12 October 2016
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
A large party of friends - in no particular order below are Port Elizabethans Nicky Volker, Carmel Wolf, Cherie Howes, Liesel Hulett, Debbie Platt, Gail Broekman and Amanda Moolman, Joburgers Yongama Mpahlwa and Zimkita Mpahlwa, and Joan Lombaard from Knysna - had a blast during this weekend’s Sasfin Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival on Central Beach. Turn to page 9 to find out more about this zinger of a Plett Tourism success.
Photo: Timothy Twidle
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CXPRESS
NEWS & VIEWS
12 October 2016
‘COME TO THE CABARET’ ON OCTOBER 29
One Night with Sonja Kantey is just the ticket to lift lethargic spirits If you’re a fan of old-time music, when songs had memorable melodies and sentimental lyrics, you need to book tickets for ‘One Night with Sonja Kantey’, staged at The White House in two Saturdays’ time NCE upon a time, there was a shy little girl who had big dreams of being on a stage. And not just any old stage. Her own stage - dressed up in bling and sequins with the spotlight on her, and her alone… Sonja Kantey, well-known by many for her Connoisseur hairdressing salon for men opposite Plett’s post office, says she was always singing and dreaming of being on stage. Her chance came in the 1990s in Cape Town, when she teamed up with former boss Raymond Harding to perform in the city’s northern suburbs, before relocating to Plettenberg Bay in 1996. Appearing as BlueStone, they performed at many venues of
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the day such as Kelly’s and the Beacon Island, before Raymond moved to New Zealand in 2009. Sonja later made a brief appearance with Still Crazy, but was only persuaded to sing again when she met and married percussionist Mike Kantey. Performing together at their wedding reception in April with pianist Andrew Nezar, the trio was so well received that they decided to play for a larger audience at premier entertainment venue The White House in Plett CBD. A regular with the rock band Still Crazy, Andrew Nezar also performs on many Sunday mornings at Wittedrift NG Kerk (led by Ds Chris du Preez), where his sonorous
Jogging Down Memory Lane
chords and rapid arpeggios can evoke legions of angels. Mike Kantey, on the other hand, can usually be found lurking behind the drums at the Methodist Church off Marine Drive, as well as providing drum therapy at Twin Rivers Clinic on Longships. Having started playing congas in the 1970s, Mike later studied drums at Merton Barrow’s Jazz Workshop in Cape Town before performing in a series of bands, such as Kanabash Barn with Mark Ginsburg and Ian Smith, funkjazz group Unkle Tomm on the Cape Flats, Soft Landing with the late Ezra Ngcukana, and Minor Third with Rudi Burns and Joe Davis.
STAGE DREAMS REALISED: Well-known Plettenberg Bay resident Sonja Kantey joins forces with her ace percussionist hubby Mike and chord master Andrew Nezar for a once-off musical treat later this month
Equally experienced in organising and promoting musical concerts, Mike hopes that this might be the first in a series of concerts at The White House in Plettenberg Bay. Phone 072 628 5131 and see the advert on this page for further information. Derek Frielinghaus
Do you remember those times - the places and people?
This seems to be a very early photograph of Plett Primary School and, judging from the grounds, it looks like the photo was taken soon after it was built. The photo of the pupils I presume features the total compliment of school children at the same time. Unfortunately that’s all the information I have, and perhaps some readers might recognise a few of the children and put a date to the images and names to the pupils. I am guessing the date to be in the 1950s. Email your early Plett reminiscences to haus@mweb.co.za (with or without your name), or drop it off in hard copy at the CXPRESS office at 6 Park Lane in Plett CBD.
the watermark arts café presents
Tickets are available from Barney’s Information Kiosk, Next to Mugg & Bean on Market Square
NEWS & VIEWS
12 October 2016
Closed-circuit cameras prove their worth as Plett crime rate plummets Keeping a close eye on Plettenberg Bay over the past four years has been bearing significant fruit - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports RIVEN by local residents, Plett’s first CCTV cameras were installed about four years ago with the aim of assisting in crime-fighting efforts. “And it has worked. Before the cameras were installed we had weekly crimes like burglaries, but today it is down to only about a monthly occurrence,” said Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) operations head Otto Olivier. Along with cameras belonging to Bitou Municipality and other entities, about 100 cameras are currently up and running around town. Most of these are monitored in a control room run by Smhart Alarms and Plett Security. Olivier said another example of the cameras’ effectiveness was the statistics right from the start; within the first year, CCTV footage of the Beacon Island camera resulted in 24 people being apprehended for
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various criminal offences ranging from theft from vehicles to muggings. The control centre operations are fully funded by the two security companies. He added that the CCTV operators are trained and Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) accredited. Training includes equipping them with the skills to recognise suspicious behaviour through body language and other signs. “Large volumes of CCTV video footage are transmitted via The Computer Shop’s high-speed WiFi network. The Computer shop is a PBCPA strategic partner,” Olivier said. While some of the cameras up in town belong to Bitou Municipality to keep an eye on its infrastructure, others were installed by various shops and lifestyle estates as well as residents, including those living in the Poortjies and Beachy Head area. Bitou public safety chief
Andile Sakati said the municipality’s cameras were installed to prevent damage to essential service points that could lead to service interruptions. Once a suspect is spotted, cooperation between the area’s crime-fighting authorities take place. Bitou law enforcement officials, local police, the PBCPA and other organisations then respond, and the footage can also be used for court purposes. Mazars Plettenberg Bay assisted in establishing and running the non-profit company Bitou Monitoring and Emergency Response Centre for the project. In the control room, the public CCTV surveillance project is using the Milestone Video Management Software. This is the global leader in open platform IP video management software as it is powerful and easy to use, with a wide array of features for very basic to advanced surveillance needs. Garden Route Media
IN CONTROL: Crime-fighting fundi Otto Olivier is flanked by Plett SAPS station commander colonel Nolan Michaels, left, and Andries Smhart, whose name is synonymous with security companies in Plett and Jeffrey’s Bay - manning the control room from left in front are Smhart Alarms staffers Rudi and Candice, with Thembisa and Zweni of Plett Security at right Photo: Supplied
CXPRESS
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NEWS & VIEWS
12 October 2016
Who ordained this dump site? Basil van Rooyen of Plett shared this photo and wrote: “One of the members of the Plettenberg Bay Community Environmental Forum flew over the site shown here and took this photo of what appears to be a farmhouse used as a massive illegal dumping place. It would be interesting to know if either Bitou Municipality or any of your many readers know the place. It is across the road from the old Greenwood School site and can be found on Google maps with coordinates 34.061536, 23.341556.” If you can shed light on the issue, please email editor@cxpress.co.za.
No light at end of marine litter tunnel
Shelby Horn and Shannon Carr of Plett sent this pic and wrote: “We are writing to you to share the sad discovery of the state of Central Beach early this morning (October 3). While going for our morning run along the beach, we discovered that the tide had washed up a large amount of rubbish. The litter was covered in algae and spread along the shoreline all the way to The Wedge. It included plastic bags, plastic containers and, unbelievably, seven florescent light bulbs, which can be seen in the picture. This was a terrible sight to see and to realise what is in the ocean and killing our marine life. We felt rather speechless at this find.”
Donasiediewe vat kos uit monde van behoewendes OLIDARITEIT Helpende Hand het sy eerste skenkingskantoor in 2010 in Plettenbergbaai geopen, met die doel om behoeftige mense te help en ook om as gerieflike afsetpunt vir skenkings te dien. Volgens Plettenbergbaai se takvoorsitter, Salomè Janse van Vuuren, probeer hulle om mense se armoede deur middel van onderskeie projekte te verlig, voorkom, en verbreek. “Nagenoeg 80% van ons tyd en bronne word bestee aan die voorkoming van armoede terwyl die ander 20% tussen die verligting en die verbreking van die armoede kringloop verdeel word,” verduidelik Janse van Vuuren. Alle skenkings by die kantoor ontvang soos voedsel, klere en meubels, word eerstens gebruik om die behoeftiges in die gemeenskap te help. Ekstra skenkings word dan verkoop teen winskooppryse om ander opheffingsprojekte aan te pak, ondermeer die verspreiding van kospakkies. Volgens Janse van Vuuren het Helpende Hand tans meer as 36,000 ondersteuners wat per aftrekorder maandelikse bydraes maak, maar net 18 van dié lede is in Plettenbergbaai woonagtig. “Ons ontvang geen hulp van die staat nie en is afhanklik van die bydraes van gewone mense om ons projekte te befonds. “Wat egter baie ontstellend en kommerwekkend is, is die feit dat daar individue in die dorp is wat onder valse voorwendsels hulself as komiteelede van Solidariteit Helpende Hand voor-
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doen om sodoende donasies te ontvang en onderskep,” sê sy. “Hulle verkoop dan hierdie donasies en hou die opbrengs daarvan vir hulself. Niks van hierdie fondse kom uit waar dit veronderstel is en benodig word nie. Hierdie mense vat dus letterlik kos uit die monde van die gesinne na wie ons omsien.” Dieselfde persone het hul eie lyste opgetrek met valse bewoording wat kontant donasies vir Solidariteit aanvra. Die goedhartige inwoners van Plettenbergbaai vertrou en skenk goedertrou aan hierdie mense, min wetende dat hulle bedrog en diefstal pleeg. Sy benadruk dat Solidariteit Helpende Hand nog nooit van sulke bedellyste gebruik gemaak het nie, en ook nooit sal nie. “Ons hou projekte vir fondsinsameling, en werf lede wie maandeliks per debiet order kan bydra, of wie kontant donasies direk in ons rekening inbetaal.” Salomè kan by 083 299 2233 gekontak word om bogenoemde misdade aan te meld, of vir donasies en navrae. Lesers is ook welkom om die kantoor, geleë aan die agterkant van die Marine-gebou op die hoek van Hoof- en Crescent Straat, te besoek. • Helpende Hand is ‘n organisasie sonder winsbejag, wat gestig is om oplossings vir die aanspreek van Afrikaner-armoede te vind. Daar is meer as 150 takke landwyd, sowel as 18 skenkings kantore. Helpende Hand is dankbaar vir elke skenking wat by hul kantore afgelewer word.
KORREKTE KANAAL, ASSEBLIEF: Salomè Janse van Vuuren van die plaaslike tak waarsku dat Solidariteit nooit van bedellyste gebruik maak nie en versoek dat lesers haar direk kontak om te verseker dat hul donasies vir die regte doel gebruik sal word
NEWS & VIEWS
12 October 2016
OBITUARY
Plett was ‘paradise found’ for sporty, lovely Angela Harrison ILL Harrison contacted CXPRESS last Monday to share the sad news that his wife, Angela, had passed away on October 2, in the frail care section of Formosa Garden Village. “She was born in London on April 1, 1936. Her father was a squadron leader in the RAF and so her early life was taken up with moving from one air force base to another. “Angela and her mother came out to South Africa for a few years while her father was posted to Germany, and she returned to the UK as a teenager. She came back to SA with her parents at age 19 or 20, and has remained ever since,” said Bill. “When I retired in 1994, we came to Plett where she got involved in the local bridge scene, having been a ceded player in the nationals. A keen golfer too, she represented Southern Cape and was Lady Captain of Plett Country Club.” The Harrisons moved to Formosa Garden Village three years ago. In subsequent correspondence, Bill shared a resume of Angela’s life that was written for their daughter and son, Janet and Ian - excerpts of which are featured below. Visit www. cxpress.co.za to read the full story of the lovely life of the late Angela Harrison. --Angela was born in Streatham on 1 April 1936 at Aunty Winnie’s Nursing Home. She was certainly no April Fool’s joke, and
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LOVE-FILLED LIFE: Angela Harrison 1.4.1936 - 2.10.2016
whoever encountered her over the next 80 years will testify to that - even death she took on bravely and did it on her terms. Angela had an unsettled childhood growing up during the war, a much older brother who she saw very little of, and her mother doing the best she could under the circumstances. But this did not hold her back - she made the most of what was dealt to her and was happy wherever she went. She lived in Cambridge, Scotland, Pretoria and Hillbrow, then moved back to an air force base in Kent, onto Dorset with her aunt and uncle, and then to Norwich. Moving around so much and in the days before technology, it is amazing how she kept her friendships going right to the end. During her younger years dancing was her life. From going dancing with her father at Dorothy’s Cafe in Cambridge to learning Scottish highland dancing at the Forres Academy in Findhorn, the years in Norwich
on Thursday and Saturday nights at the dancehalls jitterbugging to the famous big bands on tour, and then dances at the Joburg clubs. Many friends are aware of her great success on the hockey field, a list of achievements including: Transvaal Provincial hockey from 1959-1967, vicecaptain of Springboks from 1963-1966, and Springbok captain in 1966 and 1967. Angela received the State Presidents Award in 1968 and the Helms Athletic Foundation Award for Africa. In 1963 she was The Star’s Sports Woman of the Year and in 1967 one of the Natal Mercury’s six Women of the Year. But what was meaningful to Angela was the wonderful friendships she developed through her hockey days, and continuing with tennis at Sandringham, golf all over the country, and onto the bridge tables and book club evenings. Moving to Plett in the mid90s started another chapter in the Harrisons’ life, and Angela always commented that she had found paradise, made so special by long walks along Robberg Beach with her beloved dogs; walks with family and friends to Robberg Island, where she asked for her ashes to be scattered; the endless games of golf and, lately, sitting on her patio overlooking the Plett moors doing her crossword, reminiscing about her life and thinking about all those so dear to her.
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NEWS & VIEWS
12 October 2016
The gift of learning has no sell-by date quality preschool education has been listed as one of the most significant factors ensuring the growth of a successful and productive nation. A confident and competent teacher remains one of the key elements identified as a catalyst to ensuring kids are exposed to the learning required to enter formal schooling, prepared and equipped to thrive and gain a lifelong love of learning. Knysna Education Trust (KET) supports 53 affiliated preschools within the greater Knysna, Sedgefield and Plett communities, with the necessary programmes, skills development, on site coaching and mentoring to capacitate educators to deliver a quality preschool education in a safe, stimulating environment. KET is the only organisation in the area focusing exclusively on Early Childhood Development (ECD), and all projects initiated by the Trust aim to support the protection, care, and development of young children. It has long been a vision of KET to provide SETAapproved NQF ECD training to teachers of Knysna
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and surrounds. Previously, travelling to George or Oudtshoorn for the purpose made this formal training prohibitive and costly for teachers. KET has formed a partnership with Joburg-based Professional Child Care College (PCCC) - experts in this field who have over time honed training materials and curriculum to provide top class certified NQF-approved FET training. This exciting development was launched in July, and the first intake of students are well on their way to being formally certified. The newly-upgraded KET training centre is a top-class facility, for students to attend classes. Additionally,
the newly-established resource centre provides a space where students can work on projects and assignments while gaining additional support from the Education Facilitators. Students are supported and guided by the team of trainers at KET who are there to provide support both in the classroom and on-site in their preschools. Says KET director Nicola Goodall: “It is such an honour to be able to provide quality certified training to all of the wonderful educators in Knysna and surrounds. Our team remains committed to supporting these teachers, who offer invaluable education to the youngsters in their care.� Visit www.knysnaedutrust. co.za and see the advert on page 5 for more info.
BEST POSSIBLE START: Knysna Education Trust capacitates educators to deliver quality preschool education in a safe, stimulating environment
PROMOTION
12 October 2016
CXPRESS
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INTERVAL
12 October 2016
Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za
Good intentions...
Always barter, son
OHN was feeling rather guilty one day, so he went to church for a confession. John: “Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. I stole some wood from a construction site.” The priest: “Well, what did you do with the lumber, my son?” John: “Well, my son’s wheelchair ramp was broken so I fixed it.” The priest: “At least you did good with it.” John: “Wait father, I had some wood left. The priest: What did you do with it? John: My dog was cold so I built him a house. The priest: I guess you still did good with it.
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John: Wait Father, I had some wood left yet.” The priest: “What did you do with it?” John: “My car was cold, so I built a double garage to keep it warm.” The priest: “That is a little out of hand... ” John: “But Father, I still had a little wood left. My wife had always wanted a bigger house, so I built a second floor for our house.” The priest: “Whoa! That’s way too much! You are going to have to make a Novena for penance. Do you know how to make a Novena?” John: “No, but if you have the plans I have plenty of wood.”
Getting it wrong all along new monk starts living at the main monk headquarters. He is in charge of the copying of holy texts. He notices that all of the monks are copying copies of their sacred texts, so he goes to the head monk, and says: “If there is an error in one of the copies, all of the subsequent copies will have the same error.” The head monk replies: “We have been doing it this way for centuries, but I understand your
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man is giving his son advice: “Whenever you buy something on the street, offer them half of what they want.” So the boy is out one day and wants to buy a Coke. He approaches a street vendor and asks how much. The vendor says: “R20.” The boy says: “I’ll give you R10.” The vendor is outraged at first and tries to nego-
tiate a higher price, but fails hopelessly. He finally gives in: “Okay, R10.” The boy replies: “R5.” Once again the vendor is outraged, but eventually agrees again. This continues until the price is at R1.25. Finally, the vendor says: “It’s pointless now, just have it for free.” The boy says: “I’ll take two, please.”
What’s wrong, Doc? man walks into the psychiatrist’s office with a zucchini up his nose, a cucumber in his left ear, and a breadstick in his right ear.
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He says: “Doctor, what on earth is wrong with me?” The psychiatrist replies: “You are not eating properly.”
concern.” So the head monk heads to the cellar to check all of the main copies against the original texts. Hours later no one has seen him and they begin to get worried. They send a monk to the cellar to check on the head monk. The monk finds him sitting and weeping next to their main text. “What’s wrong? What did you find?” he asks. The head monk looks at him, and cries: “It says ‘celebrate’!”
Photographer to young man: “It will make a much better picture if you put your hand on your father’s shoulder.” Father: “It would be much more realistic if he had his hand in my pocket.”
Paddy says to Mick: “I’m getting circumcised tomorrow.” Mick says: “I had that done when I was a few days old.” Paddy asks: “Does it hurt?” Mick says: “Well, I couldn’t walk for about a year.”
SOCIAL SCENE
12 October 2016
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People, places & events
A FIRST FOR KNYSNA CPF! Congratulations to the Knysna Community Police Forum for walking away with the award for CPF of the Year 2015/6 during the Western Cape SAPS Prestige Awards ceremony held at Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town on Friday October 7. Second place went to Kwanonqaba CPF in Mossel Bay, and previous winners Durbanville CPF came third. In the photo above, Western Cape Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS, Lieutenant General KE Jula, hands this admirable first place award over to deserving Knysna CPF chairperson, Cheryl Britz.
RACING SNAKE SEASON: Luke van Blommenstein, 9, blitzed this weekend’s Shy Shark - the little boet of Plett’s awesome Robberg Express trail run - to be the first boy home, with Lyle O’Connell and Henri van Huyssteen being the second and third U13 runners crossing the finish line. Luke is pictured here with dad Andrew, who says he really had to give it his all to keep up with his youngest son’s pace. Well it should serve as a good warmup for this coming weekend’s Retto run, dad! We wish Andrew and all local Otter contenders the best of luck for an injury-free and awesome race. Visit www.otter.run for all you need to know about the Grail of Trail, which ends at Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma National Park this year.
CHIN-CHIN! The CXPRESS team - pictured here minus our youngest and prettiest member, designer Sandi Smith - and friends had an absolute blast at the weekend’s Wine & Bubbly Fest and we thank top organisers Cindy WilsonTrollip and Patty Butterworth for having us, and Plett Tourism for the superb event that is now a firm favourite on the social calendars of wine and bubbly lovers countrywide. In the pic, CXPRESS ad agent Watty Watson provides valuable backup to, from left, Linda ‘front of house cum ad agent’ Ausker, friends Michelle Erasmus and Nathalie Strassburg, and CXPRESS ‘eds’ Lezanne Watson and Esther de Villiers. Three cheers to all involved! - Photo: Timothy Twidle
PIPER AND STRUMMER SURE TO STRIKE A CHORD: Knysna Plett Concert Series presents flautist Bridget Rennie-Salonen and James Grace on guitar next Wednesday. Their flute and guitar duo Zomari was formed in 2004, with Bridget and James performing to great acclaim throughout South Africa and abroad. Their repertoire covers all styles of music from the classics of Vivaldi and Bach to more contemporary works of Piazzola and Hofmeyr. For this concert they will play both separately and together to showcase Bartok’s Roumanian Dances, sonatas, popular Brazilian music by Machado, and the Tango by Piazzola, among other pieces. This feast of flute and guitar - two beautiful-sounding instruments played by two talented musicians - promises a wonderful evening of musical magic. Experience it at Knysna DRC hall in Fichat Street from 7:30pm on October 19. Doors open at 6:45 and tickets cost R120 for non-members and R30 for scholars.
SASSY FINANCIERS: At a presentation on scenario planning and investment management held on October 7 at The White House in Plettenberg Bay prior to the Sasfin Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival were, above from left, David Germond of Teamship South Africa, Liston Meintjes of Sasfin Asset Managers, and Frans Cronjé of The Institute for Race Relations, all of these based in Johannesburg. At right are Mary-Anne Katsigarakis and Jacqueline Kayiya, right, both of Sasfin Joburg. - Photos: Timothy Twidle
FUN WITH FASHION: Knysna photographer Gigi Lewis shared this photograph, shot at the recent Knysna Designers Fashion Show, and wrote: “The cool guy in the pretty turquoise wrap is local designer Thembinkosi - what fabulous fun these kids are having!”
THIRD TIME TOPS: The third Sasfin Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival held at Central Beach on October 8 & 9 was a runaway success. More than 1,000 people streamed into the event on the Saturday and a further 700 enjoyed the festivities on Sunday. The festival was opened by Plett Tourism CEO Peter Wallington, new Bitou mayor Peter Lobese, and Plett winemaker extraordinaire Anton Smal - pictured at the top with Patty Butterworth of Plett Tourism. In his opening address, Wallington stated that there are 370 tourism-related businesses in Bitou that generate some R2.4-billion per annum in turnover and employ between 3,500 and 4,000 people, who in turn earn around R400-million every year in salaries and wages. “The festival celebrates the growing importance of the Plettenberg Bay Winelands to the local economy. From five hectares of vines under cultivation in 2005, the amount of land now being worked for viticulture has grown to 60 hectares and is projected to reach 160 hectares by 2020. The number of bottles produced by our estates has increased from 3,000 in 2005 to 180,000 per year at present,” said Wallington. He thanked Sasfin for their generous sponsorship of the festival, the wine growers and wine estates of Plett, and Bitou Municipality for its ongoing support and assistance. Festival-goers were able to enjoy wine tastings, fine food and fare and much good music. At left, Bitou mayor Peter Lobese looks the part alongside Bongeka Sotashe of Cape Town, left, and Louise Auersperg of the Adopt a Swimmer programme. At right, Ashley September, left, and Ilsa Wildeman of Packwood Country Estate share secrets of the vine wine with Loyiso ‘Godfather’ Notshokovu of KwaNokuthula. - Timothy Twidle
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CXPRESS
12 October 2016
CLASSIFIEDS
ON THE SOAPBOX
12 October 2016
Letters to the Editor
Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600
CXPRESS
Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za
Urgent intervention required to save Plett’s stifling long-term rental situation The shortage in Plettenberg Bay of long-term rental of houses, flats and cottages has serious business implications and is stifling growth in our town. I receive daily requests from individuals as well as businesses desperate for long-term accommodation. New businesses and businesses wanting to expand are being severely hampered by this shortage of accommodation for staff necessary for growth and expansion. Existing businesses can-
not find accommodation for new staff taken on and have had to curtail expansion. Some tenants have to commute from Knysna to work in Plett as they cannot find anything to rent here. I must say, however, that this happens the other way around as well. It just depends where one gets lucky. And this situation not only affects local business, but also municipalities and corporates such as the chain stores and banks. Under normal market conditions, such a short-
Thanks for CXPRESS’S contribution to the ‘record of all experience’ Hats off to CXPRESS for the informative coverage of not only the historic Timber Shed and South Africa’s most endangered heritage sites, but also for creating an awareness of history as the record of all experience. The Van Plettenberg Historic Society’s (VPHS) choice of the Timber Shed as first recipient of a plaque is a wise and informed decision. The Timber Shed in a significant way symbolises the development of the area and the activities of the early pioneer settlers that entered the isolated Outeniqualand around 1760. They were mostly stock farmers and later also became woodcutters when in 1786, some 16 were contracted to deliver 294 wagon loads of logs and planks to Plettenberg Bay for shipment to the Cape.
Hopefully a descendent of one of the pioneer families might have an old ox wagon or some other artefacts to donate to the VPHS for display at the Timber Shed. It would serve as an additional link between this important historical structure and the activities of ordinary people that lived in the greater Plettenberg Bay area. Johann Vosloo, Knysna (Your kind contribution is highly appreciated, Johann - and the good news is that CXPRESS is about to report on a project involving historical wagons that is brewing in our midst, so please watch this space for news and photos in a near future edition. The carts in question, however, will be working transporters, which means living rather than static history, how very exciting! - Eds.)
WHEELS FROM YORE: Early transport wagons, above, and a photograph of an ox wagon for transporting timber, which is on display in Knysna Museum, below
age would then make it viable for property owners to enter the long-term rental market. However, Plettenberg Bay salaries are not nearly at the same level as those earned in the cities, and so property owners believe it more profitable to furnish their houses and rent it out over the holiday periods. There are many reasons for these trends, but the main reason is the seasonal business fluctuations with its consequences. The greatest need is currently in the rental brack-
et from R3,000 to R6,000 per month. I believe Knysna is in a similar predicament, as I get enquires from people working in Knysna who cannot find anything to rent there and who are prepared to commute each day. The problem and solution is one I believe Plett Business Chamber together with the Bitou Council should address urgently. Derek Frielinghaus, Plett (Email Derek at haus@ mweb.co.za with suggestions or solutions in this regard. - Eds.)
sunglass boutique que
Lazy litterers, please clean up your act Imagine every time you consciously did something about litter, you affirmed something beautiful about yourself. Every time you consciously refrained from polluting the earth, a cleansing of your soul took place. “I do not throw litter out of the window and wait until I find a bin.” What conscious trait could I manifest for myself by doing this simple act? A small piece of suffering could be replaced by fulfilment and gain.
Picking up litter around the home wins pride and self-assurance. Recycling ensures hope and healing... Spreading the news about cleaning the earth ensures empowerment and respect. A clean environment for all ensures peace. Being conscious about litter can change the destiny of mankind. Let us ensure a beautiful world for our children, one that does not know suffering, but one of healing. Clean at heart, Plett
Don’t alienate your neighbours, but do take note of the law I accept and fully agree with your article in respect of the alien invasion of mainly Australian vegetation [read it on page 7 of the September 28 edition at www.cxpress.co.za]. However, I don’t agree with the fact that this article threatens small property owners with fines and imprisonment for having alien vegetation on their property - this while the whole world around us is polluted with Australian Black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) currently in full flower and very visible. And then I am not even mentioning the terrible pollution of our Tsitsikamma mountain slopes by Monterrey pines (Pinus radiata). So, please don’t threaten small property owners with fines, while the rest of the alien vegetation
in our environment is far from being under control. “Moenie die splinter uit jou buurman se oog probeer haal terwyl jy ‘n balk in jou eie oog het nie.” Nature Lover, Plett (Point taken, but please let’s remember not to kill the messenger here: neither CXPRESS nor the author of the article, Steven Neufeld, were threatening property owners, but merely reporting the extent of biodiversity legislation in this regard, on the eve of the October 1 deadline for submission of invasive species management plans. If you read here and are ignorant of these regulations, follow the abovementioned directions to the article on our site or visit www.invasives.org.za to download the relevant documentation. - Eds.)
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SPORT & ADVENTURE
12 October 2016
Read the riveting tale of Kade’s claim to top SA bodyboarding title OAKHILL ACCOLADES: These photos appeared on the Oakhill School Facebook page with the caption saying ‘Exceptionally well done to Kade Dickens, who has come first in the Boys category at the SA Bodyboarding Championships. Kade competed in the national championship in Onrus from October 6-9, qualifying in all the heats, moving from quarter to semi-finals and taking the honours in the finals. Congrats, Kade!’
N the previous edition, it was reported how Plett native Kade Dickens, 15, saved another local teen’s life after the latter was washed off the BI rocks close to Central Beach on October 29 [read it on page 4 of the October 5 edition at www.cxpress.co.za]. Eyewitness Jonathan van den Dolder of Knysna, who shared his account with CXPRESS and is a class mate of Kade’s at Oakhill School, mentioned as an aside
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KING OF THE BOARD BOYS: Humble Kade, pictured above on the podium at the SA champs Photo: Bodyboarding SA
that his buddy was off to Onrus the following day to compete in the South African Bodyboarding Championships, which took place in this quaint village close to Hermanus from October 6-9. Now we are elated to report that, after winning all his heats, Kade took first place in the Boys division of the national champs, holding high the name of his town as well as that of Southern Cape boarders at large. A nutshell history of
young Mister Dickens’s career so far include the fact that he attended Plettenberg Bay Primary School before signing up at Oakhill, where he is now completing Grade 9. Kade started as a Nipper with Plett Lifesaving Club aged six, winning countless medals at Nippers Nationals championships through the years. He also received his Western Province colours for Nippers Lifesaving at age 13. A true water baby, he
made the SWD Water Polo team for U13 in 2014, U14 in 2015 and U16 this year, so enthusiasts of the sport and fans of Kade would do well to watch this space when the South African Water Polo Championships take place in Durban during December. CXPRESS congratulates Kade and the Howirth family, whose support went a long way to help him rake in the supercool title of SA Bodyboarding Champion.
Four SA podium spots for Leolin
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Plett gymnast Leolin Petersen,10, competed against nearly 100 of her peers at the recent SA Championships, bringing home a gold medal for tumbling, silver for Euro tramp and artistic, and bronze for double mini tramp. Magnifique!
Step up to the crease and take on your heroes
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