13 June 2018

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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

Knysna taxis unite

Almost 1,000 people joined in a peaceful taxi protest in Knysna on Monday, with no incidents reported by monitoring police - read the report on page 2. The town also sports a new first citizen since our previous edition hit the streets. Turn to page 3 to find out more.

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13 June 2018

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NEWS & VIEWS

13 June 2018

Peaceful protest staged to further safety cause for all

Memorable day in Knysna history as new set unveils fire sculpture

Y mid-last week, Knysna Taxi Forum (KTF) released a statement about protest action scheduled for June 11, asking supporters to gather on the N2 at Nekkies from 6am onward. “We request the support from everyone as our grievances affect all community members in Greater Knysna. We further wish to distance our Forum from statements that kids must not go to school,” said KTF secretary Mandla Tyololo. The petition stated, among others, the need for clean and safe public toilets and security at the town taxi rank, ‘Sanlam’, and Masifunde, as well as traffic lights at Sanlam and Lamco. “Knysna Municipality is refusing to grant us taxi operating licences, yet they are confiscating our vehicles and we have to pay a lot of money to release them,”

When the people of Knysna kicked off commemorations of a year since the fires hit on June 7, 2017, they also learnt that former first citizen Eleonore Bouw-Spies had been supplanted. Pictured during Thursday afternoon’s unveiling of the Knysna fire sculpture are, from left, deputy mayor Elrick van Aswegen, new Knysna mayor Mark Willemse, speaker Georlene Wolmarans, and councillors Mertle Gombo, Victor Molosi, Aubrey Tsengwa, and Peter Myers.

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he said. Tyololo further claimed that when crimes were reported to the police, no feedback was received on the status of the cases, and that had resulted in them “losing faith in the police”. Two points included on the petition revolved around the withdrawal of reported cases without consultation of complainants, and the granting of bail to people accused of serious crimes like rape, house robbery, theft, and murder “without the knowledge of complainants and family members concerned”. Western Cape spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said the protest was peaceful. “About 200 people participated, but as the day went by, almost a 1,000 had joined in. They were behaving because this was a legal march and everything was in order as arranged beforehand. ”

Plett ARTS Festival: June 25 to July 9

How woke are you? - Part II HE expression “stay woke” originates from AfricanAmerican English and was popularised in 2014 by the Black Lives Matter movement to promote awareness about racial and social injustice in the States. It has since entered the lexicon as an expression that encompasses many different social issues, from labour to health to LGBT rights. This concept is introduced with an exploration through art and drama, when the Plett ARTS Festival presents Afridocs. Five thought-provoking films will grace the big screen over three days from July 4-6, featuring two easily-recognisable names: first up is a documentary on the life and times of

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Miriam Makeba, affectionately known as ‘Mama Africa’, who acted as a cultural ambassador of not only South Africa, but also the entire continent, during a time when it was not popular to do so. Through her music, she inspired generations to stand up against oppression, while her songs also brought solace to those in prison. Another doccie encompasses the life of Oliver Tambo, who opened a law firm with Nelson Mandela in 1952 and later became the longest-serving president of the African National Congress, leading it during the most difficult time of the ANC’s existence - when it was banned and exiled in Zambia.

Delving into this important history of how we have come to be, and celebrating those who shaped our country for the better, is the best start to a journey of understanding where we’re headed as a country while taking stock from and standing on the shoulders of such giants. What is art if not to push human creativity to its full potential, changing our mind-sets and making sure we stay woke? The 2018 Plett ARTS Festival is scheduled for June 25 to July 9 and tickets are available through Plett Tourism’s website and Quicket. Visit www.plett tourism.com for more information read on for this week’s competition question and winner announcement. COMPETITION Plett Tourism and CXPRESS are offering five readers the chance of winning a set of Plett

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NEWS & VIEWS

13 June 2018

‘Bouw-Spies must go’ to make way for new Knysna mayor

Words & photo: Candice Ludick

NYSNA appears to be under new leadership following an unforeseen unanimous vote of no confidence in mayor Eleanor Bouw-Spies during a council meeting on June 6, when the DA’s Bouw-Spies was replaced by Mark Willemse - a DA ward councillor and speaker of Eden District at the time. In an unexpected turn of events, the ANC supported Willemse’s nomination as mayor and also supported the nomination of COPE’s Elrick van Aswegen as his deputy. Interestingly, according to those who attended said council meeting, Willemse along with councillor Peter Myers and speaker Georlene Wolmarans were the only DA

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EBS GO AWAY: This is the message on one of the posters pictured here, the vocal crowd having marched from Knysna Municipality to the venue where a DA caucus meeting was underway

representatives present at the time of voting. Nonetheless, there was still a quorum in council and Willemse and his supporters allegedly believe that the decision to appoint him as mayor was fair and legal, particularly as the DA’s constitution makes provision for members to vote according to their own conscience.

The DA’s provincial leadership does not appear to share these sentiments and allegedly instructed Willemse to resign by 4pm on June 8. This sparked an outcry on social media and culminated in an impromptu protest in support for Willemse’s mayorship. Around 150 people gathered outside the municipality chanting: “On your

DA will ‘put the people of Knysna first’ CCORDING to a statement by DA Western Cape provincial leader Bonginkosi Madikizela on June 9, it is protocol that when members of a caucus lose confidence in their mayor, they notify the party to

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get concurrence to vote with their conscience. “This is established practice… it can never be acceptable for any member to make such a decision without notifying the party on matters that have such huge ramifications

as we’ve seen in Knysna,” said Madikizela, adding that provincial chair Anton Bredell joined him in addressing the caucus on the previous evening. According to the statement, the first problem is that DA member Mark

marks, get set, we are ready for Mark Willemse.” The marchers proceeded through the taxi rank to Oaks on Main, where a DA caucus meeting was in progress. The police were called in and protestors were asked to vacate the premises of the restaurant where the meeting was being held. They peacefully acquiesced and moved to a public space on the sidewalk across the road, where Willemse addressed the crowd, thanking them for their support and asking them to disperse so that the DA business would not suffer further disruption. At the time of going to print, Willemse was still the elected mayor. (See the report below.) Willemse who was elected as mayor is also the Eden District speaker and by law cannot accept a second executive position. “Secondly, voting with your conscience becomes questionable if you are the direct beneficiary, which is the case here,” he said. To page 4

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NEWS & VIEWS

13 June 2018

Wild West chase on N2 concludes with speedster’s death in Plett cells

It has been a busy week for crime fighters in Plettenberg Bay with several incidents ranging from a high-speed vehicle chase to a drug bust - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports URING the course of the morning on June 7, police and an alleged vehicle thief were involved in a high-speed chase that started in George and ended just outside Plett

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Primary School on the N2, when the driver of the stolen vehicle lost control and veered off the road. Operations head of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBC-

PA) Otto Olivier said a suspicious vehicle was spotted by a traffic official in Thembalethu and when he approached, the driver crashed into the official’s car and sped away towards Knysna.

Housing woes ignite N2 protest action

Traffic officials, police, and municipal law enforcement unit members were alerted and a chase ensued. “Several vehicles were damaged during the highspeed chase from George, through Wilderness, Sedgefield and Knysna,” Olivier said. He added the PBCPA Rapid Response unit had been alerted when the vehicle reached The Bush Pub off the Plett N2. “As the team turned onto the N2 at Piesang Valley, the vehicle sped past with law enforcement members in hot pursuit.” The driver lost control of the vehicle opposite the school. “He collided with two other cars and was forced to a standstill. The driver was arrested on the scene.”

Officials, however, confirmed later that evening that the suspect had been found dead in local holding cells. He was allegedly strangled by a cell mate. The matter is being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate. [Visit www.cxpress. co.za to view a video as the chase neared its end.] On the same day, Plett police had success in their battle against the drug trade when five suspects were arrested for, among others, the cultivation of dagga, on the outskirts of town. Police spokesman captain Marlene Pieterse said police obtained a search warrant for a farm in Rietvlei. “When police arrived at 1:30pm on June 7, they

found 47 dagga plants and close to 6.5kg of dagga on the property,” Pieterse said. She added that the estimated value of the drugs was not known at this stage. Five suspects between the ages of 19 and 47 were arrested on the spot. The group appeared in the Plett Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of dealing in, cultivation and possession of dagga. The matter was postponed for further investigation. Two days earlier a suspect, who allegedly stole a laptop, was arrested after a swift response by local K9, Rapid Response, and Plett Watch units. The culprit was arrested by PBCPA patrollers near Central Beach and the stolen goods recovered.

DA will ‘put the people of Knysna first’ Qolweni residents staged a protest on the N2 by nightfall on Monday, setting tyres and other objects alight and blocking the road. It is believed that the reason for the protest involved housing issues. Several informal homes in Qolweni were destroyed in a fire recently, highlighting the need for housing in the area. Police and other crime-fighting authorities responded to the protest and managed to disperse the crowd, but not before the action took a criminal turn. Several businesses, including Diamond Liquors in the industrial area, were looted. Some looters were arrested and so were several protestors. Pictured are Wesley Andrew, left, and Arthur Kayster of the PBCPA Rapid Response unit monitoring the scene. [By going to press on Tuesday, the N2 had once again been closed as rioting resumed.]

Wys hierdie KOEPON en ontvang ‘n gratis “TripTic” van die selfde waarde vir elke “TripTic” wat u aankoop voor of op 30 Junie 2018. Besoek dus al drie ons parke en spaar groot.

From page 3 The DA asked Willemse to resign as mayor for the two reasons stated above. He was given a deadline of 4pm on Friday but requested an extension until 9am on Saturday. Madikizela concluded: “It also appears that Mr

Willemse and Mr Myers have contravened section 3.5.1.7 of the DA constitution after their suspected mobilisation of the ANC to vote against the mayor. “We are expecting Mr Willemse’s resignation; the deputy will then become acting mayor until a new

mayor is elected. “This process will be expedited to ensure that service delivery is not affected. We put the people of Knysna first.” • By going to press, it had been announced that Willemse had resigned as speaker of Eden District.

NEWS & VIEWS

13 June 2018

Renew Able emissaries revealed, and reminded Words & photo: Timothy Twidle why single-use plastic sucks

ABLE AMBASSADORS: At the Single Use Plastic Sucks workshop held on World Environment Day were, from left at back, Debbie Fermor (Ingwe Forest Adventures & Cabins), Mark Brown (partially hidden - Nature’s Valley Trust), Owen Hough (Liquilicious), Lincoln Daries (La Vista Lodge) and Marie Morley (Plett Shed); at centre are Kathy Green (Cornerway House), Bev Peinke (The Pie Shop), Claire Randon (FreshBag), Flo Chabanel (Le Fournil de Plett), Nicola Ash (The Fat Fish), Renata Kenig (La Vista Lodge) and Rhian Berning of Renew Able Plett, with Lizel Mase (The Pie Shop) in front

N June 5’s World Environment Day, Renew Able Plett initiator Rhian Berning and Nature’s Valley Trust hosted a workshop entitled Single Use Plastic Sucks, attended by some 40 representatives of eateries and businesses around town. Berning, who has a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Cape Town, opened the workshop at Le Fournil de Plett by drawing a comparison between the natural world and humankind. Whereas nature and its animals recycle and reprocess waste to good use, humankind damages and litters the world. At present an estimated 8-million tons of plastic enter the oceans of the world annually, equivalent to a truckload of plastic rub-

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bish being emptied into the sea every minute. Five enormous gyres of plastic have accumulated in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, where the currents of these huge bodies of water meet and coalesce. It is feared that in the not too distant future there will be a greater mass of plastic in the seas than fish. Microscopic particles of plastic in edible ocean fish are already entering the human food chain, which could eventually have dire effects on the wellbeing of people. Every bit of plastic ever made still exists somewhere in the world. Berning told of some countries and cities that have now banned certain plastic items, including Australia, France, Kenya, Rwanda, Chile, Taiwan,

Montreal, and Seattle. From 2020, the UK and Northern Ireland plan a total ban on plastic ear buds, straws, and other single-use plastic items. South Africa has an enduring problem with plastic waste, in particular the use of plastic shopping bags, of which 8-billion are consumed annually. Analysis of International Coastal Clean-up data shows that the most common items of waste include cigarette ends, plastic beverage bottles and caps, glass beverage bottles, food wrappers and grocery bags, straws and other plastic items, and polystyrene foam takeaway containers. Plett produces on average 600 tons of rubbish every month, of which some 200 tons is poten-

tially recyclable. But only a quarter (c. 50 tons) comprising predominantly glass and to a lesser extent cans, cardboard, paper, and plastic, is presently being sorted for reuse. Berning said the message vis-à-vis waste has to be “refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, rot”; the latter refers to kitchen scraps and organic matter that can be either turned into compost for gardens or used as animal feed. Twenty local businesses have now taken up the challenge to reduce their consumption of plastic significantly, and were appointed as Renew Able Plett Ambassadors on World Environment Day. The fall from grace of plastic has been rapid and profound. Six decades ago, plastic was hailed as a wonder material. Today, as it spreads pollution across the planet and threatens its inhabitants, plastic is regarded, at best, as a necessary evil and at worst as a scourge to be eradicated. For more information on waste recycling in Bitou call Marie Jansen on 083 650 5620. • The first 10 businesses to email rhian@ecoatlas. co.za with a three-sentence motivation as to why their staff should receive training in waste minimisation will each win a one-hour interactive workshop.

Get your hands dirty during Greenpop’s Festival of Action AST week marked one year since the fires of 2017 and Greenpop invites readers to join in its Festival of Action to rehabilitate Eden District. The three-week event kicks off on June 23 and

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concludes on July 15, bringing together hardy, eager teams to regenerate habitats and restore ecosystems, as well as creating mass environmental impact by planting indigenous trees, building

beehives, holding eco-education workshops, and creating environmental art. Active local citizens keen to get their hands dirty are urged to join Greenpop for an exceptional experience. Eden

locals are offered a 20% discount on the Festival ticket price. Visit www.festivalof action.com to apply and follow www.facebook. com/Greenpop for additional information.

CXPRESS

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NEWS & VIEWS

13 June 2018

‘Dream’ preview a well-attended affair Words & photo: Timothy Twidle

UNCHBOX Theatre presented a preview performance of its new production, Dream, at The White House Theatre on May 31. A capacity audience drawn from all sectors of the community - including 34 learners from Hornlee Primary in Knysna - thoroughly enjoyed the play and enthusiastically applauded the cast of Mncedisi Ncedani, Amanda Valela and Stuart Palmer, together with direc-

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tor Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, after the final curtain. Written by Valela, Dream portrays the anguish and agony of a young boy at the loss of his sister. More importantly, its subliminal message is that children are a most vital asset of a nation. A country that fails to nourish and nurture its children is failing in its duty, as it is not preparing for the future. Today’s children must be equipped with the skills of education and knowledge, given a moral compass and be prepared to give direction

and leadership to their country in the years ahead. This is the important subtext that Valela has woven into her script. The play will première at Grahamstown’s National Arts Festival (June 28 to July 8). Lunchbox Theatre was founded just over 10 years ago in Plett and has to date presented a multitude of plays on different themes at festivals, schools and other institutions. It has received sponsorship for Dream from the National Lotteries Commission and Assitej SA.

KNYSNA EN MASSE: A whole classful of Hornlee Primary students accompanied by Petrus Thomas, at far right, and Maureen Charles of Redefined 101, at front left, enjoyed ‘Dream’; at right of centre in the back row is Lunchbox Theatre founder Stuart Palmer

One piano veteran and two rising stars Sono’ from Le Nozze gracing Ouland on Friday ‘Dove di Figaro (WA Mozart) •

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ONGRATULATIONS are due to Dr Anneke Lamont, who has been awarded the position of Senior Lecturer in Music (with the focus on piano teaching and research) at the University of the Free State. “This is a huge feather in her cap and an indication of her calibre as a musician and academic” said Jannie de Villiers - headmaster of Oakhill School, where Anneke was director of music. Audiences in both Knysna and Plett have had the privilege and pleasure in attending concerts of the highest musical calibre through the auspices of Anneke. The positive impact of the glorious ‘Voices for Hospice’ on our devastated communities last year when Richard Cock, Nicholas Nicolaides and a wealth of professional musicians and local choirs performed here will always be remembered.

Anneke, through her musical connections has now managed to organise two talented performers to slot into Plett at Ouland Royale on June 15: pianist Sulayman Human and soprano Cecilia Rangwanasha have been performing this week at FynArts in Hermanus and at Silver Mountain Music Festival in Grootvadersbos. They will interrupt their schedule to perform at Ouland Royale Baroque Barn this Friday. It promises to be a superb musical experience and will feature Dr Anneke Lamont at the piano. The programme includes • ‘Prelude and Fugue in A Flat major’ (48 Preludes and Fugues by JS Bach) • ‘Ebben! Ne Andro Lontano’ from La Wally (opera by A Catalani) • ‘Ride up in the Chariot’ (AfricanAmerican spiritual) • ‘Goldberg Variations Aria’ and five variations (JS Bach) •

‘Allegro’ from Sonata in C Major K330 (WA Mozart) • ‘Barcarolle’ (F Chopin) • Zueignung (R Strauss) • ‘Les Chemins de l’amour’ (F Poulenc) • ‘Summertime’ (G Gershwin) • ‘The Montagues and the Capulets’ (S Prokofiev) • ‘I could have danced all night’ from My Fair Lady (F Loew) • ‘Mali de slaaf se lied’ (S le Roex Marais) • ‘Etude Opus 10 no 4 in C Sharp minor’ (F Chopin) • ‘Isithandwa sam’ (BPJ Tyamzashe). Hospice Plett thanks all the musicians, organisers, and Ouland’s Wilja Reitz for their dedication and support. Doors open at 6pm and the concert starts at 6:30pm. Buy tickets at R300 each from Barny’s Info Kiosk at The Market Square (044 533 3219/082 744 1884) or by EFT (PlettAid Foundation, FNB branch 210514, acc no 620 480 95063, reference: your name/Stars).

BUSINESS

13 June 2018

CXPRESS

Let’s cut the fat out of the fuel-price mechanism N the hallowed words of Australian foreplay: “Brace yourselves…” there is more bad news on the horizon. We have dug deep for the past few months as the economy slid, the rand weakened, and now a second fuel price rise in a matter of months. The official petrol price is at an all-time high R15.54 for 93 octane and R15.79 for 95 octane (up by 82 cents per litre). Diesel rose by 85-87c/l and now costs R14.19 for 05% sulphur and another two cents for 005%. It’s not just the motoring and transport sectors that are being punished; wholesale illuminating paraffin costs an extra 82c/l and LP gas has shot up by a whopping 138c a litre - a crushing blow for poorer communities, particularly at the onset of winter. And don’t hold your breath. The Automobile Association has warned that if market conditions do not improve, we can expect another price increase next month, with fuel rising to R16 on an inexorable journey to R17 a litre. So what or who is to blame for these market conditions? Unsurprisingly, they are that well-cho-

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rused song: rising oil prices and a weak rand (against the dollar, in which international oil prices are the reigning currency). According to BusinessTech, the average rand/dollar exchange rate for the period April 25 to May 31 was 12,5099 compared to 11,9797 during the previous period, resulting in the continuing hikes. The latest hike, however, also takes into account under-recovery left over from April. Meanwhile the oil price keeps rising on the global market, too. Alas, this music is beginning to sound off-key. The price of fuel is subject to more bites than simply the rands we pay as end users. Some are no-brainers such as the cost of shipping from the Gulf and Singapore. Then there are internal storage and distribution costs, customs and excise duties, and retail margins. However, a big bite is that of the Fuel Price Levy; another is the Road Accident Fund (RAF). In light of the growing fuelprice burden on consumers, both these imposts are questionable. The Fuel Tax goes straight into the Treas-

ury and is not specifically linked to any motoring costs or improvements. It is now streaking beyond R3.37 on every litre of fuel sold at the pumps. Why do we have it? The RAF, established to help compensate victims of road accidents including their legal costs, adds another R2 or so to a litre of fuel. The fund has been subject to claims of abuse over the years. Do we need it? Together these two imposts add more than R5/ litre to fuel costs and are a major contributor to our rising inflation, impacting on all sectors of the economy - travel, transport, industry, and day-to-day living costs. And note, the ongoing price increases are more than the current inflation rate. The add-on effect of the rising cost of fuel will hit consumers where it hurts most: in the stomach! The SA agricultural sector takes a knock every time the price of fuel increases. It is estimated that every R1/litre hike results in a R1-billion increase in input costs to the agricultural sector. The knock is twofold - the direct influence of the oil price and

the indirect influence on crop inputs, such as fertilisers and pesticides. Writing in the Cape Messenger, FNB Agri-Business senior agricultural economist Paul Makube explained the cycle: “The summer crop season has ended and harvesting is in full swing with a total of 3,85 million hectares - and an additional 500,000 hectares of wheat is currently being planted in the Western Cape. This could easily translate to an additional cost of over R153-million. “Logistical companies in the agricultural value chain will also be hit hard. For example, over 80% of grain is transported by road. These costs will eventually be passed on to the consumer.” Makube does suggest a glimmer of hope: “We still expect the robust agricultural output for the 2017/18 season, coupled with huge carryover grain stocks to provide some cushion for consumers in the short term. Reports that major oil producers such as Russia and Saudi Arabia will boost output should help put downward pressure on oil prices and possibly halt further increases at the pump.”

7 Stuart Murray

• Stuart Murray (stuartmurray758@gmail.com) is a former senior assistant editor of Financial Mail and co-founder, editor, and CEO of Finance Week. He is retired and lives in Plett.

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INTERVAL

13 June 2018

Doctor, doctor... • A young man, fresh out of school, went to see his doctor one day. “Doc, there’s something wrong with me. Every time I stand in a baby’s high chair and face southwest, and then touch my tongue to a piece of aluminium foil that’s wrapped around a pine cone, I get a strange tingle in my big toe. “Can you tell me what the problem is?” “Sure,” the doctor replied, “you have way too much time on your hands.” • Die dokter ondersoek Koos se toekomstige vrou. Toe hy klaar is, roep hy Koos eenkant toe. Dokter: “Kyk, dis ‘n lelike ding waaroor ons ongelukkig nou moet praat.” Koos: “Ek weet dokter, maar sy het baie geld.” • The doctor gave a man six months to live. The man couldn’t pay his bill, so the doctor gave him another six months. • Doctor: “How is your headache?”

Patient: “She’s out of town.” • I went to see my doctor this morning, and raged: “Someone decided to graffiti my house last night!” “So why are you telling me?” my doctor asked. “I can’t understand the writing,” I replied. “Was it you?” • “But doctor,” lamented the young husband in counselling, “whenever Sue and I quarrel, she becomes historical.” “You mean ‘hysterical’?” asked the doctor. “No, ‘historical’. She starts digging up my past.” • “Doctor, I think I’m a moth,” said the patient. “It’s not a doctor you need, it’s a psychiatrist.” “I was on my way there when I saw your light on.” • “You see, doc, I’m always dizzy for half an hour after I get up in the morning,” said Carla. “Well, try getting up half an hour later,” said her doctor.

How long have you worked at your current job?

How old are you?

How’s that possible?

The cure for lateness OB had this problem of getting up late in the morning and was always late for work. After a few weeks of this, his boss was mad and threatened to fire him if he didn’t do something about it. So, Bob went to his doctor, who gave him a pill and told him to take it before he went to bed.

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Bob got a great night’s sleep and actually beat the alarm in the morning. After a leisurely breakfast, he cheerfully drove to work. “Boss,” he said, “I’m so happy. The pill my doctor subscribed me actually worked!” “That’s all fine,” said the boss, “but where were you yesterday?”

The intelligent husband HE wife was busy packing her clothes. Her husband asked: “Where are you going?” “I’m moving to my mother,” she replied. As her hubby also started packing, she asked: “Now where are you going?”

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“I’m also moving to my mom,” he replied. “And what about the kids?” his wife asked. “Well I guess if you are moving to your mother and I’m moving to my mother, then they should move to their mother.”

Pride is what you feel when your kids net R1,000 from a garage sale. Panic is what you feel when you realise your car is missing.

40 years

35 years old

Overtime

What does your dad do? N the first day of the new academic year the school secretary asked: “What’s your father’s occupation?” “He’s a magician, Ma’am” said little Johnny.

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“How interesting. What’s his favourite trick?” “He saws people in half.” “Wow! Next question. Any brothers or sisters?” “One half brother and two half sisters.”

SOCIAL SCENE

13 June 2018 KNYSNA MAGIC TO EMBRACE THE WORLD: This message was conveyed by Knysna Tourism chair Elmay Bouwer in her opening speech at the launch of new destination marketing campaign #spiritofknysna on June 5 at Turbine Hotel. Said Bouwer: “For the purposes of marketing the Greater Knysna, we need to begin to share the magic of Knysna with the world again.” A two-minute video - funded by Wesgro, who gave Knysna Tourism R100,000 to market the town after last year’s fires - was produced by filmmaker Daron Chatz. In the video models and local personalities transport the viewer to the magic of the lagoon, forest, and beaches stretching from Knysna to Sedgefield, accompanied by a vibrant original soundtrack by local musician Tigger Reunert. The video is available on the Knysna Tourism website and can be shared from its YouTube channel. At left, Daron is flanked by, from left, Ace Models owner Charmaine Kruger, and models Mbali Hlangani and Leigh-Zane Hartzenberg. - Gigi Lewis

GIVING THANKS: A Service of Thanksgiving was held on June 7 at Holy Trinity Church in Belvidere on the first anniversary of the terrible fires of 2017. In attendance were, from left, Elinor Clegg, Holy Trinity organist for the past 33 years Lorna Watt, Mike Turner and Derick Clegg, all of Knysna. The Rev Jerome Prins delivered the sermon, in which he mentioned how the people of Knysna had evinced humanity an eagerness to help those in need and understanding their grief. A feature of the service was a moment of Healing and Anointing, when members of the congregation had their hands anointed with oil. Visit www. cxpress.co.za for a gallery of the Plett fire commemoration on Central Beach.

Photo: Timothy Twidle

Valuation Days in the Garden Route South African Paintings & Sculpture • Furniture • Silver • Oriental Ceramics

Pieter Wenning, The Yellow House (Bishopscourt in Winter) R500 000 - 700 000 from The Labia Family Trust PLETTENBERG BAY – The Plettenberg, Look-out Rocks, 40 Church Street Monday 25 June 2018, 10am to 4pm R20 per item. Proceeds will be donated to the Sabrina Love Foundation.

Invitation to a Lecture at 6pm: Understanding Market Trends: An exploration of recent decorative arts and painting sales at auction KNYSNA – Cearn Hall, Hall Street, Leisure Isle Tuesday 26 June 2018, 11.30am to 2.30pm

GEORGE – Fancourt, Montagu Street, Blanco Wednesday 27 June 2018, 10am to 2pm

R20 per item. Proceeds will be donated to the Friends of the Knysna Library.

R20 per item. Proceeds will be donated to the Sabrina Love Foundation.

For a confidential and obligation-free appointment contact 021 683 6560 | ct@straussart.co.za We are currently accepting consignments for our October 2018 auction in Cape Town. www.straussart.co.za Strauss & Co: The global leader in the South African art market

CXPRESS

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People, places & events

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CXPRESS

13 June 2018

CLASSIFIEDS

Handyman on call - 082 492 4417 / 072 724 6590

ON THE SOAPBOX

13 June 2018

Letters to the Editor

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

Pack instinct stronger than master’s instruction Your headline ‘Senseless slaughter puts the spotlight on responsible rearing of vicious dogs’ [turn to page 11 of the June 6 edition at www.cxpress.co.za] is grossly misleading.

Dogs do not have to be vicious to succumb to their pack instinct. I had a similar experience on my smallholding in Johannesburg, where I had my flock of eight

‘lawnmowers’ - also Dorper. I had my watchdogs, too, the only danger to intruders being that they might be licked to death. I returned from golf one day to find that MY dogs

had mauled the sheep (with whom they came into contact daily). The instigator? My spayed, middle-aged Yorkie. You can never tell. Andrew Forbes, Plett

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Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

La Luna

Plett volunteers for Madiba’s Trees revival sought in time for Tata’s centenary on July 18 I was involved with the planting of Madiba’s 90 Trees in 2008; the project has been neglected since, but half the trees have survived. I have consulted with Jeremy Basson of Bitou’s Parks and Recreation department and we have agreed on the following points: • He will ensure that the fence is repaired to prevent stock damaging the trees. • A water point will be made available. • The grass will be cut regularly, with assurance that the machines won’t

damage the trees. • The relevant department will place appropriate refuse bins on site (there is always a lot of broken glass on the site). Volunteers managed by myself, Charles Reitz, and Shirley Joseph will care for the trees on a regular basis. We are planning a ceremonial planting and dedication on Wednesday July 18 (Madiba’s Day) at 3pm. We already have four committed heroes and the wholehearted support of Jeremy Basson,

and anyone who would like to get involved can get in touch with me on 072 195 7722, Shirley on 073 251 7726, or Charles on 082 424 0055. We assure you of our cooperation at all times. Jean Sparg, Plett (We remember well the joyous occasion of the Madiba’s Trees planting a decade ago, when Jean was instrumental in establishing this ‘tribute park’ adjacent to the N2, close to the new court precinct in New Horizons. The fact that half of the 90 trees

survived is quite surprising and makes the revival plan for this special spot all the more laudable, not least because 2018 marks the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela. According to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, “this provides a unique opportunity for people around the world to reflect on his life and times and to promote his legacy�, and the foundation sets out to create appropriate platforms for such engagement throughout this year. - Eds.)

Wiggles and giggles make for a marvellous fundraiser Our All-Star Zumbathon in aid of Muddy Pooches and sensei Elrie Bosman was a huge success, totalling over 110 participants from as far as Oudtshoorn, George, Sedgefield, and Knysna. The fundraiser filled the hall with a ton of wiggles, smiles, and giggles all round, and ended way too quickly. We thank everyone who participated - our instructors were awesome, our sponsors amazing, and our participants were STARS one and all. Instructors who joined us included Celine from Knysna, Shawn from Sedgefield, and Ange and Melissa from George. Main sponsors for the stunning prizes and goody bags were Redford House, Montagu Dried Fruit and Nuts, Gaia Organics, Global Village, Trendy Treats, The Old Rectory, Kay and Monty Vineyard, Ouland Royale, Full Circle, Katia Rowlands, Ingrid de Klerk, Masons Packaging, Periwinkle Lodge, Fran van Rooyen, Andri Muller Tupperware, Bocca Dolce, Dr Andre Reitz, Elisma from Avon, Val Stroud, Anne Phillips, Robyn Brouckaert, Annemarie from Oudtshoorn, and HiQ. The gorgeous main raffle was sponsored by Zootgear. - Claudia and Merle, Zumba Plett (Pictured with Merle, at left, is lucky winner Tracy-Ann Roman who scored a two night stay for four people at Redford House in The Crags. Well done to Merle and Claudia for the best jorl one could have while getting fit and fantabulous. - Eds.)

Look out for differently-abled parking and design bugbears This letter is part of my Differently-abled Awareness Campaign and this time I would like to look at parking and entrances in Plettenberg Bay. Just try to imagine yourself on crutches - you are wobbly, insecure, and so very scared of falling. Now comes the time to experience what many other differently-abled children and grown-ups have to endure - some, forever. Having just one step at an entrance can prevent access by a person using a wheelchair, walker, cane or crutches, also making it difficult for many other people with mobile disabilities. All steps should in any event have a strip across them at the edges as they may be difficult to negotiate if the lighting is poor. Loose mats are a definite no-no, it is so easy to trip and lose your balance, so these must be removed in all shops and restaurants.

All floors should be nonslip and firm. Where one or two steps exist at an entrance, access can be given by using an alternative accessible entrance, or adding a short ramp, modifying the area in front or to the side of the entrance to eliminate a step. It must be quite clearly indicated if there is an alternative entrance and if this access is generally kept locked, a buzzer or bell should be added at an easily reachable height. The entrance must be wide enough and uncluttered; hinge doors add additional space. If there is an existing ramp, is there a level platform at the top? Is the entrance wide enough and uncluttered? Handrails are of utmost importance if there is a slope to the entrance, and should be easy to grip, even for a child. In some cases two rails can

be installed depending on the gradient. It is better to grade the area adjacent to the ramp to avoid abrupt drop-offs. Edge protection is very important as it prevents people in wheelchairs accidentally rolling or having one crutch, side of a walker or cane slip off the edge of the ramp, with disastrous consequences. Parking is the bugbear of so many differentlyabled and elderly folk. An accessible parking space must have space for the vehicle and additional space located to the right or to the left, and also the back of the space. This additional space is needed to permit a person using a wheelchair, electric scooter or other mobility device to get out of the vehicle or van. Gravel should never be even remotely considered near disabled parking bays, as it is almost im-

possible to wheel yourself through gravel. This would apply to mothers with prams as well. Wading through thick gravel even if you are able-bodied is bad enough. Why gravel is even strewn near any establishment is beyond my comprehension. Disabled parking should be on a level area and if there is a slope with ramps, it must have a stable, non-slip surface. Look around you to see how many businesses have disabled parking with a step up to the walkway in front, which means that the person in the wheelchair or whatever equipment has to brave the traffic flow to find an entrance that is lowered and allows them to get in and out of the store. Bad design. Please write to me at ritav@global.co.za if you encounter problems. Rita Hardaker, Plett

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CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

13 June 2018

Knysna, Plett represented at recent Disability Bowls SAs in George SEEN ON GEORGE GREEN: Julie Deferville during her stint in the ‘boys team’ when Eden’s men were, erm, one man short

LETT bowler Julie Deferville recently returned home after competing in the SA National Disability Bowls Tournament held in George from May 26 to June 2. “My participation was unexpected and at very short notice, having been scouted during a bowls game in Knysna the week before, when one of the players said I should be part of the upcoming event in George,” explains Julie. Said player happened to be

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the president of the PDBSA (Physically Disabled Bowlers of South Africa) Chris Patton, who recently relocated to Knysna from Pretoria and is therefore now part of the Eden District team. “I was duly medically graded on the Saturday before the tournament started and was thus eligible to participate in the Ladies’ Singles. I was then also invited to help out by playing in the Men’s Pairs, as the Eden team was

one member short!” Apart from Julie (Plettenberg Bay Bowling Club) and Chris (Knysna), other Eden District disabled team players in this year’s tournament included Crystal Barlow from George Bowling Club. “Crystal used to play for Sedgefield and has played on our Plett greens many times,” says Julie, adding that she managed to win a silver medal in this, her very first, tournament.

To his great credit Chris a SANParks stalwart who works from Garden Route National Park’s Thesen Island office - is one of the three Springbok players who recently participated in the Commonwealth Games in Australia. Contact him on 044 302 5624 or at chris.patton@ sanparks.org if you would like to find out more about PDBSA tournaments and additional information.

Plett Surf Lifesaving Club awards Lifetime Honorary Membership to ‘Reekie Sr’ When Plett Surf Lifesaving Club held its AGM on Thursday June 7, the well-attended gathering and vote for new committee members to fill vacancies went as smoothly as can be. But one club member who received quite a surprise, albeit a very pleasant one, was Alan Reekie when it was announced that he would receive Lifetime Honorary Membership for his excellent service to the club over many years. Alan is pictured at right a few weeks earlier with his grandson Matthew Reekie, when the latter collected three golds and six silver medals during the prize-giving at the end of Nippers Season 2017/18. He also won the top U11 boy trophy for having scored the highest points during the club champs in February. On that occasion, Alan was gifted a bottle of the finest Scotch for serving as Nippers coach for longer than some of the youngsters on hand had walked the planet… many congrats!

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