Cunningham, and firefighter Jafta Gelant, along with a young and unnamed fireman in training.
DANCE THE DAY AWAY: Monique Zondagh of Hornlee Youth Centre sent us this photo with news of an event held at Hornlee Civic on July 31. ‘Hornlee Got Talent was about uplifting the youth of the community and showing that there is lots of talent here, and that all we need is a platform. There were different items on the programme to entertain the people and the show was a huge success, so in future more events like this will be organised to keep our young people busy.’ The pic shows Antonio in action - one of the dancers on the night, who started a hip hop dance group in the ‘hood a couple of Saturdays ago. Says Monique: ‘He is one of the best dancers in Hornlee and hopes to keep youngsters away from alcohol and drugs with this fun and healthy alternative. We here at HYC thank everyone who supports our projects in the community.’
Photos: Mandy McNicol
Photo: Michelle Benn
Photo: Timothy Twidle
People, places & events
NOTHING LIKE YOUR OWN SET OF WHEELS: Fighting the weekend’s winter weather with cosy clothes - and by taking turns on a fast and shiny car are, clockwise from left, Becky McNicol, Lola Ferreira, Naimh Geldenhuys, Luc Jackson, and James McNicol.
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CXPRESS
Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za
12 August 2015
Classifieds
On the Soapbox
12 August 2015
Letters to the Editor
CXPRESS
Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600
Could we please stop the religious intolerance? I noted the letter in CXPRESS dated July 29 headed ‘Anecdotes offend’ and it got me thinking [turn to page 11 of that edition at www.cxpress.co.za]. Why, oh why, do people have to be so intolerant when it comes to THEIR religious beliefs? This matter seems to be a worldwide blight on humanity at present! Attacking your ‘Go on... have a laugh’ page because of its light-hearted references to God and Jesus really is so unnecessary - particularly as
one of the ‘yarns’ referred to [in the July 1 issue] is more a Bible class lesson in vanity than a joke, in any case. It is this sort of over the top sensitivity that not only promotes violence between religious beliefs but makes film dialogue almost incomprehensible as you try and work out whether they have ‘bleeped out’ a swear word or religious reference! Writer, if you can’t cope with the light-hearted, harmless humour of the ‘Go on… have a laugh’ page, then
don’t read it and leave the rest of us to form our own opinions. I, for one, am still laughing at the old courting couple and the electric fence joke - or should this not have been printed because it is ageist and contains sexual references?! The God I believe in is tolerant and forgiving and, I like to think, has a sense of humour. By the way, you might want to recognise the fact that CXPRESS is by far the best of the free local publications. It
has seamlessly transformed from a bi-weekly to weekly publication, is of a worldclass standard, and is a huge bonus to the local community. So how about a little bit of due credit? By the way, does the practice of religious ‘devotees’ attacking journalists to highlight their own depth of belief, sound familiar to anyone…? As the comedian Dave Allen used to sign off: ‘May YOUR God go with YOU.’ flVqngtcpeg‚."Mgwtdqqou
Meet Plettenberg Bay Airport’s newest recruit
AGENT ORANGE: John Larter finally managed to capture Moby in her new uniform and wrote: ‘She would not stand still whenever I wanted to take the photo!’ - well done on persevering, John, for now commuters will know where to pay their respects and pat a furry head when departing from Plett Airport
R54k benefits local charities after excellent Knysna Motor Show This is just a short wrap up letter to let you know how the Garden Route Motor Club’s 2015 Motor Show fared. After much work by the organising committee and a very successful show, the Club was able to raise sufficient monies to allow for a distribution of some R54,000 - this in spite of increased costs to stage the Knysna Motor Show - to the following charities and institutions active in the Garden Route region: Hospice, Knysna Animal Welfare, E-Pap, Knysna High School (funding to support under-privileged school fees), FAMSA, Change for Change, Epilepsy SA, and
Knysna Sea Cadets. The weather played along and a great day was had by all, so a big thank you goes to everyone who participated either by showing their cars, providing refreshments and, most importantly, the public. Without visitors to the show, the Club would not be able to assist the various beneficiaries. To all our advertisers and media who carried our adverts and provided editorial, not to mention affording us favourable rates, a big thank you. We look forward to working with you again next year. Rgvgt"Rtgvqtkwu"qdq"Ictfgp" Tqwvg"Oqvqt"Enwd
MOTOR SHOW MONEY GOES A LONG WAY: Representatives from the respective charities scoring from this year’s Knysna Motor Show, along with Garden Route Motor Club’s Peter Pretorius, seated in front, and Duncan Miller, second from right, during the hand-over on July 16
Two extremely well-known personalities at Plett Airport are a black border collie called Flash, and a small nondescript terrier, Moby. Both these dogs belong to nearby residents Mark and Pam Porter, but they have made the airport their second home. This has been the case for as long as can be remembered. Russell Honeywell, our extremely active and efficient airport manager, realised that Moby would need a raincoat in the season’s wet weather. He then went
the extra mile and altered the terrier’s new threads into a reflective jacket for high visibility. Mark, on seeing this excellent innovation, took the pooch’s raincoat to his signwriting company and added the wording ‘Plettenberg Bay Airport Ground Crew Security’. So now we have our very own, unofficial sniffer dog on duty. Look out for her next time you call at the airport. I’m sure she will be glad to meet you. Lqjp"Nctvgt."Rngvv
On the tragic death of Cecil the Lion Hunting is a coward’s pastime. If, as has been reported, this dentist and his guides lured Cecil out of the park with food so as to shoot him on private property - because shooting him in the park would have been illegal - he needs to be extradited, charged, and, preferably, hanged. To get a thrill at the cost of a life, this man gunned down beloved lion Cecil with a highpowered weapon. All wild animals are beloved by their own mates and infants, but to hunters like this overblown, over-privileged little man, who lack empathy, understanding, and respect for living creatures, they are merely targets to kill, decapi-
tate, and hang up on a wall as a trophy. The photograph of this dentist, smiling over the corpse of another animal, who, like Cecil, wanted only to be left in peace, will disgust every caring soul in the world. Kpitkf"Pgymktm"/" Hqwpfgt."RGVC"Cukc/ Rcekhke *Hqt" vjqug" pqv" {gv" kp" vjg" mpqy."Egekn"ycu"c"ngigpf/ ct{"nkqp"nwtgf"qwv"qh"c"pc/ vkqpcn" rctm" kp" \kodcdyg" vq"dg"ujqv."umkppgf"cpf"fg/ ecrkvcvgf"d{"cp"Cogtkecp" fgpvkuv"qp"c"pgkijdqwtkpi" rtqrgtv{0" Vjku"ngvvgt"ycu"cfftguugf" vq"EZRTGUU"cu"c"tguwnv"qh" qwt"eqxgtcig"qh"vjg"Dnqqf" Nkqp" ecorckip" /" vwtp" vq" rcig"4"qh"vjg"Lwn{"4;"gfk/ vkqp" cv" yyy0ezrtguu0eq0|c" hqt"vjg"hwnn"uvqt{0"/"Gfu0+
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CXPRESS
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Sport & Adventure
12 August 2015
Life’s a journey - and, by golly, did Graham enjoy the ride! Plett petrolhead and multi-sportsman Graham Yendall passed away last month, so we deemed our Sport & Adventure page an apt spot for this tribute, lovingly penned by his partner SYLVIA HARVEY
LUST FOR LIFE: Graham Yendall (18 July 1946 - 26 July 2015) was in good spirits and in great health before passing away a week after his 69th birthday
I
T is with great sadness that we bid farewell to a much loved life-partner, father, grandfather, brother, and cherished friend. Graham’s love of wheels started with a three-wheeled tricycle, racing his dog around the yard, then his sister in a pram... He had his first taste of motor racing when he entered one of his hand-built beach buggies in a gymkhana organised by the Volkswagen Club. Having won all the prizes, he progressed to gokart racing. Graham entered the Castrol International Rally in a Daihatsu Charade and was selected twice to race for the South African team in England. Sadly, a broken ankle put paid to his short but successful racing career. In his younger years, Graham also excelled in baseball, karate, fishing, hunting, bird and clay pigeon shooting - an arsenal of accolades that won him an Atlas Sportsman of the Year award for 1980/81. When moving to Plett in 1983, Graham joined the
South African Police Reservists for eight years and worked his way up to become the Deputy Station Commander of Plett NSRI. After owning numerous businesses, Graham retired when he sold Amakaya Backpackers in 2010. Never tiring from sporting pursuits, he also completed 11 Argus cycle tours. Graham was a much-loved member of the Garden Route Motor Club and the Southern Cape MG Club. He was a genuine petrolhead and will be sorely missed in those circles and far beyond. Graham passed away on Sunday July 26 after a heart attack - one week after his 69th birthday. Graham ended his autobiography with these words, which epitomised his life: “Remember... Life’s a Journey... Enjoy the Ride!”
BRILLIANT CAREER BEHIND THE WHEEL: Graham, pictured here in front of a wall of racing memorabilia, entered the Castrol International Rally in a Daihatsu Charade and was selected twice to race for the South African team in England
ON THE HIGH ROAD: Graham and Sylvia attended the Goodwood Revival in West Sussex in the UK last year - an auspicious occasion in motoring history as it included three big anniversaries: the 60th birthday of both the voluptuous Jaguar D-type Le Mans racer and the Maserati 250F Formula One car, as well as 50 years since Sir Jackie Stewart made his stunning debut in a single-seater car at the Goodwood circuit
Rynhardt Jacobs of Plett started riding at the ripe old age of 16 with his grandfather, who has 23 Argus cycle tours under his belt. The youngster quickly achieved his SWD colours and boasts a bunch of podium positions in the Western Cape races, for example the Makro Bestmed where this pic was taken. Last year he ended third in the Western Cape championships and made the WC cycling team, which he represented at nationals in Bloemfontein... and won! Now 19, he rides for the U/23 team and receives coaching from the internationally acclaimed Barry Austen. Rynhardt finished the Knysna Oyster fest 109km race right behind the victorious Nolan Hoffman (2:43:57) and his Team Abantu, along with team mates in a time of 2:44:11. His parents, Marlize and Christo of DC Motors in Plett, thank Club MTN 100’s Allan Kuhnert, Danie Erasmus, and Jan Minnie for taking Rynhardt under their wing, and Kevin Evans for providing continued inspiration. You haven’t heard the last of this young cycling champ - and remember, you heard it here first!
Keep your eye on this one...