14 February 2018

14 February 2018

Published every Wednesday by CXpress 2006 (Pty) Ltd - PO Box 1449, Plettenberg Bay 6600 - 6 Park Lane, Plettenberg Bay - Tel: 044 533 1004 - Fax: 044 533 0852 Email: editor@cxpress.co.za / advertising@cxpress.co.za Web page: www.cxpress.co.za Printed by Group Editors

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Photo: Ewald Stander

Fired! Or not…?

About 60 Bitou law enforcement officers and firefighters heard last week that their contracts had been terminated, but after a huge outcry, this process has been placed on hold - more on page 3.

We wish all our readers a surprise-filled Valentine’s Day!

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

14 February 2018

‘Slow Town’ word toe ‘WOW Town’!

JASPER SCHELLINGERHOUT van Sedgefield het hierdie nabetragting met ons gedeel om saam te val met Valentynsdag, want dié meisie is almal se liefling...

EDGEFIELD, die plek wat sy naam ontleen aan biesiesagtige moerasgrasse waarvan ook matgoed geweef kan word, het sowaar g’n sprietjie gras onder sy voete laat groei met die groot-groot verwelkoming onlangs van sy spesiale supermeisie nie.

Uitbundige trots oor hul eie Mej Heelal, Demi-Leigh NelPeters, dis wat dié Tuinroetedorp vertoon het en nog steeds lekker oor gons. Geen ouderdomsperk kon dié trots keer nie. Selfs met kieries en looprame was hulle daar. En in babawaentjies. Wat ‘n belewenis!

En nou, met al dié euforie van ‘n sprankel-nooientjie nog vlak in die geheue, is die rooi en die mooi van Valentynsdag boonop ook op ons. Ai tog, Demi-Leigh, jy laat dink talle weer vars aan die misterie van die liefde met jou skoonheid en sprankel. ‘n Liefde wat kon gewees het; ‘n liefde waarvan stil gedroom word; wat opnuut waardeer word... Salig-gelukkig die ‘ou’ wat jou ‘Valentyn’ kan wees of jou hand wen, dink miljoene dromers wêreldwyd.

As oudjoernalis, wat nie juis meer hardloop vir ‘n “almalmoet-weet-storie” nie, wou ek Demi se groot dag in ‘Sedge’ ook nie mis nie. Die voelbare opwinding wat die dorp volgelê het oor haar het ook by ons adres uitgekom. Dit was so aansteeklik soos pampoentjies in ‘n koshuis.

Ek is met my vrou, plus my Nikon met telefotolens vort om die wêreldskoonheid van so naby as moontlik te sien en te kiek. Steeds het ek nie verleer om ‘n goeie storie en ‘n nuusfoto raak te sien nie, en ek wou weer die sfeer van ‘n groot storie voel - een wat na ons toe gekom het via ‘n spesiale skoonheid, enig in die ganse wêreld: Mej

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ONSE DEMI: Mej Heelal het met haar Sedgefield kuier bewys dat mense - oud, jonk, arm of ryk - vir haar die wêreld beteken - Foto: Jasper S

Heelal. Óns dorp se Demi! In ‘n tyd waar ‘n ooraanbod van slegte nuus jou naar maak, was dit iets positief en lekker.

Nogal interessant: 36 jaar gelede het ek met ‘n ander ikoon van die wêreld, hartpionier prof, Dr Chris Barnard, hier in die einste Sedgefield ‘n onderhoud gevoer oor sy destydse beesstoetery langs Swartvlei.

Die ereparade van DemiLeigh was iets besonder en tog ook nie pure prag en praal nie. Eerder eenvoudige oorsponklikheid, gelaai met uitgelatenheid en jovialiteit. Dit het presies by ‘n meisie soos sy gepas. Met baie min tyd vir die reël van die blitsverwelkoming het die organiserende komitee puik werk gedoen en verdien hul groot dank. Maar vir almal was dit frustrerend kortstondig, nes ‘n Desembervakansie.

Hartverwarmend was honderde se spontane kreet van “Demi… Demi!” langs die some van Sedgefield se strate. “Love you; Trots op jou, Demi!; Proud of you, Dems!; Jy is pragtig,

meisiekind…; Jy maak ons trots; Wow, you’re stunning!” Dit was die soort sêgoed tussen die geklik van honderd kameras en selfone.

Mooi op die oor. Nog mooier om dit alles so te sien en in te drink, veral om vir Demi-Leigh nie in die koerant nie, maar sélf te sien. Sowaar, ons was soos Psalm 126 se mense wat helder wakker in ‘n droom was…

Besonder treffend was dit om te merk sy is regtig nog ‘Sedge’ se Demi, die kind wat hier ‘n skooldogterjie was. Sy het met haar spontaniteit, oogkontak, en duisende kere se “dankie julle!” gewys sy’s een van ons.

Nie kykend hier van bo af omdat “Miss Universe” skuins oor haar skouer geskryf staan wat haar ‘n vrypas tot verhewenheid kon gee nie. Alles behalwe.

Demi, jy het my en die duisende beïndruk hiermee.

Ons verstaan hoekom Las Vegas se beoordelaars jou gekies het. Saam met The Platters wil ek vir jou sing: “Stay as sweet as you are / Don’t let a thing ever change you / Stay as sweet

as you are / Don’t let a soul rearrange you…”

Die hele Sedgefield - ook dié wat nie eens kan sing nie - sal dit saam wil sing vir jou. Jy het dit seker nodig waar jy jou nou bevind tussen baie hoë mense en by talle glansgeleenthede in jou uiters vol jaar van pligte as mooiste meisie in die wêreld.

Ook treffend wat Sedgefield sal onthou is dat Demi-Leigh haar eie selfoon kort-kort laat kliek het om haar aanhangers en mededorpenaars te kiek. En toe sy telkens ‘n kort woordjie met vele aangeknoop het en die swart Audi A5 soms tot stilstand gepraat het, het Demi iets spesiaal vertoon: Mense is vir my belangrik; ek waardeer julle.

Doodgewone Sedgefieldmense, arm en ryk, jonk en oud. Kom ons dink ‘n bietjie hardop: daar is seker baie wat nou kan roem: “Mej Heelal het mý afgeneem.”

Wel, daardeur het sy geslaag om haar bekendheid op unieke wyse met ander te deel en die fokus weg van haarself te verskuif. Soveel anders as die ydele selfie-nemery van ons tyd.

Ironies genoeg het dié rep-enroer-dinge gebeur op die eerste dag van die week van ‘n seldsame blou maan. En ons ken mos die uitdrukking van “once in a blue moon…”

Wel, Demi het gesorg dat die “once” toe vir Sedgefield aangebreek het. Ons dorp sal dit nooit kan vergeet nie. Sekere indrukke verlaat ‘n mens nooit nie.

Al dié groot dinge het Sedgefield se leuse ‘n wyle erg bedreig.

Die sogemaade “Slow Town” het met reg uitgerafel en was pure “WOW Town”. En dis alles net jóú skuld, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters. Maar met die “Vryheid van Knysna en Sedgefield” wat aan jou toegeken is, sal ons jou maar daarmee laat wegkom.

Kom tog gou terug en maak Sedgefield gerus weer ‘n slag die “Wow Town” wat ons knope doer laat trek van trots.

NEWS & VIEWS

14 February 2018

CXPRESS

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Sacked municipal workers’ contracts being relooked, but Bitou now ‘vulnerable’

The termination of contracts of about 60 law enforcement officers and firefighters has been placed on hold after a furore erupted last week when the workers were told that their contracts, some of which only expire on June 30, had been ended - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports HE group of shocked municipal employees gathered at Piesang Valley Community Hall last Wednesday after hearing the news that their contracts would not be renewed.

One of the affected workers, Bitou Law Enforcement officer Neil Cupido, said they had been informed just after 7am the previous day to attend a meeting at the council chambers, where they were informed of their fate at 8am.

He said they had been told their contracts, some of which commenced in November and expire on June 30, had been terminated due to financial issues.

He added that there was no prior notice and they were yet to receive notice of the termination in writing.

Many of the workers have been employed by the municipality as part of its Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) since 2013.

Sacked law enforcement officer TK Gqabi - hailed a hero recently for playing a major role in tracking down the man who alleg-

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HERO GETS THE BOOT: Thandikhaya ‘TK’ Gqabi is one of the municipal employees who heard last week that his contract would not be renewed - only days after being instrumental in nailing several suspects in two recent brutal attacks

edly raped and killed Plett resident Penny Cumming, as well as suspects involved in the brutal February 5 attack on a gentleman in his Keurbooms Heights home said that without the boost of the EPWP workers, there was a major shortage of hands to deal with public safety effectively.

He added that the town was now vulnerable to disaster, since only about 10 permanently-employed law en-

forcement officers remained, including learner officers and management, within the municipality structures.

Firefighter Mandla Speelman said all of them put their lives on the line daily to serve the community, and that the termination of their contracts was a slap in the face. He believed the termination was illegal, as there had been no notice of early termination before they were informed last Wednesday.

Gqabi and Speelman said over and above their concerns about the town’s vulnerability, they also worried about how they would provide for their families, as most of them were the only breadwinners.

Acting municipal manager Johnny Douglas said in a statement that the intended terminations had now been placed on hold, following urgent interventions at political and administrative level.

He added that this was to provide municipal administration time to prepare a substantive report to be presented to council at a meet-

Four-year saga of sex-pest dentist revisited ISGRACED George dentist Ian Venter, currently serving a sentence for the sex crimes involving a young boy, will know his fate in a second similar matter in April.

The dad of three was sentenced in December 2014 to four years’ house arrest following his conviction on several charges including sex with a minor boy.

Four months later, Venter was arrested yet again for allegedly sexually assault-

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ing a 12-year-old boy during a sleepover at his Herold’s Bay home on April 11, 2015.

He was also arrested in May last year for allegedly contravening the conditions of his 2014 sentence, one of which was not being allowed to work with children. He was, however, allegedly treating children at his dental practice while serving his sentence.

The contempt of court matter is set to be moved

to Thembalethu Regional Court on March 1, while judgment in the sexual assault case will be handed down on April 11.

“We sincerely trust that the justice system will take this judgment extremely seriously,” said Women and Men Against Child Abuse spokesman Joanne Barrett.

“Crimes like these are totally incomprehensible and should not be tolerated.

Children have a right to safety wherever they are.”

ing at the end of February, to consider the continued employment or termination of the workers.

He explained that the EPWP was an initiative of national government under the auspices of the national Public Works department, which pays an incentive grant to Bitou for among

others the training and stipends of EPWP workers.

The municipality adds to the grant from its operational budget. Douglas said the incentive grant had already been fully spent by November last year.

“Early indications are that the Bitou budget will not be sufficient until the end of

the current financial year,” Douglas said.

He added that ordinarily the incentive grant would cover the entire financial year, but that last year an additional 180 EPWP employees had been recruited, to assist with the mop-up after the June fires, as part of the rebuild initiative.

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

14 February 2018

Recent attacks reiterate the fact that we’re all in this together MIKE KANTEY ponders the impact of several decades of crimefighting, culminating in the current state of smooth cooperation of all Plettenberg Bay security operators spent some time in the Southern Suburbs in Cape Town in the 1990s and 2000s, first combatting crime as part of a coordinated effort among neighbours (the neighbourhood watch-system) and the old Community Police Forums (CPFs) - especially Claremont, Rondebosch, and Mowbray police stations.

Later on, I was commissioned by SABMiller to compile and project manage a Community Police Forum Manual, during which time I worked with the Provincial Department of Community Safety, the Provincial SAPS, and what was then known as a “civilian oversight” committee - essentially, some of the heads of the CPFs. In sharp contrast, however, was the Self-Defence Units, or SDUs of the Apartheid Era in the townships, when a virtual civil war was at hand, with the infamous “Witdoeke” attacking the self-styled “Comrades” in the squatter camps of Crossroads and Nyanga Bush on the Cape Flats.

Equal power was granted to armed gangsters of the traditional “Coloured”

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townships of Manenberg, Elsies River, and Valhalla Park, to name a few.

I remember one of my comrades approaching a gangster in the notorious gangland of Tafelsig in “Mitchell’s Complain” during the national election campaign of 1999, and innocently asking the fellow as to who he would be voting for.

Quick as a flash, the gangster hauled out what looked like a Viking broad sword and said, defiantly: “Ek gat virrie DA stem en wat gat djy daa’van maak?” (I’m going to vote for the Democratic Alliance and what are you going to do about it?”)

When I arrived in Plettenberg Bay 10 years ago, therefore, I was hoping to get away from the chaos and confusion of Cape Town, but alas! - the violence seemed to follow when Beverly Sapire (equally a refugee from Cape Town) was murdered outside Lookout Deck.

It was then that I fell in with Otto Olivier, Bruce Richardson, and others to build the network of citizenry, private security companies, and SAPS members

to establish the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA).

We laboured to strengthen and deepen neighbourhoodwatch structures in both the CBD and outlying areas of Bitou Municipality, whereas Bruce and his colleagues built up an impressive security network for the annual Plett Rage student festival.

A decade later, I am suitably amazed and enthralled to see how brilliant and effective was the coordinated response from the PBCPA and Municipal Law Enforcement (MLE) officers in capturing so swiftly the perpetrators of a murderous assault on the man from Keurboom Heights, first by finding his stolen car on the following morning, and then by capturing all three suspects that same morning.

In light of our recent past, however, what is even more uplifting is the perfect cooperation among all sectors of society from Keurboom Heights to KwaNokuthula, cutting right across the ingrained barriers of race, class, and language.

I have seen the future, and it works.

Bitou locals agree: it’s high time for President Jacob Zuma to go Khaya Mbesi

ANY people in Plett expressed frustration over the ANC’s failure to host the State of the Nation Address (SONA), which was expected to be delivered last Thursday, but was postponed to a “soon to be announced” date.

Residents interviewed by CXPRESS voiced their dismay over Jacob Zuma’s refusal to let a new president take over the reins.

One of these, Simphiwe John from KwaNokuthula, felt strongly that Zuma should be arrested for his corruption, and said Zuma should know that he is being regarded as a thief for his alleged criminal activities.

“He should surrender himself to the law. He will have no powers once he is an ordinary citizen. If he loses his post, let them pound on him and arrest him along with his alleged Gupta partners.

“He wants to bring this country to its knees before he leaves. He is a danger to our country. In his speeches, he continuously promised us that he would fight crime and corruption. But all the accusations show that he was the main corruptor.

“I am happy he is not speaking. He was going to

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tell us more lies and make more false promises. Together with his partners he has killed the ANC, and I am sure he is very scared to go to prison.

“He should be forced to pay back all his debt. He was voted in by the people, not by himself. I’m glad that the ANC has elected another president now,” he said.

Vathiswa Nyama of Bossiesgif said Zuma wanted to dominate everything and everyone. “There are no jobs, and he has lost all the metros. What remains for him in that chair? He must give the new ANC president a chance.

“He has not improved the economy - we are still under white rule and we are beggars in our own country,” said Nyama.

Another resident, Silumko Magugu, was spitting fire about Zuma and the firstever SONA postponement.

“The ANC must stop ignoring the problem and protecting an individual above the organisation.

Corruption has increased beyond all boundaries and everybody is blaming Mr Zuma for it.

“Once one person is arrested, people will become scared. While protecting him, they are killing the organisation. We must thank

all the opposition parties for standing up to get rid of him.

“There is hope from Ramaphosa, but it will take a long time for the ANC to recover. The veterans saw this a long time ago and they are very embarrassed by Mr Zuma. The ANC should not point fingers to other people - only to themselves.

“God is not on his side.

South Africa deserves a better leader than this joke of a Zuma,” said Magugu.

Others concurred that Zuma had no conscience, and called for his arrest.

Originally from KwaZuluNatal, Silindile Shongwe who now resides in KwaNokuthula, said: “Zuma has killed a sheep, now Zuma wants to kill a cow for him to move out of the office.”

According to Siphamandla Tungani, Zuma’s reign was “inappropriate”.

“Instead of trying to be more influential on BBBEE [Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment] he looked away, allowing foreigners to have the most shares in our country.

“This will have a negative impact on our lives, although investment is good for South Africa. Tourism will decrease because of these problems.

“Zuma must go.”

NEWS & VIEWS

14 February 2018

CXPRESS

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Political commentator Malala pulls off a difficult talk at an awkward time

BOB HOPKIN reports on a recent talk by an eminent political observer INANCIAL services group PSG chose a delicate time last week to invite author, journalist, political commentator, and TV host Justice Malala to address two investor meetings in Knysna and George on the topic of the South African political and economic landscape.

Although no doubt planned some months in advance, the talk was to some extent overshadowed by the rapid evolution of the national presidential struggle between newly-elected ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa and incumbent Zuma.

Nevertheless, Malala brought valuable insights into the detail - not just of the key figures in the battle for supremacy, but also those in more junior positions of power who may be able to influence policy after the top job has been decided.

Malala emphasised that, whilst many local politi-

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POSITIVE FOR THE FUTURE: Justice Malala at the George presentation

cians have a parochial view of their activities, financial markets and rating agencies are constantly adjusting their positions based upon their assessment of the viability of the country.

“My view is that we are gradually changing from an institutional uncertainty situation to an age of ‘principle in politics’ thanks to the Ramaphosa

Effect,” he said.

However, observers who are aware that key state organs such as the NPA, SARS, and the Hawks have in effect been ‘captured’, need to see that rectified before international confidence will start being restored.

His view was that, while Ramaphosa’s win for the ANC head was marginal, now in place his support would grow within the party and many voters who despaired of the ANC and switched their votes during Zuma’s reign, would return.

This will be to the detriment of opposition parties the DA, EFF and, in particular, COPE who, he believed, would become irrelevant.

“Ramaphosa is no angel,” he said, “but at least he seems to be a man of principle who demonstrated this as far back as 1989, standing up to Winnie Mandela when she was

at her most powerful.”

When asked what he felt would happen in the immediate future, Malala said he foresaw several “bumps in the road”.

“Although Ramaphosa knocked the nuclear electricity generation option on its head at the recent Davos summit, Zuma’s recent statements promising land appropriation without compensation and free higher education won’t go away and will need to be resolved with great delicacy,” he said.

“Also, some years ago a group of eminent economists and politicians got together to create the National Development Plan, which was effectively shelved during Zuma’s tenure.

“The best thing that could happen is for this plan - that promised economic growth between 6% and 7% - to be dusted off, updated, and implemented as soon as possible.”

New Horizons Court set for completion end-March The new court building in New Horizons is nearing the end of construction and will be officially opened late next month, according to GVK-Siya Zama’s senior contracts manager for the project Jaco Kotze - who didn’t want to say much about recent delays reported. Workers complained that rain during the final throes of last year meant they could not work for several days. “In construction, once you lose a few days’ work, the delay hits you hard towards your handover date,” said Kotze, adding that representatives from the national Justice department in Pretoria were expected to be in attendance to hand over the building to local government. “It will change the face of New Horizons and we are very excited about the process.” Marcia Rala, who has been doing catering for workers from a spot adjacent to the construction site, said she was very excited about the prospect of a permanent trading space. “If I could run the restaurant inside, it would bring me great joy,” said Rala. - Words and photo: Khaya Mbesi

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

14 February 2018

JAM boosts Bitou Family Care crèche Words & photo: Khaya Mbesi

ITOU Family Care is building a four-room crèche with kitchen and bathroom facilities and a fenced-in playground for the children of Bossiesgif.

The Plett NPO is supported

by Joint Aid Management (JAM), and will welcome 17 German volunteers to Plett later this month, when they will assist with the construction and painting of the crèche.

Stephan and Elisabeth Wentz established Bitou Family Care (BFC) after starting seeing the dire need for foster care in Plett’s poorer areas in 2009. They are very excited about their cooperation with JAM, as it will allow them to accommodate more kids.

“We have even roped in JAM South Africa director David Brown, who now also serves on our Bitou Family Care board,” enthused Elizabeth.

“The old playgrounds will be turned into a football field. We had to come up with plans before these developments so that they did not inconvenience the children. As you know, we discourage children from using alcohol or drugs and having sex at an early age, and focus on empowering them with information and life-skills education.

“We also teach them not to regard skin colour in re-

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COMPASSIONATE COUPLE: Stephan and Elisabeth Wentz of Bitou Family Care at the construction site in Bossiesgif

lationships. My child’s skin is white but when he plays with the kids in the township, he appreciates the games without taking note of the differently-coloured skins of his playmates. We wish everyone would follow the kids’ example.”

Stephan Wentz said they hoped to stabilise the jobs of their existing staff, and build fundraising structures to assist with growing the project.

David Brown was on his way overseas when CXPRESS called to ask about JAM’s partnership role in the Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre.

“We believe children deserve a better future. Only 23% of pre-school children receive adequate nutrition and 27% of them are stunted as a result. These children cannot play or learn.

“JAM feeds more than 110,000 pre-school children daily in all nine provinces.

Community leaders along with provincial and municipal departments introduce us to various partners

throughout SA. We also improve the infrastructure of ECD centres to create environments conducive to learning, and building the Bossiesgif centre is part of this drive,” said Brown.

Amanda Lufele, 22, is a local resident with a oneyear-old girl. “My child attends the BFC crèche. We were called and informed about the building of the Bossiesgif crèche and I’m very happy because it’s not far away from where I stay.

“We hope some people who are not working, like me, might get work there.

There is great care taken at that crèche - children are taught trust and respect. I teach my daughter at home, and they reinforce these values there,” said Lufele.

Elisabeth Wenz expressed appreciation for the involvement of Bitou deputy mayor Jessica Kamkam and the ward councillor, who helped them to secure the land for the crèche.

Visit the BFC Facebook page for more information.

SOCIAL SCENE Photo: Hylton Herd

14 February 2018

Photo: www.ellephoto.co.za

People, places & events

TUG OF WAR AND GEORGE CONCERT ON! The fourth Knysna Celtic Festival sponsored by Sotheby’s International Realty Knysna will include two new events: a Celtic concert in George on February 22, and prestigious tug of war trials in Knysna on the 24th. The Knysna & Districts Pipe Band will join the Carpe Musicam! Orchestra and Choir in the Eden Community Hall in George for a concert of popular Celtic music - including tunes like ‘Highland Cathedral’ and ‘The Gael’. “We’re very excited to extend the Knysna Celtic Festival to the people of George - one of the ‘districts’ of the Knysna & Districts Pipe Band,” said organising committee member and pipe major Steve Collins. Limited tickets are available for the Friday evening Ceilidh in The Bell Celtic Pub at Loerie Park. Top Scottish harpist and composer Catriona McKay, and award-winning Shetland fiddler Chris Stout will perform at the Ceilidh, which will also include a Battle of the Ceilidh Bands, and traditional ‘Address to the Haggis’.

The annual Massed Pipes and Drums parade in Knysna’s Main Street from 9:30am on February 24 will include SA’s only street march competition, with pipe bands and highland dancers from Joburg, PE, Cape Town, and KZN. The focus then moves to Loerie Park, where the Highland Gathering will feature both school-level and senior-level tug of war competitions. The Gathering will also include piping, dancing and drumming competitions, and Highland games like tossing the caber, barrow races, and archery. Saturday’s highlight is sure to be the Sundowners Celtic Concert at Loerie Park from 6:30pm, featuring Catriona McKay and Chris Stout, the Knysna & Districts Pipe Band, Jenny & The Jameses, Blacksmith, and the Carpe Musicam! Orchestra, as well as Scottish Highland dancers from Pretoria and Irish dancers from the Cape. Food and drink will provided by the stallholders and The Bell Celtic Pub. “As usual, the major portion of proceeds will go to Knysna’s Sea Cadets, which have been instrumental in preparing many youngsters for careers at sea,” said Steve. Tickets are on sale at Sotheby’s offices in George, Knysna, Sedgefield, and Plett. See the advert on p12 and visit Knysna Celtic Festival on Facebook for further details.

THE POSTER SAYS IT ALL: From left, Mobys manager Sylvia Ncapha, shift supervisor Aldo Botha, and kiosk attendant Portia Appolis promote the Central Beachbased restaurant’s clever campaign to keep their pretty side of Plett a little more pristine. So if you’re in the mood for a good cuppa gratis ‘boeretroos’, collect a bucket from the kiosk, fill it with butts and other rubbish collected from the sand and surf, and prepare to enjoy your free coffee. It’s that simple. See the advert on p12 for contact details.

CARING ADVENTURERS: Stormsriver Adventures in collaboration with Tsitsikamma Lodge/Faith Cares handed out some baby essentials and toys for new and expecting mothers at Stormsriver Clinic on February 6. In the picture, sister Elize Lourens, who is in charge of the clinic, is flanked

by Abel Abrahams and Pam Zondani of Stormsriver Adventures. Email Pam at marketing@ stormsriver.com to find out more about the activities on offer by these responsibletourism operators, based in the heart of the beautiful Tsitsikamma.

CXPRESS

La Luna

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CXPRESS

INTERVAL

14 February 2018

Restaurateur’s tough take on Valentine’s Day

ALENTINE’S Day. The worst day of the year to run a restaurant.

Not only would I much rather be at home with my other half enjoying a romantic evening for two, but everything about owning a restaurant on Valentine’s Day sucks.

So just for your information, here is what every restaurateur will be thinking of today about your wonderful, romantic dinner a deux.

Table for two, please All my four-seater tables, my six-seater tables - all of them occupied by only two people.

It’s a complete waste of perfectly good seats and it means I make much less money than on any normal night.

At 8pm Why do you only get romantic around 8pm?

My staff hang around for three hours doing absolutely nothing and then the kitchen gets completely slammed when you all place your orders within 15 minutes of each other.

If you book earlier or later, you will have a much better time, I guarantee it.

Special occasion diners I don’t mind these as much as my staff do. These are the ‘once-a-year’ diners who only come out for a special treat.

They don’t spend money, they fuss about the wine prices and they only ever order steak and chips,

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followed by ice cream and chocolate sauce.

Then - most possibly worst of all - they don’t tip because they’re not used to dining out.

It would honestly be better all-round if they just did what they do for the rest of the year and stayed at home.

Extras We don’t do special meals for Valentine’s Day anymore. Why not?

Well, it costs money to give you a glass of champagne, a chocolate with the bill, a rose for every lady, print special pink menu cards, book a band for the evening, etc. and very few people seem to appreciate that these costs have to be covered somehow.

Plus, my staff hate having to push lots of desserts for two on February 15 to try and get rid of them.

Touchy-feely Please have the courtesy to listen when my waiter is trying to talk to you.

Don’t get so busy holding hands, sticking your tongues down each other’s throats, having long, drunken diatribes about how much you love each other, etc. that they can’t get on and do their job.

You are embarrassing yourselves and all the staff are laughing about you in the kitchen.

Late stayers Yes, it’s great that you are having a lovely time at my restaurant. I am very

A duck is standing next to a busy road, cars zooming past while he waits for a break in traffic.

A chicken walks up to him and says: “Don’t do it, man. You’ll never hear the end of it.”

pleased that you’ve enjoyed yourselves and that you are having a deep and meaningful conversation while gazing into each other’s eyes.

But now you must just go home and make love, okay!

We’re tired now and want to go home and see our partners, too, and keeping everyone here while you order ‘just one more decaff cappuccino and a glass of tap water’ is really not worth it.

Please do cease to hang around like a bad smell!

Order a taxi, go forth and multiply.

Proposals Take my advice, if you’re thinking of proposing to your girlfriend or boyfriend on Valentine’s Day, then don’t.

It will become a millstone around your neck for the rest of your life as you constantly strive to be twice as romantic to make up for the fact that you are cheating her out of an extra anniversary dinner every year.

Trust me, I know.

When you tell him that you’re a strong independant woman and that you want him to be more sensitive...

14 February 2018 CLASSIFIEDS

CXPRESS

9 February 2018 14

CXPRESS

19 February

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CXPRESS

Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za

ON THE SOAPBOX

14 February 2018

Letters to the Editor

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

Make Plett the differently-abled holiday mecca It was with great interest that I read the comments

by Errol Finkelstein in CXPRESS of February 7 [turn to page 4 at www. cxpress.co.za].

Thank you, the article most certainly put matters into perspective.

What is sad, however, is that Plett Tourism’s budget has been reduced instead of being increased for this year, which does not make sense given the anticipated tourism growth and visitors to Plettenberg Bay and surrounding areas.

The info office is located upstairs in Mellville’s Corner and is, realistically totally out of the way - it should be visible on Main Street. Strangers to Plett hardly notice the large ‘i’ which is the only real advertising notice the info and tourism office has.

If you are not aware of the side entrances from much higher up towards the under-roof parking area, all you see is a lot of unfriendly steps and this certainly does nothing to encourage tourists, at all.

When Tourism had the rotunda on Main Street,

although small, it looked friendly, was very easily spotted, and also accessible. I noticed that the excoffee shop premises on street level at Mellville’s Corner is standing empty and in all my 35 years in Plettenberg Bay, I have yet to see a business prosper there. Is this because the rentals are too high?

This would be the perfect spot, as it brings in the bulk of the town’s spending money and to hitch Tourism to the current, out-of-the way location as the premises are owned by Bitou Municipality is, to say the least, more than short-sighted - especially as we have such a good team working tirelessly for us now, the results which have been obvious over the last few years.

Tourism is what we must encourage at all costs, and cutting the budget is certainly short-sighted in the long-term, as tourism means job-creation.

Many years ago, there was a drive to encourage all with a vested interest in the area to make us the most disabled-friendly place on

the Garden Route. When a new B&B or guesthouse applied for permission to operate, the question was always: Do you indeed have proper facilities and access for disabled and impaired visitors if you profess to have it? Business plans were perused to ensure that they had ramps.

One or two staff members of the Tourism office went to do inspections on a rotation basis and in this way they got to be thoroughly acquainted with the accommodation so that when they were asked to do a booking, they knew which places to recommend and could speak from first-hand knowledge - so reassuring.

What is not taken into account is that, for one, disabled person there are usually two able-bodied people assisting them, and they also need accommodation.

When it comes to shopping, it is generally felt that the disabled do not have big spending power, but this is a total misconception. They may not be able to handle large items,

but these days everything can be shipped or sent by courier, so what makes them any different? They will come in busloads, if many people care to make their holiday easier.

How great will it be to be able to travel and shop for a lovely, light, mohair blanket, actually feel it or choose something yourself, and not have it chosen for you?

As the saying goes: “If you build it, the people will come.” They will come in droves if we do something positive about it and try putting ourselves in their position.

One instance that I recall most vividly when trying to ensure that we were doing everything in our power to make the wonderful sights and experiences around here accessible to all, is when I was told about nine kids with cerebral palsy who were able to ride elephants with the help and organisation of one of our parks.

How much better can it get than that?

Rita van Rensburg/ Hardaker, Plett

Let’s hit forward-going mode without wasting our resources I have been following various individual inputs in your newspaper in the past few weeks on the subject of Plett’s future destiny. To many of us these comments are noteworthy, and therefore we read and take note.

However, I am of the opinion that we as tax paying stakeholders have much more than a right, but also a responsibility, to involve ourselves in our town’s future and become more active.

In saying this, my view is that a process should be initiated to gather and exchange fresh ideas and

suggestions which are focused on Plett’s direction, growth, and priorities to take us into a promising future with clear and agreed goals for our community.

What I read in the past few weeks’ contributions on the subject is a clear need for a new and dynamic initiative in which public participation becomes natural in bringing forward concrete plans, suggestions, and initiatives.

Please, not another workshop where needs and wish-lists are written up!

The essence is not to duplicate or replace the planning mechanisms (IDP

Sophy was here!

“Pictured here is a Sophy Gray watercolour of Plettenberg Bay and Robberg, from the Gray archives at Wits University’s library. I was reminded of it when reading the letter in CXPRESS of February 7 entitled ‘Where on Earth was that?!’ [turn to page 11 of that edition at www.cxpress.co.za]. Even way back when (circa 1860s), Sophy Gray admired and recorded the view of Robberg. I suggest they add to that proposed sign: “Sophy was here!” - ‘Kilroy’, Knysna (The wife of Bishop Robert Gray, Sophy played a key role in the drawing up of plans for Plettenberg Bay’s St Peter’s Anglican church in 1850. - Eds.)

and other) of our Bitou council and its structures, but to think and plan in fresh terms without backlogs and opposing agendas by opposing individuals.

Needless to say, the final success will lie in implementation, which must preferably be joining private and public efforts and resources when Bitou will be the pivot.

It is time for Plett to know what it wants to be, how to become and stay the flourishing town it can be; to activate viable efforts in a forward-going mode; to find common ground and cooperate irrespective of political differences. Let’s do this without wasting financial and human resources unproductively.

Pieter Luttig, Keurbooms

Carnage at ‘kwaai’ bridge no River Kwai required…

This accident at the Bossiesgif pedestrian bridge over the Plettenberg Bay N2 on Saturday February 3 made me ponder the question: A bridge too low? - The Drone, Plett (We think The Drone may have seen too many war movies!

For those of you not in the know, ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’ is a 1957 English adaptation of Pierre Bouelle’s French novel about POWs in Burma forced to build a bridge to aid the war effort of their Japanese captors. Released in 1977, ‘A Bridge too Far’ was directed by Richard Attenborough and starred Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Dirk Bogart, Gene Hackman, and a very young and handsome Robert Redford. This drama is set in late 1944, when the Allies thought they had the upper hand in the European land war.

But it’s soon revealed that they may be overconfident.

Plus ça change? - Eds.)

ON THE SOAPBOX

14 February 2018

Letters to the Editor

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

Setting the ‘agent commission vs service is offered. Nothing could excellence’ record straight be further from the truth.

I refer to the letter in CXPRESS of January 31 [turn to page 11 of that edition at www.cxpress. co.za]. Much ado has been made about the alleged lack of qualification of estate agents (“attorney agents”) who are employed by attorneys when acting as estate agents.

The argument goes further that, as attorney agents are ‘unqualified’, they are a danger to the public and, therefore, the public should avoid both the attorney agent and the attorney who employs them.

In the interest of fairness and public awareness, we believe it is important to set the record straight.

The concept of attorneys acting as estate agents is nothing new; from time immemorial, attorneys have been doing so - and long before the Estate Agency Affairs Act came into effect in 1976.

In fact, it would be safe

to say that attorneys were among the first, if not the first, estate agents in South Africa.

Thus, to claim that attorneys are inexperienced to “…provide objective advice and to produce a consistently high level of performance” is simply untrue.

The fundamental difference between attorneys acting as estate agents and conventional estate agents is that the attorney, and not the estate agent, takes full responsibility for the transaction, including the co-signing of the mandate, the sale agreement, and the conveyancing that follows. It is truly a one-stop service.

It is disingenuous and a distortion of the facts to focus on the attorney agent and to claim that because the he/she does not have the same qualification as a conventional estate agent, attorneys acting as estate agents

Education on rubbish and its impact is key in curbing this ongoing problem In response to Peter Stratten’s letter ‘Talking nothing but rubbish’ [read it on page 10 of the January 31 edition at www.cxpress. co.za], us members of the Keep Plett Clean Campaign would like to add further to these observations regarding illegal dumping and general health hazards within the Bitou area.

The Keep Plett Clean Campaign has been working tirelessly for the past five years. Not only do a growing group of volunteers meet every Tuesday evening to tackle littered areas in public places, but we also employ two full time cleaners, thanks to generous sponsorship from Beacon Island KwikSpar and contributions from the Plett public.

These cleaners concentrate on the finer details, which are otherwise overlooked. These include weeding of verges in the entire CBD and beyond, cleaning of inaccessible areas and a focussed and consistent approach to keeping known litter areas free of mess.

One only needs to travel to other towns in South Africa and it becomes clear, that without doubt this campaign has resulted in Plett being one of the neatest and most wellkept towns in the country.

But, as Mr Stratten points out, the issue of illegal dumping and the environmental and social

impact it creates, remain a serious concern. Tackling this isn’t easy, but we believe that some of the following points could curb the issue: • There has been a marked increase in illegal dumping since the closure of the old municipal dump site. The protocol and process for taking refuse to the new transfer station needs to be effectively communicated to the public.

• The informal drop off points for weekly refuse from the farm roads, often results in these points organically turning into illegal dump sites. Some sort of working solution to contain these points needs to be considered.

• The management of environmentally-sensitive areas such as the Bitou and Piesang rivers need to be addressed. Campaigners clean these spots regularly, but the environmental damage is ongoing.

Above all, a well-designed and effective educational campaign, rolled out in our schools, focussing on the social and environmental problems of litter is urgently required.

While this isn’t an overnight solution, awareness goes a long way to solving the problem.

An entire generation of South African’s have never forgotten the slogan: ‘Zappit in a Zibi-bin!’

Keep Plett Clean Campaign, by email

should be avoided.

Attorney agents act as support to the attorneys, akin to the support staff employed by ‘traditional’ estate agencies.

When it comes to qualifications, there is, with respect, no comparison between the arduous and long training of an admitted attorney/conveyancer and that of an estate agent.

Most attorneys have studied four to five years at a university for a law degree. Thereafter they undergo rigorous training as a candidate attorney with a law firm for a further two years.

Then, a further exam (Attorneys Admission Examination) must be successfully completed before admission as an attorney.

In addition, should an attorney wish to qualify as a conveyancer (a property transfer specialist) and/ or a notary public, further training and two very tough examinations must be successfully completed before this attorney will be admitted as conveyancer and/or notary public.

To claim that attorneys and the attorney agents are unqualified to act as estate agents is, to say the least, false and misleading.

A further indictment levelled at the 3%.Com Properties Group is that, because the commission is only 3%, an inferior service

The reality is that the commissions charged by estate agents in SA (usually between 5% and 8%), are of the highest in the world.

The going rate, worldwide, is between 1% and 3%. In the USA it is between 5% and 6%, but it should be remembered that this commission is split between the buying agent and the selling agent. So commission per agent is 2-3%.

Many factors have contributed to this downward trend. These are the internet (it is considerably cheaper to advertise here than in hard-copy publications); the escalation of property prices; and, finally, very stiff competition.

An added benefit for attorneys is that their legal practices are used as the business hub for their estate agencies and are cofunded by other sources of income. The cost saving is passed on to the public without compromising service.

It is a fundamental misrepresentation to claim that, because the sales commission is only 3%, the service is inferior. By spreading this misinformation, the public could be deprived of a cost-effective, professional and superior estate agency service.

Maartens Heynike - CEO 3%.Com Properties and Dale Hobbs - DLC Inc. attorney, Plett

Marring the marsh

Tina van Reenen of Plett shared these pics and wrote: “Fishermen’s mess and other rubbish mars the environment around Up Marsh and along the lagoon.

Three of us carried five full black bags of rubbish back to the car. Let’s hope they place a bin there - but rubbish still needs to be brought back.”

CXPRESS

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Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

12

CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

14 February 2018

Doc’s at it again, now scaling world’s highest live volcano XPRESS spoke to Plett’s Dr Pete Berning on Monday morning during his approach to passport control at Joburg’s OR Tambo International Airport with a team of five great-hearted adventurers - including his actor son Clyde, who will accompany him on yet another outrageous excursion for a very good cause.

Regular readers will remember reports over the past decade-plus of Pete’s racing with friends from varsity and his rugby-playing days to the North Pole

C

HAPPY TREKKING, DADDY: Clyde Berning pictured at Cape Town International, saying good-bye to kids Hugo and Anneke before embarking on the 12-day expedition

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in April 2005, and then climbing the highest peak in Antarctica, Mount Vinson, in January 2015.

In-between there was a successful trek to the South Pole in 2012 with, among others, lifelong buddy Iain Buchan - a visionary entrepreneur, philanthropist and personal mastery guru who serves as chairman of The Unlimited Child.

Established in 2008, this leading early childhood education and skills development NPO’s national footprint currently supports over 1,200 preschools.

Its key focus is ensuring that children under the age of six have access to quality and sustainable Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes, enabling them to reach their full educational and personal potential. But funds are always needed to attain the goal of reaching 5,000 preschools by 2021 (www. theunlimitedchild.org).

So for this cause, the team of six South African adventurers this week embarked on a journey to reach the summit of the world’s highest active volcano, Ojos del Salado, on the Argentina-Chile border. Their ambitious climb will raise awareness for early childhood education and the work done by The Unlimited Child.

They are determined to succeed so that our children have a bright and prosperous future. So why do the numbers count? Of the 3.1-million children in SA aged 0-6 years, 37% are not accessing ECD services to support them in their critical foundational years.

Not scared of taking on a challenge for the greater good of people and planet,

HERE WE GO... AGAIN! Pete Berning, left, and Iain Buchan, pictured during their ascent of Mount Vinson in 2015, have been ‘playing’ side by side since running out for their university’s rugby team four decades ago; they are now on day three of an ambitious and treacherous quest to climb Ojos del Salado in Chile, and in the process raising awareness of the importance of early childhood education

Pete tackled the 19-day Eden to Addo mega-hike from Diep Walle in the Knysna forest to Sundays River in Addo National Park from September 2 to 21 in 2016.

Apart from raising awareness of the desperate need to preserve biodiversity by creating corridors to link conservation areas, this hike raised funds for youngsters at Sterreweg Centre in New Horizons.

“They are all beneficiaries of the Sabrina Love Foundation, which needs ongoing funding to sustain its vital role in the lives of these youngsters and their families. I will cover some 400km and am looking for donations - no matter how small - to contribute to this outstanding charity,” said Pete at the time.

On Monday morning, the good doc reported feeling fit and strong and bolstered by the presence of Clyde, who flew in from the Cape in time to join the rest of the team. All members have their particular forte, Pete’s being not only the expedition’s medical man, but also the entertainer.

It will be the third such adventure for him and Iain Buchan, who forms part of another parent-child team since his daughter Wallis Watt - the youngest person and only female in the Ojos del Salado expedition team - is also on board.

Wallis’s husband Ken Watt, who was part of the Mount Vinson Expedition, is the fifth member while leading South African adventurer Sean Wisedale makes up the sixth and final team member.

With the incredible claim to fame of being the first African to conquer the Seven Summits - the highest mountain on each continent, including Mount Everest - it’s most apt for this motivational speaker, surfer, and yachtsman to be leading the expedition.

Wisedale will also ensure that everyone stays healthy in body and mind.

Follow the journey @MakeTheNumbersCount and add your voice to changing South Africa’s future through ECD. Visit www. makethenumberscount. co.za for additional information or to donate.