12th February 2020 by CXpress

12 February 2020

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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Great excitement was caused by a whale washing up on Hobie Beach in 1964. These and other events of greater and lesser historic significance will be discussed during the inaugural Plett History Fest from February 13 to 15 - find out more on pages 2, 4 and 9.

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NEWS & VIEWS

12 February 2020

Heritage meander and talk on the trot to conclude inaugural Plett History Festival The final event in the exciting line-up of this weekend’s Plett History Festival offerings is scheduled for 2pm sharp on Saturday February 15 EIGH Dunn - a third generation Plett resident whose family history stretches back as far as 1891 - is an executive member of the Van Plettenberg Historical Society. Leigh will be doing a heritage stroll and a talk on Plett’s original Coloured families this Saturday. Living in the centre of town, along Piesang Valley, Robberg and the Bitou River, these families were forced to move by the Group Areas Act, which was implemented throughout South Africa in 1968. This era will be discussed, along with related historical snippets. In his presentation, Leigh will also share anecdotes of a personal friend, Yusuf Daniels, author of 2019’s South African bestseller Living Coloured - Because Black and White were already taken. Leigh is a direct descendant of captain Robert Charles Harker - Plett’s first postmaster and magistrate, whose family is buried at the Harker graves in Poortjies, which has been declared as national heritage site. His grandfather, Michael William Dunn, was the first headmaster of the first multi-racial school in Plett since 1912. Leigh has done similar presentations to Van Plettenberg His-

ON THE BEACH: The Harker, Dunn, Carolissen, Johansen, and Eriksen families enjoy an outing to Hobie Beach circa 1948

gium and the Netherlands. The heritage talk and tour will take a maximum of one hour - an easy route with zero strain level. People joining in this special afternoon will receive sponsored souvenirs and memorabilia to celebrate Plett’s inaugural History Festival, so do not miss out. Meet Leigh at The Old Rectory Hotel near Hobie Beach on Saturday at 1:45pm. Admission is free. Turn to page 9 of the January 29 edition at www. cxpress.co.za for the full History Fest programme.

THAT WAS THEN: The old Post Office in Marine Drive, where Plett’s Upper Deck now stands

torical Society (July 2018) and Plett PROBUS (Professional Business) members (September 2019), and is often invited to present historical talks and tours.

He is a SSETA-accredited educator, tutor, life coach and motivational speaker, who has travelled extensively in pursuit of educational research in Bel-

ADDED EXTRAS: Some of the goodies that attendants to Leigh’s talk are to receive

NEWS & VIEWS

12 February 2020

CXPRESS

Allegations of ghost companies, money extortion and underqualified staff countered with claims of racism A forensic investigation report into irregularities within Bitou Municipality, which saw the light last week, has caused a stir among municipal officials and politicians - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports ITOU Democratic Alliance PR councillor Bill Nel said the report conducted under the auspices of the Western Cape government, which was served on the municipality early in December, revealed several alleged irregularities. These included details of an alleged money laundering scheme conducted from mayor Peter Lobese’s office “to siphon vast sums of money from the municipal coffers under the guise of Grants in Aide to non-government organisations involved in community work among the poor and needy”. Nel said another aspect that was uncovered included alleged “ghost companies” that performed “no actual services”. Nel added that the report further found there were instances of alleged extortion of money in the form of donations under false pretences from business owners used to treat fellow mayoral and senior administrative staff members to regular free lunches “accompanied by copious amounts of liquor”. “Restaurant owners who rent municipal premises were intimidated to the point where bills exceeded R100,000 and were eventually settled by the municipality with ratepayers’ money,” Nel said the report revealed. Another concern highlighted, according to Nel, was that most members of the mayor’s political office

staff were allegedly underqualified for their positions. “Some were even without secondary school education. Most of these appointees were selected without following the prescribed recruitment procedures. “Another startling fact uncovered by the forensic investigators is that many of the ANC and AUF politicians as well as senior staff members like the municipal manager [at the time of the investigation] and CFO did not declare their personal business interests as prescribed by law. “In this regard, the mayor himself did not declare his personal interest in a funeral business. “The DA hopes that recommendations, including criminal charges and disciplinary actions, will be followed through. The problem, however, is that the speaker and municipal manager, who by law must spearhead these actions, are implicated in the report. “We will continue to keep a close eye on this matter and will not allow the AUF and ANC to disregard these very serious allegations.” Lobese has however hit back, saying that Nel’s statements were a desperate attempt to tarnish the image of the mayor and that of the Bitou council and administration to sustain “the racist approach that when a black person enters the office of pow-

er… whatever action is taken can only be motivated by corruption”. He said the report had been received by the municipality and had been properly processed in terms of the prescribed legislation, and that council adopted a “rulesbased process to implement its recommendations”. “The investigation covers the period of three years and was concluded in March 2019, but was curiously brought to the attention of the municipality nine months later, and as a result thereof many of its recommendations have in fact become redundant.” He added the main allegations made against the director of corporate services had been dealt with and she had since been disciplined and dismissed. “The allegations against the persons at the office of the mayor have been dealt with and anybody that has been suspected of unethical and illegal actions has been relieved of their responsibilities and is no longer in the employ of the municipality. “The accounting officer, being the municipal manager implicated in the report, resigned voluntarily and is no longer in the employ of the municipality. The remaining allegations against other persons and including the office of the mayor are being subjected to an independent scrutiny in the interest of accountability and

DA urges George mayor to resign by end of day HE DA has written to George mayor Melvin Naik requiring him to resign the office of the mayoralty within 48 hours. “Should Mr Naik refuse to do so by close of business on February 12, his membership of the DA will cease, and he will no longer

be a municipal councillor in George,” said Geordin Hill-Lewis MP, constituency head for George. “The allegations against Mr Naik are of such a serious and substantiated nature that it is only proper that he vacate the mayoralty now, rather than wait for

the outcome of any criminal justice processes.” This follows the findings of a forensic investigation into allegations of fraud, corruption, maladministration and malpractice within George Municipality, initiated by W-Cape Local Government minister Anton Bredell.

transparency; this is done through the council.” Garden Route Media • Yesterday morning, Bill Nel responded on social media to the ANC’s retort, saying that the DA statement of February 8 “was based on facts from the forensic report to ensure transparency;

the ANC reply of the 9th, true to form, was fragrant with angry political rhetoric and justification for their attempts to conceal the report from the public”. Nel continues: “Bitou citizens understand that the ANC left our municipality effectively bankrupt

in 2011 largely as a result of crooked land deals. Our citizens are equally aware that recent staff selections have ensured the reinstatement of the very same officials that were responsible for those deals.” Visit www.cxpress.co.za to read Nel’s full statement.

CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

12 February 2020

It’s midnight and we’re on watch: the last 24 hours of ‘ourstory’ With this week’s Plett History Festival in mind, we felt CXPRESS readers may gain more from the event with a locally relevant timeline and ‘overview perspective’ based on recent scientific and, especially, genetic discoveries in this fast-moving and rapidly changing field, write DRS MATTHEW ZYLSTRA and PETER NILSSEN HIS perspective is most insightful when the modern human timeline is scaled to a 24-hour day: 1 hour = 10,000 years. Current scientific consensus suggests that we as Homo sapiens arose 200,000-300,000 years Before Present (BP). For ease of calculation on this 24-hour timeline, let’s say Homo sapiens date back to 240,000 BP. Some approximations are therefore made for earlier dates and rounding-off done for later, more specific dates to simplify the timeline presented. Timeline of Cape human history in a 24-hour day • 00:00 (~240,000 BP): Homo sapiens emerge during these first few hours of the period called the Middle Stone Age. • 06:00 (~180,000 BP): Our early ancestors become active here along the Southern Cape. Ice-age conditions around this time lead to scarcity in environments that could sustain life and may have forced people to move to other areas or disappear entirely. But in the Southern Cape there was an abundance of high-quality nutrition from both sea and land. Sites have revealed the presence of fish, shellfish, marine mammals, terrestrial mammals, reptiles and birds, as well as plant foods such as bulbs, corms and tubers. Edibles that don’t fossilize well likely included a wider variety of sea animals and plants, terrestrial fruits, nuts, and insects. Bones of Homo sapiens found in an Israeli cave show that one of the earlier - and maybe first - minor migrations out of Africa already occurred around 170,000-190,000 BP. Initial mixing and interbreeding with Neanderthals likely. • 08:00 (~160,000 BP): We ‘wake up’ fully as modern humans displaying the first known forms of creative and symbolic expression, more advanced cognitive

thought, use of compound tools, and evidence of ‘culture’. Significant discoveries at Pinnacle Point, Mossel Bay, include very early evidence for pyrotechnology in the form of heattreated silcrete as well as utilised ochre for the likely production of ‘paint’. • 14:00-17:00 (~100,00050,000 BP): Further evidence of our more significant (coastal-based) migrations out of Africa. Humans remaining in southern Africa are likely the closest ancestors to the peoples commonly referred to as San. Our species reaches present-day China during this time. • 14:00 (~100,000 BP): In Blombos Cave near Stilbaai, our species creates bone tools, heat-treated silcrete, and abalone shell containers with ochre powder. These are pieces of evidence for behavioural modernity among humans along the Southern Cape coast. • 16:30 (~75,000 BP): In Blombos Cave, we are making cross-hatch incisions on pieces of bone and ochre. These ‘entopic phenomena’ show definitive signs of symbolism or abstract art. • 17:00 (~70,000 BP): Some of us reach Southeast Asia, and have interbred with Neanderthals but, even more so, with the Denisovans - an extinct archaic hominin species that ranged across Asia, whereas their distant relations the Neanderthals were more present in Europe and west Asia. • 17:30 (~65,000 BP): Humans reach Australia. • 19:00 (~50,000 BP): We spread ‘out of Africa’ in greater numbers around this time. • 20:00 (~40,000 BP): Our species spreads across modern-day Europe; Later Stone Age begins. Within a few thousand years of our arrival in Eurasia, Neanderthals go extinct around 39,000 BP, although interbreeding occurred prior.

• 22:50 (~11,500 BP): The site of Gobekli Tepi (in present-day Turkey) is active, consisting of rings of massive stone pillars, engraved with images of animals. This was seemingly a place of worship for people who, based on the bone evidence, were otherwise still living a hunter-gatherer existence but on the verge of domesticating their wild sheep and wild grains. • 22:55 (~12,000-10,000 BP): Agriculture and cultivation are widely developed and practised across Mesopotamia and the present-day Middle East, although evidence suggests that indigenous groups were practising more subtle forms of ‘farming’, e.g. controlled burning. • 23:00-23:25 (~11,0006,000 BP): We learn to domesticate livestock, initially sheep and goats, then horses. • 23:27 (~5,520 BP): The wheel is invented. Written language first appears around this time. • 23:30 (~5,000 BP): The rise of the Yamnaya culture - descendants of Ancient North Eurasians, and originating in the steppe north of the Black and Caspian Seas - changed many of us. The Yamnaya appeared to have used the invention of the wheel and the domestication of the horse as a pastoralist technology that allowed them to exploit resources on the steppe landscape at a large scale. Recent genetic analysis shows that over the subsequent 500-800 years, the Yamnaya move west plundering many other isolated, localised cultures. Yamnaya descendants spread rapidly across the region, genetically replacing 40% of the population of present-day Iberia, 70% of the population of presentday Germany, and 90% of the population of presentday UK, just after the pre-existing population completed the building of Stonehenge. • 23:30 (~5,000 BP): Bronze

Age begins (ends ~3,220 BP), powered by Yamnaya advances. The materials for making bronze had to be sourced from hundreds of kilometres away and required long-distance trade, which likely led to wealth accumulation. • 23:33 (~4,500 BP): Uruk in Sumeria (long considered the first recorded city in the world) is built. However, the discoveries of Gobekli Tepi, Caral (Peru ~5000 BP), and other sites now challenge the accepted story of civilisation and birth of agriculture. • 23:33-23:30 (~4,500-3,500 BP): Yamnaya spread back from present-day Iran/Eastern Europe toward the east, reaching present-day India. The Yamnaya are the likely source of the Proto-IndoEuropean languages, which is the precursor to all IndoEuropean languages, and the most widely spoken language family in the world today. • 23:30-23:35 (~3,5003,000 BP): Indus Valley civilisation forms and spawns Hinduism. • 23:44 (~2,643 BP): Gautama Buddha is born and marks the beginnings of Buddhism. • 23:48 (~2,020 BP): Jesus Christ is born and marks the beginnings of Christianity. • 23:50 (~2,000 BP): Khoekhoen (‘Khoi’) nomadic herders move into presentday South Africa from the north and coexisted with existing San foragers in an apparently fluid relationship, although conflicts almost certainly occurred. • 23:51 (~1,449 BP): Muhammad is born and marks the beginnings of Islam. SiNtu speakers prevalent around Lake Victoria seem to move rapidly down into present KZN. • 23:54 (~945 BP): Mapungubwe Settlement Complex begins forming in the Limpopo Valley as a large subsistence farming community. It becomes a large Iron Age kingdom representing Af-

rica’s first class-based society and trades ivory for glass beads from India and China. • 23:55 (~800 BP): An Outeniqua Yellowwood (now known as ‘The Big Tree’) sprouts near Storms River. • 23:56:20s (~595 BP): Chinese Admiral Zheng sets sail with 317 ships and 28,000 men (10 times the size of Columbus’ fleet), and sets up emissaries in countries around the Indian Ocean to facilitate and consolidate trade relations, including with East Africa. • 23:57 (~532 BP): Bartolomeu Dias sails around the southern tip of Africa and stops at present-day Mossel Bay. Four years later, Christopher Columbus ‘discovers’ the Americas. A few decades later, a second wave of SiNtu speakers arrive in present-day South Africa. The coastal forelands were home to the Nguni language group and mark the beginnings of what was to become the amaXhosa nation around the 1600s. Through probable confrontation, many nomadic KhoenKhoen were either displaced or assimilated into the Nguni culture. Notably, the amaGqunukhwebe tribe that ranged between present-day East London and the Gamtoos River is mixed Xhosa and Khoekhoe Gonaquas. • 23:57:40s (~390 BP): Portuguese sailors were stranded in Bahia Formosa (now Plettenberg Bay) after their ship, the São Gonçalo, sank en route from India to Portugal. The 100 survivors befriend resident ‘KhoeSan’ peoples during the eight months it took to repair their vessels. • 23:58:30s (~260BP): The Industrial Revolution takes place in Europe. Dutch and British settlers expand their presence across the Cape resulting in violent confrontations with the KhoenKhoen (‘KhoeSan’) and amaXhosa.

• 23:59:05s (~200 BP): In Eden, Southern Cape, we transform much of the landscape and hunt existing mega-fauna to extinction or near-extinction. Over the last 60 seconds, the world population grows from 1-billion to 7-billion. • 23:59:34s (~72BP): Apartheid formalised as policy in SA. In this last 25 seconds to midnight, the world uses more resources than during the previous day (23h59m35s) combined. To put the above into even greater perspective, modern humans have only been present for an estimated 0.007% of earth’s entire history - barely 5 seconds within a 24-hour day. This timeline perspective should awaken humility in us all. Even though the science of human history is evolving at lightning speed, we know enough to reimagine who we are and to act accordingly. We know we have the power to rapidly destroy but also the ability to create, innovate and regenerate. We know that for at least 95% of our history we were more peaceable foragers living in tight egalitarian communities inseparable from nature. We know that we were a highly mobile species and rarely stayed in any one place for an extended period of time. We know that the latest genetic and archaeological evidence reinforces the idea that we are ‘all one’ - sourced from a population that evolved in and spread out of Africa. But there is still much we don’t know and we need to keep humble open minds as new discoveries are made. As the clock ticks beyond midnight, will we put aside our preconceived beliefs for the sake of humanity? In these times, we would do well to remember our shared roots - ‘ourstory’ and choose the best version of human that we can be.

NEWS & VIEWS

12 February 2020

CXPRESS

Living in the Anthropocene: is this humanity’s greatest-ever challenge? Understanding the state of our planet, and the role each of us plays, really does matter, writes IAN MICHLER such as climate change, the loss of biodiversity, and global pollution levels are typically seen as primary features when explaining our current global predicament. But these have not occurred in isolation, and any meaningful discussion must also embrace po-

litical and economic paradigms, education systems and population levels, among many others. Either way, evidence from around the world is overwhelming: almost all of Earth’s physical, chemical and biological systems are being altered by humans, and some at alarm-

IAN MICHLER has spent the last 29 years working as a specialist guide, safari operator, photojournalist and consultant across Africa. His writing focuses on the continent’s conservation and environmental challenges and he is the author and photographer of seven natural history and travel books. He is the lead character, researcher and co-campaign leader for the feature documentary ‘Blood Lions’ and a director of Eden to Addo. He currently runs Invent Africa Safaris and is enrolled as part-time student at the Sustainability Institute of the University of Stellenbosch.

ECAUSE humans have become the most influential species on the planet, it is increasingly being suggested that our current epoch, the Holocene, be replaced by the Anthropocene - a new geological time period that defines our current impacts. First mooted back in 2000 by the Dutch chemist Paul J Crutzen, this time in Earth’s history is currently being examined and heavily debated among the scientific community. Environmental factors

PLANET PICTURED: Master photographer Obie Oberholzer has availed several of his photos, including these pictured above, to be auctioned after Ian’s February 19 talk; take note that an 18A-receipt will be issued for all funds raised during the silent auction

La Luna

ing levels. And no matter your status on our planet, this should be concerning to every single one of us as these are the same systems that ensure human life and our general well-being. If you are interested in understanding the Anthropocene as well as exploring all the links that feed the scientific debate, then please join Eden to Addo and Ian Michler for an insightful presentation on February 19 at the Beacon Island Hotel. Using powerful imagery and scientific data, Ian will unpack the challenges we face as well as discuss the reasons why individuals and societies seem reluctant to change, before offering possible outcomes as we head into the next 50 years and beyond. • ‘The Anthropocene’ by Ian Michler is a fundraiser for the Eden to Addo Corridor Initiative on Wednesday February 19 at 7pm. Doors to the Lagoon Room open at 6pm and there will be a cash bar on the terrace facing Robberg Beach. The lecture will be followed by a silent auction of mounted photographs and prints by renowned photographer Obie Oberholzer. Tickets at R150 each are available from Barnie Barnard at The Market Square Info Centre (044 533 3219). For booking details, go to www.edentoaddo.co.za or visit the Eden to Addo Facebook page.

CXPRESS

12 February 2020

SCHOOL NEWS

NEWS & VIEWS

12 February 2020

CXPRESS

ADVERTORIAL

Barrington’s Brewery opens in style on National Beer Day

TAPAS TO KEEP IT TIDY: Platters of pork sliders and a selection of other tapas from the Barrington’s kitchen ensured clear heads while brew after brew were introduced

HERE could not have been a more perfect date to officially open Plett craft brewery Barrington’s than #SANBeerDay on February 1. The fourth annual South African National Beer Day was celebrated in style across the country with brewers, bar owners and good old dedicated beer drinkers hosting events and festivals far and wide. In Plettenberg Bay, 60 lucky beer-loving souls were first in line to enjoy a one-on-one with Barrington’s brew master, Knysna local Marcus Meunier, at the official opening of the brewery. Guests enjoyed a full introduction to the Brew House, an overview of the brewing process, a taster of each of Barrington’s four beautifully crafted beers, and a tour of the brewery itself. When Barrington’s quietly opened its doors two weeks before peak season, the brewery itself was still sailing the high seas from

DRAUGHT CRAFT: Barrington’s brew master Marcus Meunier treated guests to an informative tasting session at the official opening event

China. But the team had already determined that beer would be flowing come opening day. Marcus tracked back and forth to Saggy Stone Brewery in the Nuy Valley outside Robertson for months, to brew the four founding Barrington’s beers - a Lager, a Weiss, an American Pale

Ale, and an English Ale. The brewery finally landed in mid-December, but one highly energised hops honcho had to contain himself a few weeks longer while awaiting the engineer’s arrival, to assist with the commission. Unbelievable teamwork coupled with the essentials of a brilliant translator app meant that they, along with Marcus’s assistant, Luvuyo Binita, were able to conduct their very first on-site brew on January 22. The Brewery, in all its working glory, is in full view of guests entering the Barrington’s Bar. Housed behind massive steel-framed windows that steam up ever so slightly during a brew, it allows onlookers front-row seats to witness the technicalities involved. The Brew House uses a traditional two-vessel system with an effective brew volume of 500 litres and a fermentation capacity of 10 X 1,000-litre fermenters. A mash lauter tun, kettle whirlpool tun, two stage heat exchangers, and a bottling plant complete the set up. The primary goal is to provide great tasting beer, brewed with a close consideration to sustainability and the environment - two factors that underlie the Barrington’s ethos. All the cooling water is redirected into a hot liquor tank, drainage water leads to a grey water system, spent grain is collected by local farmers, and locally sourced bio friendly cleaning agents are used throughout. In addition, a survey is currently underway to de-

Eateries score big in Valentine’s spend ESTAURANTS continue to enjoy the lion’s share of consumer spend during Valentine’s Day. According to FNB, on Valentine’s Day last year its customers spent approximately R50-million at eateries around the country - a substantial increase compared to what was spent at restaurants on Valentine’s Day in 2017 and 2018. Says FNB Retail chief executive Raj Makanjee: “We see similar spending patterns by customers who use

our debit and credit cards, and expect more or less the same activity this year. “Our payments activity indicates that Valentine’s Day is important to many customers and we encourage those who will be spoiling their loved ones to spend wisely. In these tough times, we want to help customers manage their money better by using value-added benefits to cut back on outof-pocket expenses. “In addition to the competitive discounts offered

DATE NIGHT: With clever financial manoeuvring couples don’t have to wait for Valentine’s Day to treat each other

through our eBucks Rewards, we also encourage consumers to take advantage of our partnership with The Entertainer app,” he says. “Currently, over 260,000 FNB and RMB Private Bank customers are registered on the app, and we have saved each customer over R1,500 in fees they would have paid to register for the service.” Through the partnership with The Entertainer, FNB customers can enjoy twofor-one discounted offers at restaurants, beauty salons, health and fitness facilities as well as hotels across South Africa. The Entertainer team also revealed that they will be adding more than 480 new merchants on the app this year. “Many households are facing mounting pressure due to poor economic prospects that continue to erode disposable income. Therefore, it’s important for our partnerships to deliver value to customers,” Makanjee concludes.

termine the number of solar panels required in order for Barrington’s to function independently of the grid. Marcus looks forward to working closely with other Garden Route craft breweries such as Fisanthoek and Tsitsikamma, growing the local craft beer industry within the area to create a recognised and highly regarded beer destination route. But most exciting for locals is the launch of the Barrington’s Beer Club on February 17, with none

other than Lucy Corne aka The Brewmistress, coauthor of African Brew, all round beer expert, and founder of #SANBeerDay - as guest speaker. Joining Lucy on the night will be Derick Saul from Fisanthoek Brewery, presenting a tasting of their four beers. The Beer Club will meet February through to November, catering for all beer lovers wanting to experience a range of craft beer styles while networking

with both industry experts and fellow homebrewers. And if it’s a festival you’re after, take note that the first Barrington’s Beer Festival is already being planned. Participants will include breweries from throughout the Garden Route and the date is set for March 21. Email drink@barring tonsplett.co.za or call 044 050 3767 to sign up for the Barrington’s Beer Club and visit www.barringtons plett.co.za for further information.

CXPRESS

12 February 2020

When you’re smiling HREE dead bodies turn up at the mortuary, all with big smiles on their faces. The coroner calls the police to tell them what has happened. “First body: Frenchman, 60, died of heart failure while making love to his mistress. Hence the enormous smile, Inspector,” says the coroner. “Second body: Scotsman, 25, won a thousand pounds on the lottery,

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spent it all on whisky, hence the smile. He died of alcohol poisoning.” The inspector asks: “What of the third body?” “Ah,” says the coroner, “this is the most unusual one. Billy-Bob from Oklahoma, 30, struck by lightning.” “Why is he smiling then?” inquires the inspector. “Thought he was having his picture taken,” replies the coroner.

A lesson in logic ATIENT: “Doctor, my girlfriend is pregnant but we always use protection. How is it possible?” Doctor: “Let me tell you a story: There was once a hunter who always carried a gun wherever he went. One day he took out his umbrella instead of his gun and went out.

“A lion suddenly jumped in front of him. In order to scare the lion, the hunter used the umbrella like a gun, and shot the lion, then it died!” Patient: “Nonsense! Someone else must have shot the lion.” Doctor: “Good! You understood the story. Next patient, please.”

“I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: ‘No good in a bed, but fine against a wall’.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

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the heart and soul of plettenberg bay

INTERVAL

SOCIAL SCENE

12 February 2020

CXPRESS

People, places & events

CLEAN CAMPAIGN EARNS ALISON NATIONAL KUDOS: Congratulations to Alison Bryant of the Keep Plett Clean Campaign for being declared the first-ever winner of the Caroline Reid Award as Cleanup Champion for 2019. This new annual award was established by PlasticsSA to recognise and reward excellence by an individual in the field of marine and coastal clean-ups. Making the announcement during a gala dinner to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Marine and Coastal Educators Network held at Zeekoevlei Yacht Club in Cape Town last month, Douw Steyn, at left above, and John Kieser of Plastics SA awarded Alison with a R10,000 cash prize and a floating trophy. Caroline Reid was a passionate ocean conservation warrior from KZN who tragically passed away at the age of 42 in a fatal motorcycle accident in 2018. A dynamic cleanup champion, she coordinated hundreds of beach and diving clean-ups. Alison Bryant is the driving force behind Keep Plett Clean - a community initiative started in February 2014 with the aim of keeping Plett spotless as a premier holiday destination. With the help of 30 volunteers and a few permanent staff members, Alison ventures out with bibs and pickers every week to make sure every bit of waste is removed from the town’s beaches and streets. Accepting her award, Alison thanked Plastics SA for launching the initiative and stressed the importance of ongoing education to teach the public and school children how they could help keep the environment beautiful and clean. “This award shows that if we all do our bit and care for our communities, together we can really push South Africa forward and help our country go from strength to strength,” Alison said. Visit www.plasticsinfo.co.za for more information.

NOT ONLY SPINNING TUNES BUT SHOES, TOO: Local entertainer DJ Mjilo - aka Luzuko Jonas - donated about 100 pairs of shoes to needy children at Murray High School and Kwanokuthula Primary recently through his community-minded initiative to bring not only good vibes to Bitou locals but also uplift lives through his deeds. Pictured above with the selfless and sunny Mjilo at left are collaborators Lholho Nqola and Zola Basakabini, at right. - Wandisile Sebezo (HI)STORIES FROM THE VELD: On Saturday, author David Bristow, left, will present two talks at Roost at Old Nick Village as part of the Plett History Festival from February 13-15. At 10:30am, he will chat about his book on game rangers and other interesting characters, and his 3:30pm talk is entitled ‘Hominins, Hunter-Gatherers and Heroes’. Entrance is free but booking essential so email info@roostplett.co.za or call 044 050 1236 to announce your imminent arrival. David grew up in the veld and has an honours degrees in Journalism from Rhodes University, as well as a Masters in Environmental Sciences from UCT. He spent a year working as a guide and camp manager in the Okavango Delta, then started ‘real life’ as a news hound. But after the success of his first book ‘Mountains of Southern Africa’, he decided that being a fulltime nature and travel writer was ‘the life’. Since then he has authored more than 20 books, including numerous travel and hiking guides. In-between there was a 13-year stint as editor of Getaway magazine. A few years ago he turned his hand to writing non-fiction narratives with a series titled ‘Stories from the Veld’. First in the series is ‘Running Wild: the Story of Zulu’ - the true tale of a Boerperd that became a zebra... The second, ‘The Game Ranger’, features 20 curious characters, present and past. The third, ‘Of Hominins, Hunter-gatherers and Heroes’, reviews 20 amazing places in SA. All current books will be available at R200 each, cash or card (retail price is around R250). David’s talks are two of the many free presentations and discussions under the festival umbrella; paid-for talks at Piesang Valley Hall tomorrow (February 13) include Prof Sarah Wurz of Wits (9am - Early Modern Humans at Klasies River - R100), and Dr Joané Swart (11:30am - Early Rock Art - R100). There’s a Green Hearts fundraising dinner with riveting speaker Willie Hofmeyer scheduled for tomorrow night at 6:30pm at Burnt Orange at Plett Angling Club (R250, very few seats left, call Janet on 082 653 9275 to book). Tickets at R100 are still available for talks on Friday February 14 by Prof Mike de Jong (9am - ‘First people of SA’) and Oom Sammie Jansen (11:30am ‘Griqua Hero AA le Fleur I’) at Piesang Valley Hall. Visit Barnie at the Market Square Info kiosk for full programme details and to book, or call 044 533 3219.

A FIRST FOR THE N2 LOUNGE LADIES: Normally, a nicely mixed crowd frequent N2 Lounge at the main entrance to KwaNokuthula, but on Friday January 31 proprietors Shaun and Melanie thought it was a grand idea to test the waters with a ‘ladies only’ night - which ended up being a well-attended and great fun affair. So much hilarity was shared by the girls that it is hoped to revisit this particular type of gathering at least once a month. Call Melanie on 082 692 5100 or Shaun on 076 745 0816 to find out more about what’s cooking at N2 Lounge.

CXPRESS

12 February 2020

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

12 February 2020

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

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

On development A question of power… or the lack of it - in I have a few questions tricity, yet my municiI have pondered pal utilities bill doesn’t Garden Route District which and alas can’t come up drop in price. Why? I refer to the article ‘On the dark side of the moon: local district development leaves much to be desired’ [find it on page 4 of the January 29 edition at www.cxpress.co.za]. The article refers to developmental funds from either central or provincial governments having to be returned, “as skills were not available to manage them”. While we appreciate the

with any answers. Perhaps someone cleverer than I can tell me - Mr Kevin Meineke [a regular contributor to the CXPRESS Soapbox page, as per this edition], perhaps? • We have a shortage of electricity. Where will the electricity for electric cars come from? • During the out(r) ages I don’t use elec-

honesty being stated, it is a very sad reflection on development - or the absence thereof. Several questions must be asked: • In reality, what does this really mean? • Why is there a lack of skills? • What skills are required? • What is being done to rectify the situation? I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry. Kevin Meineke, Plett

• Why did Eskom allow bills to municipalities to reach these levels? They would have cut off my electricity after one month and then charged me a reconnection fee… • When Nelson Mandela came to power, did we really think we wouldn’t eventually sink to Zimbabwe’s level? A Forbes, Plett

Discharge, displays, and sale of fireworks should be banned I have been very active for the past 10 years, working to enforce the banning of fireworks and prevention of their discharge. The success of this campaign has spread across six towns, the last being Plettenberg Bay, where for the past two years no fireworks have been discharged on the beaches. Discharging firework as a form of celebration is unkind, inhumane and extremely cruel. Despite this fact, we have been engaging in this foreign practice for more than 60 years and have yet to teach many among us that it’s wrong. Have you ever spared a thought for the suffering caused? Has it ever crossed your mind that you might be depriving babies or young children and their parents of an entire night of peace and sleep? Do you understand the trauma experienced by an autistic child when they suffer through the explosions? Have you ever

WE SUPPORT A FIREWORKS-FREE SA: This original campaign photo was taken 10 years ago and features my now dearly-departed boys Sir Hutchinson and Bijoux; it has been used by various anti-fireworks groups across South Africa to further this important cause

taken note that the entire neighbourhood’s dogs cry and cower? Have you considered that community members have to drive around, rescuing pets that jumped over fences and in some cases through closed windows? Do you know what you are subjecting your

community to? Discharge of fireworks causes: • Severe anxiety, trauma and suffering to household pets; • Significant property loss and damage - an accidental discharge through the window of a home can cause significant dam-

Gerhard van Huyssteen is your LOCAL registered Debt Counsellor (NCRDC#778) Cell: 071 332 2341 Tel: 044 533 2805 Email: plett101@gmail.com

age and in some cases fire; • Major fire risk in nature, threatening the lives of not only human beings, but also many domestic and wild animals; • On or near beaches, a significantly hazardous environmental impact to both nesting coastal birds and marine life, as well as pollution to already highly polluted oceans. NO fireworks display is worth the fear, pain and suffering pets and other animals have to endure. They do not have a voice but we do, and that should be used to end the sale and discharge of all fireworks and displays. Should you wish to join the movement, visit bit.ly/2lYdzox to sign the Avaaz petition or w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / groups/42644142538/ to make your voice heard. Suzarne Ally van Jaarsveld, Plett (Email stopfireworks@ mweb.co.za for additional information. - Eds.)

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CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

12 February 2020

Defending champions return to ride 2020 Knysna Bull HE 2020 Knysna Bull, made personal by Constantia, takes place from February 19-22 in the Garden Route forests and once again boasts a massive, winner-takes-all prize of R100,000 for the elite men’s and elite women’s winners. Unsurprisingly, defending champions Matt Beers and Samantha Sanders have confirmed their participation as they look to secure a healthy early season bonus. Last year, Beers held off

his friend and training partner Alan Hatherly by 27 seconds to secure the title. In the women’s race, Sanders bested Jennie Stenerhag by 4 minutes, after Sabine Spitz’s challenge for race victory evaporated in a cloud of tyre sealant when she suffered a significant side-wall puncture. Each of the Prologue and three marathon stages were individually fiercely contested though, with the remote finishes at the end of

a single-track, atop climbs and on a lagoon-side bike path helping to create a compelling finale for the many spectators. Though the prize money for the elite riders is offered in a winner-takes-all lump sum, Young Bulls are financially rewarded down to fifth place. “We feel it is essential to support the up and coming mountain biking talent in SA,” said race organiser Pax Mosterd. “To that end

we offer discounted entries to riders under the age of 23 and pay R60,000 in total prize money to the younger men and women racers. “We know that many

of the under 23 riders are students or working their first jobs, while racing their mountain bikes virtually full-time. So the discount and prize money help be-

yond the Bull and hopefully allow them to take part in stage races across the country,” said Mosterd. Visit www.knysnabull.bike for more information.

Merrick meets his match at The Fat Fish

Garden Route

Proud ‘soccer mom’ and stalwart of Plett’s award-winning Fat Fish crew, Jeanne van der Gaast shared this photo of her and son Merrick in the company of veritable football royalty. She wrote: “I was honoured to serve Dave King of Rangers FC, and Liverpool legends Kenny Dalglish and Alan Hansen. This awesome occasion was made even more special by the fact that my boy could meet these luminaries of the field and spend some time sharing trade secrets with Alan. Merrick turns 17 years old on February 17, and this was an unexpected and highly appreciated early birthday present.” The sporty youngster had just returned from playing a game of hockey on Astroturf when he popped into his mom’s place of work to meet these ‘behemoths of the beautiful game’ on Monday. Having shown great talent on especially the soccer field since primary school, Merrick last year attended a four-day training course and trials with Chippa United FC in Port Elizabeth, and is setting his sights on joining one of the big Cape clubs or even overseas outfits after completing matric. Pictured from left above are Dave, Alan, Jeanne, Merrick and Kenny - aka ‘Sir Dalglish’ since receiving his knighthood from the queen in 2018. Stellar company indeed…

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