14 June 2017 by CXpress

14 June 2017

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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Out of ashes, hope must arise These were the words of DA leader Mmusi Maimane when he visited fire-ravaged Knysna on Monday. Maimane delivered hope in the form of a caring ear, food parcels, and the assurance that his party would do what it could to alleviate the suffering of the people of Knysna at large. He called on all South Africans to stand together as a nation and said it was important to ensure Knysna did not suffer the long-term economic effects a tragedy of this magnitude left in its wake. He acknowledged the efforts of all fire-fighters whom on June 7 and 8 formed part of the largest fire unit in the country, and thanked them for their selfless service. “Our people are strong and they will keep soldiering on,” he concluded. Read more fire news on page 3 & 4 and see the photos on page 8-11.

Photo: Elana Palmer

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NEWS & VIEWS

14 June 2017

Henk’s Little Travelogue: Australia/Tasmania/New Zealand - Part IX

Unique tribal names inform our hinterland itinerary Itinerant contributor HENK BOLHUIS continues his account of the wonders of Down Under - turn to page 2 of the previous eight editions at www.cxpress.co.za to catch up on the series so far HE story of our outing to the Glass House Mountains, roughly 75km north of Brisbane in the Queensland Sunshine Coast ‘hinterland’, continues: today is April 3. Just before we reach the town of Beerburrum we turn left onto Woodford Road, with Mt Tunbubudla - nicknamed ‘The Twins’ at respectively 293m and 321m high - on our left and Mt Beerburrum (278m), aka ‘Green Parrot Mountain’, on our right; in the language of the Kabi tribe, ‘bir’ signifies ‘green parrot’ and ‘burru’ means ‘mountain’. After a short distance we turn right onto the Old Gympie road before, shortly thereafter, taking another left turn that puts us on the scenic Glass House Mountain road, ending at the spectacular lookout point. This vantage point affords an incredible 360-degree view of the landscape of beautiful volcanic, mountain peaks. Starting by looking due north, from left to right, one sees first Mt Beerwah, the highest of these peaks at 556m. Slightly to its right we see Mt Coonowrin (377m); this peak is also known as ‘Crookneck’ or ‘Fakebig’. Next comes Mt Coochin (235m) a bit further towards the north and Mt Ngungun (253m) due north-east. Finally right before us, towards the east, we see the peak of Mt Cooee (191m) - the lowest of these hills - and to its right lies Mt Tibrogargan (364m) and Mt Tibberoowuccum (220m), The gorgeous Glass House Mountains National Park was proclaimed a National Heritage Site in 2006 and, apart from its magnificent peaks, flora and di-

NO FAKING IT: Mt Coonowrin in the Glass House mountain range is also known as ‘Crookneck’ or ‘Fakebig’

verse fauna, it has vast tracts of commercial forestry, farm lands and pineapple plantations. This area is of great cultural and spiritual significance to the original Aboriginal tribes of the Jinibara and the Gubbi Gubbi people, who named these mountains so creatively. Legend has it that these peaks are members of a family comprising a father, Mt Tibrogargan, and a mother, Mt Beerwah, and all the other peaks being their sons and daughters, the eldest being Mt Coonowrin. After a short walk and many photographs, we get back to our car and retrace our original route back as far as Steve Irwin Way, where we turn left to travel north, through Beerwah towards Landsborough. Just before reaching the town we pass, on our right, Australian Zoo; the 100-acre property is presently co-managed by director Wes Mannion and owner Terri Irwin, Steve Irwin’s widow. The small town of Landsborough lies about 82km north of Brisbane along the North Coast Railway Line, in the southern end of the Blackall Mountain Range.

It was named after British born explorer William Landsborough, who was the first European to cross the whole of the continent of Australia from north to south during the mid-1850s. The first European settlers arrived here in 1871 and initially called the place Mellum Creek, after the aboriginal word for volcano, and it served as an important port of call - a stopping place for fresh horses and refreshments for the Cobb and Company coaches that were north and south bound. It was renamed Landsborough only after his death in 1886. Driving through this picturesque town we spot numerous beautifully-preserved Victorian homes and buildings, reminding us of the past. At Maleny Street, to our left, we leave Steve Irwin Way and follow Route 23 westward, via Bald Knob to the town of Maleny, beautifully situated on the southern end of the Obi Obi Creek, below Lake Baroon. This small town in the Blackall Mountain Range lies at roughly 450m above sea level. Most of the area was once covered by

vast areas of sub-tropical rain forests of which pockets still remain, but heavy logging of huge hardwood trees during the late 19th and early 20th Century has now transformed it into lush green rolling hills. The town and its immediate surroundings constitute a small piece of paradise on earth, a place to escape to and forget all your worries. Driving along another beautiful road cutting through green pastures, one spots numerous little creeks and the abundance of water becomes obvious. It therefore comes as no surprise when later I discover that Maleny is one of Queensland’s wettest towns with an average annual precipitation of 2,000mm, and that in some recent years even monthly rainfalls of 1,000mm have been recorded. The original aboriginal people of the area around Maleny were the Nalbo and Dallambara peoples, part of the Gubbi Gubbi tribe. Prussian explorer and naturalist Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Leichard was the first person to describe the area of Maleny during his exploration of the hinterland in his diary in 1844. Maleny was, however, only officially proclaimed a town in 1891, nearly 50 years later. Leichard never saw the place again, though, because during another expedition in 1848 attempting to reach the Swan River in the southwest of Australia, near what is now known as the town of Perth, he apparently perished after last being seen on April 3 of that year. To be continued…

NEWS & VIEWS

14 June 2017

CXPRESS

Week of fire chaos leaves deep marks on CX Country Knysna and Plett were plummeted into chaos over the past week when about 30 fires raged through the region, leading to the destruction of hundreds of homes, the evacuation of thousands of locals, road closures, the sporadic loss of telecommunications and electricity, and the death of several residents - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports

Y today - a week since the infernos started ripping through the coastal holiday towns - fires have claimed the lives of seven locals, saw the destruction of about 700 homes and other structures, burnt through 10,000 to 15,000ha and saw about 5,000 evacuations. Efforts to deal with the fires have been dubbed by disaster management experts as the “the biggest disaster rescue operation in South African history”. The first of the fires which swept through Plett and Knysna started in Kruisfontein just outside Knysna early last Wednesday morning. Several others were also reported around Sedgefield and Karatara. Head of Eden disaster management Gerhard Otto said by the end of the day, firefighters had been tending to 26 fires in Eden District. This led to the closure of the N2 towards Plett and later the closure of the road to Brenton-on-Sea, as well as the road at Phantom Pass in Rheenendal. The fires rapidly spread throughout Knysna, including Brenton, Belvedere, Welbedacht, Knysna Heights, Eastford, Narnia and Green Pastures, leading to the evacuation of more than 3,000

residents including patients from Knysna Provincial Hospital. George municipal spokesman Chantal EdwardsKlose said 15 GoGeorge buses were deployed that night to assist evacuations. The fires also claimed several lives, including Madre Johnston, 28 - who was eight months pregnant her husband Tony, 33, and three-year-old son Michael. Their bodies were found by police just before midday on Wednesday about 50m from their home after it was engulfed by flames. It was the Kruisfontein fire that spread rapidly towards Plettenberg Bay as gale force winds moved through the Garden Route during the course of the day. The fire reached Kranshoek Viewpoint during the morning, moved along the coast and back inland towards Cairnbrogie by midday. From there the fire spread and also threatened the Whale Rock and Longships areas as well as properties along Plett’s Airport Road. By Thursday June 8, about 1,000 locals had been evacuated from these areas and five buses from George assisted. The Plett fires claimed the life of volunteer firefighter Bradley Richards.

With all local resources having been activated and assistance from neighbouring areas as well as nationally, by Thursday night authorities in both towns confirmed that while firefighters were still working around the clock, most of the fires had been contained. The Eden disaster management team also confirmed that there were no longer any runaway fires. But weather conditions again took a turn for the worse when winds - gusting at more than 90km/h - swept through the area on Saturday morning. The windy conditions persisted for most of the day, causing flare-ups and new fires. The N2 between Buffels Bay and Sedgefield had to be closed early on Saturday morning as a fire swept through the area. Residents in the Buffalo Bay, Buffelskop and Brenton area were evacuated as a precautionary measure. On Friday night about 150 Fairview residents were evacuated to the Sedgefield Hall while firefighters tended to a fire in the vicinity. Kirsten said Knysna townships Flenters, Rhobololo, Greenfields and Joodsekamp were also evacuated as runaway fires threatened

Rumours of arson largely false - Richardson NITIAL rumours about arson - specifically via a forwarding voice-note from an as yet unknown source to the effect that four men had been caught in Plett lighting fires and had been arrested - were quickly quashed by volunteers running emergency groups and on social media. By Sunday night, a backlash against the spread of further rumours of arson ignited its own fire on Plett’s social media.

However, PBCPA chairman Bruce Richardson said there was only one credible report of a possible arson incident to date, and attributed the spread of these rumours to the fact that Plett is currently “a highly sensitised community” looking for reasons to explain the numerous and on-going fires. “Much of what we have experienced is the amazing ability of wind-driven fires to travel vast distances

in a very short time, and to change direction with every change of wind direction. This means these fires travel over hills and down gullies and reappear as what looks like new fires. “I believe the fires were started by man’s negligence as opposed to natural causes, which are very rare in the absence of lightning.” Call the PBCPA on 082 251 8134 to report cases of suspected arson. Nikki Ridley

the communities. Otto said by 1:30pm on Saturday, fire lines had flared up again and were all burning out of control. In Plett, weather conditions also led to major flareups and new fires mostly around the airfield, resulting in Airport Road being closed for most of the day. Residents in the area were also ordered to evacuate. Further flare-ups occurred in the Brackenridge area which saw residents in sur-

rounding streets ordered to evacuate at 6pm. The wind however dissipated and the instruction downgraded to a standby order. A new fire started at Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary towards The Crags east of Plett at about 1pm. This was however brought under control about an hour later. Bitou municipal spokesman Howard Swartz said another fire had been burning out of control around Jakkalskraal, also close to

Plett Airport. The wind however died down, giving aerial resources a window period to start water-bombing hotspot areas, giving firefighters an opportunity to gain ground. By Monday all fires in Knysna were largely under control. In Plett it was a similar situation with fires active in Uplands and Kransbos only. There were also minor flare-ups between Beachy Head and Kranshoek. Garden Route Media

CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

14 June 2017

Saying good-bye to Bradley Bradley Richards, who succumbed to injuries sustained while fighting fires in the Harkerville area last week, will be laid to rest at Plett Community Church on Thursday June 15 at 11am.

‘Business unusual’ in Knysna for now Words & photo: Candice Ludick

HE past few days have shown me what this town can do. These were the words of Knysna mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies on June 12. “In the midst of this crisis an opportunity arises to rebuild better than before,” she said, adding that the more privileged and less privileged were equally important. Western Cape minister of Economic Opportunities Alan Winde acknowledged it was critical the rebuilding process commenced as swiftly and efficiently as possible to make it easy to do business. Winde started the process by engaging with business leaders on Monday

REHABILITATION CREW: From left, Alan Winde, Mmusi Maimane, Eleanore Bouw-Spies, Anton Bredell, and Knysna ward councillor Cheryl Weideman inspect Brenton on Sea

evening and asking them to organise themselves so that the planning process could be set in place. High on his agenda is the quest to rebuild “greener”. Following the principles of global rebuilds in towns that have experienced similar catastrophes, Winde said credibility and transparency in the monitoring of donated funds would be essential. The overall

funding from government towards infrastructural needs should consider the needs of the town going forward 20 to 30 years. A special Western Cape Cabinet focused on the disaster and way forward meets in Knysna today, June 14, to establish roles in the town’s rebuilding and regeneration. A public participation process will follow as soon as it is

deemed appropriate. Factors like the social, environmental and economic needs of residents will be considered. “The vision needs to be publically and wholly owned. Every single citizen needs to own it,” said Winde. In the meantime, the Knysna Oyster Festival is set to go ahead in July. Rather than business as usual, Winde terms it “business unusual” - business with compassion. He sees the Oyster Fest as a tool to communicate that this town will recover. Like certain species of Cape fynbos boast unique features that only occur after a burn, so too Knysna’s unique and wonderful natural charm will once again be revealed.

Incredible community and volunteer response praised

SELFLESS SERVICE: Manning the Joint Operations Control Centre opposite Plett Fire Station are, at left, Riana Venter (PBCPA volunteer JOC and Smhart Alarms employee - not pictured but equally deserving of mention is Plett Watch secretary and PBCPA volunteer JOC Lisa Nagel); from left with Venter are Bongiwe Flipisi of Bitou Municipality, and SAPS members Doleen Myburgh and W/O Tertia Micklejohn - at right, Warren Roman, left, and his Medlife ambulance service took over the old Edgards changing rooms for milder trauma cases such as those suffering smoke inhalation and minor burns that did not need to or could not get to Mediclinic Plettenberg Bay or hospitals further afield - Nikki Ridley

HE bulk of emergency response to Plett fires consisted of voluntary firefighting by members of the PBCPA, the NRSI and adhoc helpers working handin-hand with Bitou Fire Services during the week-long ordeal, many going for days with little or no sleep. After the tragic loss of firefighter Bradley Richards and injuries sustained by Ian Barnard after they were overtaken by flames, there have been no further reports of serious injury in Plett. This is called “nothing short of a miracle” by evacuations manager John Stewart, who praises the courage and perseverance of the vol-

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unteer firefighters who prevailed in horrific conditions. “The Airport Road fires last Saturday happened so fast and with such ferocity... the fact that we have survived the last few days without further loss of life can be attributed to those ‘boots on the ground’,” he said. Many other locals volunteered their time, assisting with evacuations and manning the Evacuation Centre, initially set up at Piesang Valley Community Hall. Stewart explained that operations there were coordinated using the Plett Watch WhatsApp Group infrastructure, and that within an hour of calls for assistance,

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evacuees from Kranshoek, the Airport Road, Whale Rock Ridge and Gardens, and the Solar Beach area started pouring in - as did donations of food, mattresses and blankets. Concern that the fire might spread to the hall resulted in evacuees hastily relocated to Plett Primary School, while the evacuation central command and donated goods, moved to the old Edgars store at The Market Square. Countless individuals and businesses donated piles of clothing and blankets, as well as food, water, toiletries, medical supplies and toys, and volunteers continued flooding in to assist.

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NEWS & VIEWS

14 June 2017

CXPRESS

George Airport upgrades, but international long haul flights still a pie in the sky CXPRESS was invited to a breakfast rendezvous on June 7, which included an update on recent developments and an in-depth guided tour of the airport - BOB HOPKIN reports

EXPANSION: George Airport manager Brenda Vorster, left, and national senior manager for Corporate Affairs, Senzeni Ndebele, outline the changes expected at the airport - Photo: Bob Hopkin

IRPORTS Company South Africa (ACSA) took the opportunity last week to explain to the media their plans for improvements in George Airport's infrastructure to, in the main, enhance its current handling capacity. Even though passenger movements increased by just 2.7% over last financial year to some 738,000 in total, additional flights connecting to Lanseria and Bloemfontein have created a situation where, at one point in the day, four flights arrive in the same hour, overstretching facilities. According to regional airport manager Brenda Vorster, the arrivals “traffic jam” begins at baggage collection and continues through to frayed tempers

in queues at the car rental offices. “We are putting out to tender a number of planned structural changes to the airport buildings so that, starting in 2018, our ability to accommodate a greater number of both arriving and departing passengers will be much improved,” she said. Numerous detail changes in the use of the main airport building will assist in this as well as the relocation of the freight services area and the addition of a petrol filling station to serve the local community to the west and south of George. The existing 2,000 solar panel “farm” powering the airport and currently producing some 750Kw in full

sunshine will have another 250Kw added to its capacity, but no battery storage facilities are yet in place because state of the art power storage is lagging behind power generation in both cost and lifespan. There is still the intention to add a hotel on site, although no firm time frame has been agreed. ACSA senior manager for Corporate Affairs Senzeni Ndebele said that she would favour obtaining international flight status for the airport including customs and immigration controls in order to allow, in particular, overseas charter flights for holidaymakers looking to enjoy the scenery and activities of the Garden Route. Although the idea delighted tourism industry staff present at the meeting, it was pointed out that, even though capacity exists for larger aircraft such as the Boeing 777 to land, runway length and strength would not permit fully-fuelled aircraft of this size to take off safely. Airside Operations manager Deon Groenewald pointed out that to accommodate long-haul planes of this size, the single runway would need to be extended some way to the west and the whole of the runway strengthened at a huge and, probably unsustainable, cost.

New leadership for Honorary Rangers About 100 SANParks Honorary Rangers (SHR) from Garden Route National Park - comprising Knysna, Wilderness and Tsitsikamma - attended their recent annual Indaba in Skukuza in Kruger National Park to witness the election of their new leaders. The two new executives to head the official 1,600-strong volunteer organisation of SANParks are Phillip Strauss, at right, as SHR chairperson, with Grant Coleman as his deputy. The SHR consists of ordinary South Africans from all walks of life, working together to support our natural heritage without receiving any compensation or reward, but in the knowledge that they are helping to ensure the future of SA’s national parks. Visit www.sanparksvolunteers.org for more information or contact Chris van Gass on 082 774 5008.

CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

14 June 2017

Boost received for training of Early Childhood Development educators A PEXHI Charitable Trust has recently donated R200,000 to bolster the Bitou 10 Foundation’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) Capacity Building Programme. This new initiative aims to empower principals and school managers in Bitou improve the quality of education at their ECD sites. Providing quality instruction of pre-schoolers depends highly on the skills and experience of ECD principals and practitioners, the state of facilities, and the variety and quality of educational resources available to local learners. The Foundation has contracted local, best-practice ECD champions to facilitate weekly workshops for the participating principals. These facilitators have practical experience on the fundamentals of starting ECD sites, as well as how to effectively and successfully manage these sites. The first four workshops focussed on the vital topic of Curriculum Planning, and the programme will continue with a focus on Fundraising, Financial Management, Human Resources, Office Administration, Policy and Procedure, and Computer Training. To date, the programme has reached about 15 of the ECD sites in Plettenberg

SHARING SKILLS: Margi Friedman facilitates a workshop on Curriculum Planning

FAST FACTS ON COLLECTING FUNDS: Inge Basset leads a workshop on Fundraising

Bay. Principals have commented that they would recommend the workshops to others as it has improved their knowledge and skills. Says B10F spokesperson Veronique Fortune: “Homebased ECD sites that do not follow a cur-

riculum or are uncertain of policy and procedure can benefit greatly from these workshops. “We are sincerely grateful to ApexHi Charitable Trust for its support towards this much needed programme in Plett.”

NEWS & VIEWS

14 June 2017

CXPRESS

Building a strong community spirit is part of new Bitou deputy’s vision PLEASED TO SERVE: Bitou deputy mayor Jessica Kamkam in her office at Kurland Village in The Crags, one of the rustic streets of which is pictured below

Words & photos: Timothy Twidle

ESSICA Kamkam took office as deputy mayor of Bitou on May 23 during a council meeting that confirmed the local working coalition of the Active United Front (AUF) with the Democratic Alliance (DA), following the termination of the previous AUF/ ANC arrangement. Kamkam is the councillor for Bitou’s Ward 1, which covers an area of 557km2 with a population of 6,300 people. It extends from Nature’s Valley to Keurboomstrand and includes The Crags, about 20km north-east of the town of Plett, where she was born and brought up. After working for a number of organisations involved with development and outreach programmes in and around Plett, Kamkam began working in the office of Bitou’s municipal speaker in September 2013. From this time onwards, she became more politically aware and resolved to help the people

of Bitou. On the advice and encouragement of Annelise Olivier, Bitou speaker from 2011 to 2016 (and recently reappointed to this post), Kamkam stood as a DA candidate in the municipal elections of 2016 and won with a very healthy majority. “I had to convince my-

self to become involved in politics,” says Kamkam. “Ultimately, it was a combination of my roots in the local community, having empathy with the people around me, and to provide leadership - we need good leaders who have principles and who listen.” She enthuses: “I want to

facilitate building strong community spirit, drive projects that develop life skills, form partnerships with NGOs, and stimulate the local economy by way of the tourist potential of the area.” Kamkam sees it as a great honour to have been asked to serve as deputy mayor of Bitou, and adds: “If you are asked to serve, you simply have to!” Working out of a small office in Kurland Village community hall in The Crags, she travels to Bitou’s municipal offices when required. Jessica Kamkam is a down to earth person with a jovial and warm personality, and she is eminently approachable; away from the pressures of office she finds solace with her family of husband Jonathan and three children: Justine, Jerushah and Jotham. She enjoys spending quality time hiking, running, and appreciating the arts and handcrafts. Bitou Municipality has a deputy mayor who is determined to serve and to succeed.

Environmental minister to explain why protected Tsitsikamma area was opened for fishing N a statement earlier this month, AfriForum announced that an application in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (PAIA) was brought against the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning regarding the decision of minister Edna Molewa to make 20% of the Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area (TMPA) accessible for fishery. This follows after the civil rights organisation directed a letter to Mole-

wa in February regarding its concern about this decision. AfriForum wants access to the following information: • The potential number of recreational fishers that will fish in this area; • A complete explanation of the decision to make the area accessible for recreational fishing, including scientific evidence of the impact it will have on the area; • The reason why various petitions opposing the opening of the TMPA were ignored;

• The involvement of the Environmental Department in the decisionmaking process and if the possible impact on fishing communities residing in the area was taken into account; and • Considering the precedent created by this decision, how the Department will handle similar requests of communities bordering on the protected area. “The Minister mentioned in her 2017 budget speech that the Department intended on imple-

menting a national guideline for the establishment of coastal management lines and the protection of coastal areas. “It is therefore unclear how she took her decision in December 2016 to make the TMPA accessible for recreational fishery without any suchlike guidelines,” says AfriForum’s Environmental Affairs coordinator Chris Boshoff. SMS your name to 45354 to support AfriForum’s petition (SMSs charged at R1 each).

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CXPRESS

14 June 2017

FIRE GALLERY

THE GREAT FIRE OF 2017 The images on these pages were kindly shared by friends and readers and many of the thousands of Garden Route locals affected by the past weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fires, and although no credit is recorded here to photographers or to the WhatsApp and Facebook forums in question, we thank you sincerely for contributing to this fire photo spread!

FIRE GALLERY

14 June 2017

CXPRESS

14 June 2017

FIRE GALLERY

14 June 2017

CXPRESS

INTERVAL

14 June 2017

Facts from long ago - Final

BARGE IN Heavy freight was moved along the Mississippi in large barges pushed by steamboats. These were hard to control and would sometimes swing into piers or other boats. People would say they ‘barged in’. HOGWASH Steamboats carried both people and animals. Since pigs smelled so bad, they would be washed before being put on board. The mud and other filth that

was washed off were considered useless ‘hog wash’. CURFEW The word ‘curfew’ comes from the French phrase ‘couvre-feu’, that means ‘cover the fire’. It was used to describe the time of blowing out all lamps and candles. It was later adopted into Middle English as ‘curfeu’, which later became the modern ‘curfew’. In the early American colonies, homes had no

real fireplaces so a fire was built in the centre of the room. In order to make sure a fire did not get out of control during the night it was required that, by an agreed upon time, all fires would be covered with a clay pot, called a curfew. BARRELS OF OIL When the first oil wells were drilled they had made no provision for

storing the liquid, so they used water barrels. That is why, to this day, we speak of barrels of oil rather than gallons. HOT OFF THE PRESS As the paper goes through the rotary printing press, friction causes it to heat up. Therefore, if grabbing the paper right off the press, it is hot. The expression means to get immediate information.

He’s left dumbfounded! N American took his foreign girlfriend to her first football game. They had great seats right behind their team’s bench. After the game, he asked her how she liked the experience. “Oh, I really liked it,” she replied. “Especially the tight pants and all the big muscles. But I just couldn’t understand why

they were killing each other over 25 cents.” Dumbfounded, her boyfriend asked: “What do you mean?” “Well, they flipped a coin, one team got it and then for the rest of the game, all they kept screaming was: ‘Get the quarterback! Get the quarterback!’ I’m like… Hello? It’s only 25 cents.”

Power outage dilemma URING a recent power outage my computer, laptop, TV, DVD, iPad, and a new surround-sound system were all shut down. Also, my cellphone battery was dead. To make matters worse it was raining, and so I

couldn’t play golf. So I went to the kitchen to make some coffee… Oops, the coffee maker requires power, so I sat down and talked to my wife for a couple of hours. You know, she seems like a really nice person.

Now THAT’S a long wait... waited for a very long time for my number to be called at the Department of Motor Vehicles to renew my driver’s licence. As I approached the window, the clerk asked how she could help me.

I replied: “I need to get a haircut, can you save my spot?” “Why didn’t you get a haircut before your came here?” she asked. I replied: “I didn’t need one before I got here!”

“Tell a man there are 300-billion stars in the universe and he’ll believe you. Tell him a bench has wet paint on it, and he’ll have to touch it to be sure.” - Unknown

CAUSE WHEN YOU’RE BATMAN It doesn’t matter who’s there...

SOCIAL SCENE

People, places & events

CELEBRATING YOUTH AND NATURE: This happy group pic of Phakamisani Primary learners was taken on Hobie Beach recently, when the youngsters experienced a forest channel walk and outing to Lookout Beach. Says Phumzile Sonjani who shared the photo: “I am running an NPO called South African Youth Expeditions and have been taking kids out on Saturdays for a hike in our great outdoors. This was the second hike with kids from Phakamisani, and everyone had lots of fun while learning about nature.” Email phumzilesonjani@ gmail.com to find out more, and see the Bitou Municipality advert on page 6 for details on Friday’s Youth Day celebrations.

BUCO Plettenberg Bay

14 June 2017

CXPRESS

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

14 June 2017

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

14 June 2017

Letters to the Editor

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

Fire fans compassionate spirit of Plett When fate - along with its travel companions, misery and disaster - arrives on the doorstep it is the time for the spirit of humanity to raise its head. And so it was a few days ago when a disastrous fire struck Plettenberg Bay.

The damage was enormous, inflicted on virtually everyone, indiscriminately causing misery. The spirit of humanity did arise. The stories of assistance given to those who were afflicted, abound:

From restaurants providing through the day, the provision of clothing, blankets by the carload, shelter and accommodation for evacuees, volunteers to help fight the fire, the bravery of the firefighters themselves

(some were severely injured, one youngster lost his life), the long hours of the electrical workers and officials - the list goes on and it is long. And that is also the spirit of Plettenberg Bay. Peter Erasmus, Plett

The integrity of new leadership questioned So. “No blank cheque for DA”? [Turn to page 3 of the May 17 edition at www.cxpress.co.za to read the report in question.] By my lights, the only blank cheque was that handed to AUF’s Peter Lobese by the DA in its dealings with this opportunistic grandstander, After five years of exemplary management by the DA under the previous DA mayor Mr Melody [sic] Booysen, this supposed “king maker” threw his lot in with the

ANC in exchange for the mayorship of Bitou (and all its trappings) - this in spite of the exposure by Mr Booysen of the graft, corruption and nepotism of the previous ANC rulers of the Bitou council. Was Mr Lobese blissfully unaware of these activities? Anyone with any integrity knew that the ANC never served Bitou’s best interests and even upon regaining control, their first actions were to acquire fancy new vehicles at ratepayer’s expense.

Has he not partaken of the feeding frenzy occasioned by the ANC’s return to power? Do you not think that Mr Lobese will renege on this marriage of convenience the minute he is re-bought by the ANC? It would seem from the lack of contradictory evidence, that Mr Lobese will retail his mayoral roll as well as the spoils and standing of this position, none of which he deserves. Anything less than the reinstatement of Mr

Booysen as mayor leaves me in serious doubt about the integrity of all concerned with the travesty of democracy. Shame on the lot of you! Michael Webb, by email (This letter was forwarded to the Bitou mayoral office for a response, but in the absence of commentary on the tirade, we urge you to read the letter below which proves that, most fortunately, not all local residents share this author’s rather negative sentiments. - Ed.)

Follow mayor’s example in doing what’s best for Bitou In CXPRESS of May 31, Yolandé Stander reported most constructive news on the government and leadership issue of our municipality in Bitou [turn to page 4 of that edition at www.cx press.co.za]. When reading the report as a resident of Keurboomstrand in the greater Plett, I automati-

cally felt that we must all take up the courage and objectivity of being hopeful, and thankful, to hear such remarkably positive intentions publicly expressed by our mayor, Mr Peter Lobese. The events that have led up to the formation of a fresh coalition have become history and are not important.

However, what we as ratepayers must take full notice of are the norms and values and principles and fundamentals expressed by our mayor as the leader of his team of councillors, also including the senior executive management. These have now become the substance of running a successful town with

Winds cause havoc in Storms River

exploitable opportunities and growth, such as Plett. As voters, and payers of rates and taxes, we should become more appreciative and also supportive towards such honest intentions declared by our leadership. And when we evaluate and express opinions, we should do so in the same spirit of communal governance, that is 'what is best for Bitou and not for individuals'. Pieter Luttig, Keurboomstrand

All praise to thee, FGV management and staff

CXPRESS advertising agent Watty Watson sent the pic, right, of his better half, managing editor Lezanne Watson, next to a felled tree close to their home in Storms River Village, and wrote that many blue gum and oak trees in excess of 100 years old were lost when gale force winds lashed their village last week. “A blue gum at the Storms River Village police station blocked the access entirely with its impressive diameter of at least two metres!” The pic at left shows one of several nature conservation officers tasked with clearing up the carnage, dwarfed by the root chasm left by a toppled century-old oak tree.

Patricia and I wish to publicly thank the management and staff of Formosa Garden Village who unhesitatingly and with spontaneous enthusiasm accommodated us for two nights during the recent emergency. They were magnificent and well deserving of the praise, which has also been heaped on them in the past. Thank you all! Patricia and David Rowe, Harkerville

CXPRESS

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

CXPRESS

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

14 June 2017

SPORT & ADVENTURE

Support Meruska’s Ireland trip and win big LETT Primary School student Merüska Massyn, 12, distinguishes herself in the sport of karate, and specialises in the Shotokan style as a member of the SA Japan Karate Association (JKA). Merüska competed in the SA JKA National Championship last month, when she was selected to represent South Africa in the 14th Gichin Funakoshi Cup to be held in Limerick, Ireland, from Augustus 18-20, where she will compete in the tournament’s Elite Division. The Gichin Funakoshi Cup is the JKA’s world championships and only takes place every four years, making participation the ultimate goal for any student of this particular discipline. Master Gichin Funakoshi was the father of Shotokan after introducing karate to Japan from Okinawa and changing the approach to limit injuries. It was the first step to what we know today as the sport of karate. JKA is rated the largest karate body in the world and distinguishes itself as ‘keepers of karate’s highest tradition’. With a more traditional approach than can be found in its counter bodies, its five building blocks are character, sincerity, effort, etiquette and self-control. SA JKA is not the largest karate body in the country and especially not in the Southern Cape. Setting Merüska apart from other practitioners is the fact that she trains on her own at home and only attends a one-hour class every six weeks with an instructor in St Francis Bay.

TOP OF HER GAME: Merüska Massyn has been selected to represent SA’s Elite squad at the upcoming ‘Karate Olympics’ - the Gichin Funakoshi Cup, which is held every four years

POPULAR PRIZE: The tile pictured here has been replaced with granite, so adding even more value to the prize of a rugby ball signed by the Bokke being raffled to raise funds

The average karate student seldom or never trains without the guidance of an instructor, so Merüska’s achievement was obtained purely through hard work, discipline, and absolute perseverance. The challenge is now for Merüska’s parents to raise money to give her the opportunity to travel abroad and compete in the prestigious Gichin Funakoshi Cup. Explains dad Gerrit Massyn: “We are in the process of finding sponsorships from businesses and such in the area. But we don't have much time on our hands and so we are grabbing any opportunity we can think of.” The Massyns made the best of the recent Springbok training camp in Plett and received permission from team management to raffle a rugby ball with the players’ au-

tographs. Biltong Boutique at The Market Square sponsored a ball for this purpose and also serves as outlet where the beautifully-mounted prize will be on display, and where tickets can be bought for both the signed ball and for a holiday in Jeffrey’s Bay (tickets for the ball and holiday cost R100 and R200 respectively). “The Jeffrey’s Bay holiday is for six people from September 4 to 8,” enthuses Gerrit, adding that there will also be tickets for sale at the Info Kiosk close to Mugg & Bean at Market Square, while they are also working on getting a fundraising Facebook page up and running. Please call Gerrit Massyn on 072 372 3564 for bank details, should you want to make a direct deposit towards the multi-talented Merüska’s Limerick campaign.

Medal-rich Parow in the past, now next stop’s Orlando

During the last weekend in May, six Plettenberg Bay Martial Arts Academy students took part in the ISKA CAPE Classic competition in Parow in the Cape. Competing in categories including Points, Continuous, Sparring, Traditional Kumite, Traditional/Weapons Kata, Creative Forms and Power Breaking, they kept Plett’s name high and brought home 21 gold and four silver medals, as well as a Grand Champion trophy. Picutred above from left in front are Lojza Pisonic, Galliano Boni and Blake Taylor, with James Taylor, Sempai Gee Bleeker (Sports Kick Boxing Academy), Sensei Elrie Bosman (Goju Ryu Traditional Karate, Plett), Aligi Boni and Aiden Trahms at back. Three of these students will be leaving for the NMA ISKA World Championship in Orlando on June 21. The competition starts on the 30th and they will be competing in their various groups as follows: Galliano Boni - SA Junior Development Team, Aligi Boni - SA Junior Presidential Team, and Aiden Trahms - SA Junior Protea Team. Good luck to you all!

BUCO Plettenberg Bay

Corner N2 & Rietvlei Road, Plettenberg Bay Tel: 044 501 3800 Fax: 044 501 3850