15 November 2017 by CXpress

15 November 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

FREE

Appreciative locals and visitors were on hand - with a multitude of camera equipment in hand - to witness a waddle of penguins released at Lookout Beach last Saturday. Similar to the release in June this year, these guys were nursed back to health by the team at Tenikwa wildlife sanctuary, and this weekend’s goingaway party was again made possible by the combined efforts of Nature’s Valley Trust and Birdlife Plettenberg Bay.

Franklin’s killers in jail - p3

Bitou force now battle-ready - p5

Who will throw the lifeline? - p7

Photo: Ewald Stander

Bon voyage

10 000 FREE COPIES OF CXPRESS DISTRIBUTED ALONG THE GARDEN ROUTE EVERY WEDNESDAY

CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

15 November 2017

A truly South African ‘stamvader’

Legacy of frontier renegade Coenraad de Buys explored on banks of Keurbooms Professor emeritus Michael de Jongh will deliver a keynote address on the subject of Coenraad de Buys and his reclusive Soutpansberg descendants at the Annual General Meeting of the Van Plettenberg Historical Society next week OENRAAD de Buys was born in 1761 on a farm near Montagu, and is generally regarded as the stamvader or progenitor of the Buys people. By all accounts a formidable man, he left an indelible, often disruptive, mark on the historical, political, and socio-cultural landscape of South Africa. Author of Roots and Routes, a book about the “karretjie mense” in the Karoo (UNISA Press), and A Forgotten First People - the Southern Cape Hessequa (published by Plettbased publishing house The Watermark Press), among other works, Michael de Jongh was formerly a Professor of Anthropology at UNISA. His books are available at Old Nick Village on the Plett N2, The Book Nook in Lookout Centre, Village Bookshop in Plett Main Street, Knysna Book Exchange, and Deo Gratia in Sedgefield. Henry Lichtenstein, who met De Buys in the company of Commissioner General De Mist in the first decade of the 1980s, described him thus: “His uncommon height, for he measured nearly seven feet; the strength, yet admirable proportion of his limbs, his excellent carriage, his firm countenance, high forehead, his whole mien, and a certain dignity in his movements made altogether a most pleasing impression. “Such one might conceive to have been the heroes of ancient times; he seemed the living figure of Hercules, the terror of

Jeffreys Bay 22 Jeffreys Street 042 293 1040

his enemies, the hope and support of his friends.” Professor de Jongh’s keynote address on Coenraad de Buys will take place at the Van Plettenberg Historical Society’s AGM at 6pm on Thursday November 23 at Plett Angling Club on the Keurbooms River. After the business has been concluded, dinner will be available by prior reservation. Call Christo Oberholzer on 083 625 4310 before Monday November 20 to book your meal.

STL-32V2220

Anthropologist par excellence Professor emeritus Michael de Jongh is a prominent anthropologist who has published widely and presented scientific papers nationally and internationally in the fields of ethnicity, urbanisation, traditional leadership, land rights, minorities and human mobility. More recently, he has extensively researched the ‘forgotten’ first people of South Africa. Their voices are not being heard and by writing about them and taking up their cause, he opens a window on their history, their current lives, and their rightful place in present-day South Africa. Professor de Jongh’s book ‘Roots and Routes - Karretjie People of the Great Karoo, the marginalisation of a South African First People’ (also available as ‘Karretjiemense van die Groot Karoo - vergete afstammelinge van die vroegste Suid-Afrikaners’) was listed for the Alan Paton prize for non-fiction and was awarded the Hiddingh-Currie Literary Prize for academic excellence and service to society. His most recent book is ‘A Forgotten First People - the Southern Cape Hessequa’ (2016, published by The Watermark Press). Photo courtesy www.loveknysna.com

UP-SCALED: A pen sketch of the dapper Coenraad de Buys

TRY R ANY US TE ET B L IL W WE PRICE ADVERTISED

32” LED TV

PROGENY OF ‘LIVING HERCULES’: Simeon Buys is a living descendant of the larger than life - in all senses of the word - Coenraad de Buys

Plettenberg Bay 1 Robberg Road 044 533 1456

39” LED TV

40” FHD LED TV

43” FHD LED TV

STL-39VN86D

STL-40E3000

STL-43FIA11A

R2 495

R3 795

R4 295

R4 695

43” FHD LED TV

49” FHD LED TV

49” UHD LED TV

55” UHD LED TV

TH-43E315Q

TH-49E315Q

TH-49XD650

TH-55XD650

R5 295

R5 795

R7 995

R9 995

32” LED TV

43” UHD LED TV

50” UHD TV

UA32J4003

UA43MU7000

UA50MU7000

49” UHD Curved LED TV UA49MU7350

R2 995

R6 895

R9 895

R10 895

MASSIVE TV SALE – SAVE THOUSANDS – HURRY STOCKS ARE LIMITED HURRY, While Stocks Last | Terms & Conditions Apply 15X8DR0M-KG021117

NEWS & VIEWS

15 November 2017

CXPRESS

Closure for Crags community after sentencing of Franklin de Waal’s killers A former young Bitou law enforcement member’s murderers will spend several years behind bars - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports RANKLIN de Waal, 20, was brutally murdered on Valentine’s Day last year. He was stabbed to death just a few metres from his home in The Crags. His body was found by a family member in Geel-

hout Street on February 14, 2016. He was stabbed in the chest and his cellphone was missing. One of De Waal’s killers, 19-year-old Dillon Toll, was sentenced to a 15-year prison term in the Knysna

Regional Court on Friday. His accomplice, a 16-yearold youngster who cannot be named as he is a minor, was handed an eight-year sentence, four of which will be spent at a youth facility. Thereafter he will have to

MOURNING OUR FRANKLIN: Family and friends of the slain Crags youngster during his memorial service last year - Photo supplied

News Briefs • The meeting called by the DA in Bitou and addressed by Western Cape MEC for Public Works and Transport Donald Grant saw a fleet of CX-vehicles converge upon Piesang Valley hall on November 13. No official statement had been released by going to press, but CXPRESS will endeavour to feed back on the outcome of Monday night’s agenda points under discussion, including the DA/AUF Coalition in relation to DA policies, and specifically the matter of ratepayers’ funds spent on Bitou mayor Peter Lobese’s vehicle and personal security. • Rapid response to a robbery by Knysna SAPS led to the arrest of a 28-yearold suspect on Wednesday November 8 at about

10:30pm, in connection with an aggravated robbery earlier the same evening. Says Knysna SAPS spokesman sergeant Chris Spies: “Preliminary investigation indicates that the 39-yearold victim, a woman from Germany, was robbed of her bag in Fichat Street. “The victim was on her way to board a taxi from her place of accommodation when the suspect, armed with a knife, approached her from behind. He grabbed the victim, threatened her with the knife, threw her to the ground, and took her bag before he fled the scene.” A search for the suspect ensued and apart from the different role-players involved, CCTV footage assisted with the tracing of the suspect and to positively

link him to the incident. Further investigation led the police to Greenfields near Concordia where the suspect was spotted by a member of the police. He was chased down and arrested at Ethembeni. He faces charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances and appeared in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court on Friday. The victim who sustained injuries to her head and hand was taken to a local hospital. Her bag was recovered later, but her iPhone stolen during the incident remained missing. Eden Cluster Commander major general Oswald Reddy praised the members involved for their prompt response, and commended the cooperation of all stakeholders involved.

appear in court again to determine how the rest of his sentence will be served. The teenager was also convicted on a theft charge relating to De Waal’s cellphone. The two were arrested on March 27 and April 13 last year respectively. They applied for bail in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court, but bail was denied.

The murder sent shockwaves through the community on the outskirts of Plettenberg Bay and has led to several protests by residents, including against police’s initial failure to arrest suspects they had claimed were responsible for the young man’s death. Some of these protests turned violent when residents marched to the house of two men they believed murdered De Waal and

plundered the property. Several members were arrested due to this action. This led to further disgruntlement as residents felt it “unfair” that they had been the ones behind bars and not the killers. Residents have, however, since said that they felt vindicated now that the two men they initially identified, were the ones arrested by police. Garden Route Media

CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

15 November 2017

Bitou backs inaugural pageant of CX Country’s most beautiful set Leela Verity was one of the night’s inspirational speakers, and shared some of the quotes (see below) she used in her address to ensure that the entrants had no misgivings over the importance of inner versus outer beauty. “I was happy to learn that CXPRESS would include coverage of this event, which really served to boost the confidence, hopes, and dreams of the 20 young people who participated,” says Leela.

“Apart from being asked to give a few words of inspiration, I was also privileged to say the opening prayer. The words on beauty that I quoted goes to show that the pageant was definitely not only about outer beauty.” After the official opening, judges were introduced and each of the 20 contestants had the opportunity to showcase what it takes to be a great ambassador for Knysna and Plett. After the eveningwear sec-

tion, final notes were compared and Lisa and Gavin announced as title winners of Mr and Miss Plett/Knysna 2017, with first runners up Corné Stander and Busiswe Madikane, and second runners up Siyah Yumada and Kirsten Smit. Melissa says a huge thank you to MCs Leigh Dunn and Berenice Kogana of Eden FM, mom Monica and her Lily of the Valley team, Zarefa Peters, and Charmaine Kruger of ACE

GORGEOUS AMBASSADORS: Lisa van Reizig and Gavin Gainsford were selected as title holders at the inaugural Mr and Miss Plett/Knysna pageant Photos: Willow Mullins - ShowMe Plett/Knysna

AVIN Gainsford from Plett and Knysna lass Lisa van Reizig recently walked away with the titles of Mr and Miss Plett/ Knysna respectively, after being selected top entrants during a glitzy pageant on November 4 at Plett’s Pie-

sang Valley hall. Event initiator Melissa Medea practises law in Mossel Bay but is a true daughter of Plett, parents Monica and Enoch being intricately involved with local education and the Bitou beauty trade for many a decade.

TAKING TO THE STAGE: The judges and presenters with the winners and runners up - Melissa Medea is pictured third from right, with mom Monica at right

IMPORTANT NOTICE FORM 3A NOTICE OF APPLICATIONS FOR LIQUOR LICENCES IN TERMS OF SECTION 37(1) OF THE WESTERN CAPE LIQUOR ACT, 2008 – [REG. 10(1)] Notice is hereby given that the following applications for liquor licences have been lodged with the Western Cape Liquor Authority (the Authority) and with the designated liquor officers at the indicated South African Police Service offices. The applications concerned may, up to and including the 28th day from the date of publication of the application, upon request and free of charge, be inspected by any person, at the offices of the Authority or the designated liquor officer listed hereunder. Copies of an application can be obtained from the Authority after payment of the prescribed fee. Objections and representations must be lodged in writing with the Authority and the designated liquor officer in accordance with section 39 of the Act.

VORM 3A KENNISGEWING VAN AANSOEKE OM DRANKLISENSIES INGEVOLGE ARTIKEL 37(1) VAN DIE WES-KAAPSE DRANKWET, 2008 – [REG. 10(1)] Hiermee word kennis gegee dat die volgende aansoeke om dranklisensies ingedien is by die Wes-Kaapse Drankowerheid (die Owerheid) en by die aangewese drankbeamptes by die aangeduide Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiedienskantore. Die betrokke aansoeke kan, tot en met die 28ste dag vanaf die datum van publikasie van die aansoek, op versoek en gratis deur enige persoon besigtig word by die kantore van die Owerheid of die aangewese drankbeampte hieronder gelys. Afskrifte van ’n aansoek kan by die Owerheid verkry word na betaling van die voorgeskrewe fooi. Besware en vertoë moet ooreenkomstig artikel 39 van die Wet skriftelik by die Owerheid en die aangewese drankbeampte ingedien word.

IFOMU 3A ISAZISO SOKUFAKWA KWESICELO SEPHEPHA MVUME NGOKWECANDELO 37(1) LOMTHETHO WOTYWALA WENTSHONA KOLONI KA-2008 – [UMGAQO 10(1)] Isaziso siyanikezelwa ukuba ezi zicelo zilandelayo zamaphepha mvume otywala zifakiwe kwabasemaGunyeni ezoTywala eNtshona Koloni (abasemaGunyeni) nakumagosa ajongene nemiba engotywala kwii-ofisi ezixeliweyo zeeNkonzo zamaPolisa aseMzantsi Afrika. Izicelo ekubhekiselelwa kuzo zingakwazi kwiintsuku ezingamashumi amabini anesibhozo (28) ukususela ngomhla wokupapashwa kwesi sicelo, xa eceliwe kwaye simahla, ziye kuhlolwa nguye nawuphi umntu okwi-Ofisi esemaGunyeni okanye yegosa elijongene nemiba engotywala elixelwe apha ngezantsi. Iikopi zesicelo zingafumaneka kwabasemaGunyeni emva kwentlawulo emiselweyo. Uchaso neengxelo ezixhasayo ezibhaliweyo zingafakwa kwabasemaGunyeni nakwigosa elijongene nemiba engotywala ngokwecandelo 39 loMthetho. Full name of applicant Volle naam van aansoeker Igama elipheleleyo lomfaki-sicelo

Name under which business will be conducted

Address of the proposed premises

Naam waaronder besigheid bedryf sal word

Idilesi yesakhiwo

Kind of licence applied for

Adres van die voorgenome perseel Tipe lisensie waarom aansoek gedoen word Uhlobo lwephepha mvume olucelayo

Igama ishishini eza kushishina phantsi kwalo

South African Police Services designated liquor officer office where the application has been lodged Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens-kantoor van die aangewese drankbeampte waar die aansoek ingedien is i-Ofisi yeGosa elijongene nemiba engotywala yeeNkonzo zamaPolisa eMzantsi Afrika apho isicelo sifakwe khona

Locals (Pty) Ltd

Locals

Erf 2187, 8 Strand Street, Plettenberg Bay

On-consumption

Plettenberg Bay

Shaun Michael Phillips

N2 Lounge

Erf 3287, Active Road, New Horizons, Plettenberg Bay

On-consumption

Kwanokuthula Plettenberg Bay

Models and ICE Modelling Agency for the outstanding production. Additional judges were Sybil Harker, Stuart Palmer of Tshisa Talent fame, Lynette Mullins of ShowMe Plett, Michael-John Grobler, Miss Garden Route & Klein Karoo, Mandy James, and Africa Vumazonke of Black and White Visual Media. She also thanks Willow Mullins of ShowMe Plett/ Knysna for taking photos on the night, and the talented local artists who entertained with song and dance: H2O Dance Group, Bulelani, Shaundre and Percy, and DJ Mervin. “Finally, we are extremely grateful to Stan Juries and everyone at Bitou Municipality who supported the event. Your contribution shows that you have great interest in our community and especially in the youth,” Melissa concludes.

Mr and Miss Plett/ Knysna beautiful quotes to live by • “No matter how plain a woman may be, if truth and honesty are written across her face, she will be beautiful.” - Eleanor Roosevelt • “Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.” - Kahlil Gibran • “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7 • “For attractive lips, may we speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, may we seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, may we share our food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, may we let a child run his fingers through every day. For poise, may we walk with the knowledge that we never walk alone.” - Sam Levenson • “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” - Elisabeth KüblerRoss

NEWS & VIEWS

15 November 2017

CXPRESS

Public safety force prepared for holiday season the course of the peak holiday period. “I witnessed how competently you operated last season and I know that you will again carry out your duties correctly and conscientiously over the coming months.”

Words & photos: Timothy Twidle

ITOU’S senior manager of Public Safety, Andile Sakati, held an inspection of its Public Safety force - comprising Traffic Control, Fire and Rescue, and Law Enforcement - on the morning of Monday November 13 as part of preparations for the forthcoming holiday season. The inspection took place at Plett’s Piesang Valley Community hall in the presence of Bitou mayor Peter Lobese, accompanied by municipal manager Thabo Ndlovu, and councillors Nomhiki Jacob, Monica Seyisi and David Swart, as well as senior officials of Bitou Municipality. Nineteen officers of Bitou’s Public Safety force gave a splendid perfor-

TAKE NO PRISONERS: Members of the Crowd Control Unit demonstrate their prowess during the course of an inspection held on Monday morning

mance of marching and parade ground drill, after which the mayor inspected a guard of honour and was given an overview of the vehicles and equipment used to maintain safety, law and

KEYS IN RIGHT HANDS: Bitou mayor Peter Lobese, third from left, officially hands over the keys of three new fire-fighting vehicles to municipal manager Thabo Ndlovu; looking on are councillor Monica Seyisi and Public Safety senior manager Andile Sakati, right

RED FOR BRAD: A new fire engine, named Bradley Richards in honour of the volunteer fire-fighter who tragically lost his life in the execution of his duties in combating the horrific fires that swept through large parts of the Garden Route in June, was unveiled and officially handed over

FORCEFUL LADIES: At Monday’s inspection of Bitou’s Public Safety force were officers, from left, Nomawonga Grootboom, Valiswa Molose, Lindo Zitha, and Lumka Ndabeni

order in the municipality. A demonstration was carried out by the Crowd Control Unit of the techniques employed to control riotous and unruly behaviour. Bitou Municipality has acquired three new fire-fighting vehicles in the wake of the horrific June fires, and keys for the vehicles were officially handed over during the course of the morning. The cost of purchasing the three fire-fighting vehicles was R2.05-million, made possible by way of a generous contribution of R1.45million from Western Cape Disaster Management and Fire and Rescue Services, with the balance being provided by Bitou Municipality. A new fire engine unveiled during the inspection was named Bradley Richards, in honour of the brave volunteer fire-fighter who tragically lost his life in the course of carrying out his duties in combating a conflagration on June 7. A small dinghy recently donated to Bitou Municipality to patrol rivers so that regulations pertaining to these waterways are adhered to, was also on display at the inspection. In his address to the members of Bitou’s Public Safety force, Lobese said: “I have full confidence in your abilities to handle all the many difficulties that may present themselves during

During his address, Ndlovu reminded: “Over high season there is a threefold increase in the number of people in Plettenberg Bay, and we have to ensure that visitors to our town feel safe at all times so that tourism,

the driver of the local economy, can flourish and grow.” CXPRESS wishes the staff of Public Safety in Bitou every success in their endeavours and in the execution of their duties over the busy weeks of the festive season.

CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

15 November 2017

French flair shines through to make novice shooter a photo comp winner ERENICE Chabanel of Plett, currently completing Grade 8 at Glenwood House School in George, was recently declared the winner of a photo competition themed ‘Garden Route through the Eyes of a Child’. Says the talented youngster, who has often graced these pages for her achievements in a plethora of sports disciplines: “I discovered my love for photography only recently and started taking it seriously in July this year. “Ever since, I have been trying out new subjects and styles. I found out about the competition via Facebook Ads and decided to enter. I honestly didn’t think I would win this competition at all, but I’m super stoked that I did. “My main prize is a flip with Garden Route Gliding, and I also won a trip to Robberg Nature Reserve

TOP SHOT: The pic that won the judges’ favour and resulted in Berenice’s first photo competition victory

for my whole class,” enthuses Berenice. Hosted by Plettenberg Bay Christian School, entrants to the competition had to email their photos of the Garden Route for judges to select those images that best portrayed the theme. Not surprisingly, the quality of Berenice’s photo above took

COVER MATERIAL: The front page of our October 18 edition was graced with another Chabanel beauty

their collective fancy. • Readers may remember the striking image of a surfer that adorned our October 18 edition - another image from the lens of this budding young photographer, and coincidentally taken on the same day the competition winner was shot at Plett’s Central Beach.

SHY SHOOTER: Berenice far prefers being behind the lens, but we managed to procure this fun phodie taken by brother Gabin next to the Chabanel pool recently

Astute young Asisipho has her sights on mechatronic engineering ILL of God Ministries (WGM) youth member Asisipho Mbhenga is a student at Murray High School in KwaNokuthula, and recently received three certificates of merit as best performing student in Grade 11. Says WGM’s Pastor Jacob Nthako: “She has done extremely well, with her best subjects being mathematics, physical science and economics, and I’m very proud of her. At WGM we encourage the youth to study hard so that they can have a better future and be responsible citizens who will make this country a better place.” The pastor adds that he encouraged Asisipho to continue studying and rake in distinctions.

“I pray that the Lord will bless her with bursaries so that she can go to university and do her studies. With God, all things are possible!” Clever Miss Mbhenga has her heart set on studying

mechatronic engineering after finishing matric. If you read here and want to back this determined local learner, email nthako@me.com and the good pastor will provide more information.

BETTER FUTURE BECKONS: Asisipho Mbhenga and Pastor Jacob Nthako of Will of God Ministries, where youngsters are strongly encouraged to make South Africa a better place through their continued excellence in academics

BUSINESS

15 November 2017

We’re drowning in debt - but who will throw us a lifeline? Stuart Murray

HE run-up to the ANC’s electoral conference, with the various power plays we are now experiencing, may cloud the reality of the dire state of the country’s finances. We need to borrow money lots of it and fast. But we are hardly in a position to do so. South Africa’s budget is swollen by an excessive government payroll, costly social grants, and heavy interest payments to service debt. The government itself struggles to function, through inefficiency and corruption. There is no money for much-needed infrastructure and job creation. Last week Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu disclosed that irregular government expenditure increased by more than 50% in 2016/17. Irregular expenditure by municipalities alone increased by over 50% to R16.81-billion over that period. Moreover, municipalities are drowning in debt, owing creditors R43-billion, much of it due to failure to collect revenue for services. According to the A-G report, only nine out

Investor Focus

of 263 municipalities achieved clean audits. State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are also in the soup, currently burdened with debt totalling R700-billion, attracting R51-billion in interest. Reality is clouded by loud calls for “job creation” by politicians and union leaders as if jobs can be pulled out of a hat. A wellfunctioning economy, not wishful thinking, creates jobs. South Africa’s economy cannot even begin to support the millions of unemployed, particularly the young. GDP growth for 2018 is forecast at 0.5%-0.6%. Government must raise cash as a matter of urgency, but how and from whom? We can raise taxes, of course, but the mood in the country is strongly against this. Anyway, the government is close to peak taxes as a proportion of GDP. Also, the government doesn’t want to cut spending; that could be political suicide. So the only option is to borrow more. One aspect of October’s mid-term Budget

CXPRESS

is the ambition to run a deficit of 3.9% a year. But the economy is only growing at the rate of 1%-2% a year, so debt will accumulate (and compound). Over the next three weeks or so, it is estimated that just short of R1,000-billion will be needed to fund government’s deficit. This will take total debt to R3.5-trillion, while pushing our debt/GDP level to at least 60%. Further rating agency downgrades are perilously close. Moody’s dismissed Finance minister Gigaba’s Budget Policy statement as “an abandonment” of his predecessor’s fiscal policy. This could put the kibosh on our bonds market. With a debt/GDP ratio at 51.70%, our current rating by Standard & Poors is BB+. Next step down takes us to BB, where languish Brazil and Croatia. Gigaba and his advisors recently met with Moody’s officials after a confab with a team from S&P, and the Moody’s delegation was expected to meet with government again. Also looking into our fiscal woes last week were visiting officials from the International Monetary Fund - viewed by most economists as a “lender of last resort”.

Johan Els, senior economist at Old Mutual Investments, predicts that South Africa’s currency rating will likely be cut to Junk status “within weeks”. • Stuart Murray (stuartmurray758@gmail. com) is a former senior assistant editor of Financial Mail and co-founder, editor, and CEO of Finance Week. He is retired and lives in Plettenberg Bay.

Malcolm Stewart – Investment manager at Michaelides Parker Wealth Knysna & Plett

Is there any reason to regain confidence? ISSED opportunities are often very painful. Hindsight sheds a cruel light on what could have been, had you seized the moment or the opportunity. That South Africa has lost the opportunity embraced by other emerging countries is clear. When global growth accelerated we were unable to reap the benefits that would have accrued to the advantage of our economy. Besides the terrible drought, our industrial and mining sector lacked the confidence to expand into the growing global demand. Politics robbed us of any confidence in our overall economic policies, while the perpetual wrangling about the mining charter delayed any new mining ventures. Our economy is also consumer-driven and we have witnessed a severe lack of consumer confidence. Domestic debt levels have been sharply reduced with many potential purchases being delayed, again through a lack of confidence in the political future. Investors need stability and certainty before committing funds to any new or expan-

sionary projects. So what do our retirees do in such an uncertain climate? As stated above, hindsight does not shine kindly on lost opportunities, but retirees need confidence and certainty in protecting their retirement funds. It is at times like these that investment decisions are very difficult if not impossible to make. However, one has to ask: how much of the potential bad news has been priced into the market? An investment downgrade will not be a surprise. A change in the political climate may be seen as negative. Again, no surprises there! A black-swan event will be a surprise, but these are clearly impossible to anticipate. On the other side of the coin, a political change that is perceived to be positive, plus a sale of “state assets” (i.e. Telkom, etc.) could change the scenario overnight. A new broom could emerge that installs confidence in the policies that drive the economy. How do retirees participate in this exciting possibility without taking excessive risks? Clearly there is no decision that can be to-

tally correct, but experience has taught me that it may be better to be half right than half wrong. So instead of clinging to as much cash as possible, one could ease some funds into the market. There are many “domestic” companies offering real value. One needs to look no further than the banking sector. These companies are well run and will benefit from any return of confidence. For instance: Bank - P/E Ratio (1 year on) - Div. yield • Standard Bank - 10.0 - 5.2% • Nedbank - 8.3 - 6.0% • FNB - 10.6 - 4.98% • Barclays - 7.5 - 7.6% These dividend yields are sustainable, banks will always be needed, and the future may not be so bleak However, caution is necessary, so maybe you should decide on the “half-right” option! • Malcolm has been in the investment industry for nearly 50 years. He has written this column in CXPRESS for the last 19 years and is a specialist in managing retired wealth.

Welcome to our region. We have a water crisis with severe restrictions. Thank you for playing your part in protecting this precious commodity.

Welkom in ons streek. Ons het ’n waterkrisis met streng beperkings. Dankie dat jy help om hierdie kosbare hulpbron te beskerm.

Wamkelekile kwingingqi yethu. Sikwixesha lobunzima bokunqaba kwamanzi elinezinyino eziqatseleyo. Enkosi ngokudlala indima yakho ekukhuseleni la manzi anqabe kangaka.

We wish you a wonderful stay with us.

Ons hoop jy geniet jou verblyf by ons.

Sikunqwenelela uhlale nathi ngolonwabo olukhulu.

Alan Winde

Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities

Wes-Kaapse Minister van Ekonomiese Geleenthede

UMphathiswa wezaMathuba ezoQoqosho weNtshona Koloni

CXPRESS

INTERVAL

15 November 2017

First-hand stories to make you laugh... Pregnant with doubt When the sergeant told our new commander that his driver could not participate in an upcoming field manoeuvre because she was pregnant, the enraged commander demanded to know just how pregnant she was. The sergeant’s reply: “Completely, sir.” What an ugly duck My husband was waterskiing when he fell into the river. As the boat circled to pick him up, he noticed a hunter sitting in a duck boat in the reeds. My husband put his hands in the air and joked: “Don’t shoot!” The hunter responded: “Don’t quack.” The deadliest job in WWII My high school assignment was to ask a veteran about World War II. Since my father had served in the Philippines during the war, I chose him. After a few basic questions, I very gingerly asked: “Did you ever kill anyone?” Dad got quiet. Then, in a soft voice, he said: “Probably. I was the cook.” The problem with new jeans I was at the customer service desk, returning a pair of jeans that was too tight. “Was anything wrong with them?” the clerk asked. “Oh yes,” I said. “They hurt my feelings.” Why can’t coffee shops spell correctly? When asked for his name by the coffee shop clerk, my brother-in-law answered: “Marc, with a C.” Minutes later, he was

handed his coffee with his name written on the side: ‘Cark’. You can’t teach an old dog to fly A woman called our airline’s customer service desk asking if she could take her dog on board. “Sure,” I said, “as long as you provide your own kennel.” I further explained that the kennel needed to be large enough for the dog to stand up, sit down, turn around, and roll over. The customer was flummoxed: “I’ll never be able to teach him all of that by tomorrow!” Whom gave it away? When my co-worker answered his phone, the confused woman on the other end asked: “Who is this?” “This is Steve. With whom did you wish to speak?” After a pause: “Did you just say ‘whom’?” “Yes, I did.” The woman replied: “I have the wrong number,” and hung up. Bosom buddies My friend at the singles club was blithely chatting away, oblivious to the fact that her name tag had slipped down over her breast. I asked another friend if I should say something to her. “Like what?” she asked. “What she named the other one?” Half it your way The food at the sandwich shop I frequent is good, but any deviation from the norm throws the staff. I once told a clerk I wanted only half a sandwich. His reply: “What am I going to do with the oth-

China has a population of a billion people. One billion. That means even if you’re a ‘one in a million’ kind of guy, there are still a thousand others exactly like you.

er half ?” A week later, when I told another clerk the same thing, she responded: “Do you want the top or the bottom?” Good English My English language students try really hard and are truly appreciative. One student paid me the ultimate compliment when she said: “You teach English good.” Another assured me: “I will always forget you.” And a third insisted: “I thank you from the heart of my bottom.” A snappy answer from my kid After catching my fiveyear-old son, Lucas, trying to pull a fast one, I demanded: “Do you

think I have idiot written on my forehead?” Lucas answered: “I don’t know. I can’t read.” A dumb driver answer My sister didn’t do as well on her driver’s test as she’d hoped. It might have had something to do with how she completed this sentence: “When the ______ is dead, the car won’t start.” She wrote: “Driver.” Time to reboot My husband was at a dinner with colleagues, and one of them had too much to drink. Feeling drowsy, the poor man sank back into his chair and said: “I don’t feel good. I’m going into screen saver mode.”

“You mean to tell me that spoons don’t actually sound like airplanes?”

SOCIAL SCENE

15 November 2017

CXPRESS

People, places & events

Photo: Eileen Covarr

SHOP & DINE @ SAME TIME: Remax agent Robert Auersperg, second from right at left, congratulated Andries Strydom on the sale of Old & New to Andrew Stead recently. “We welcome Andrew and his family to Plettenberg Bay and wish them all the best in their new venture. An interesting development that arose from this sale was that Luiz de Fonseca of LM in Plett has opened a café in the courtyard next to Old & New, the wares of which are now showcased in Café Luiz and available for purchase as such,” says Robert. Pictured with him from left are Andrew, Luiz, and Andries. Call Robert on 072 246 9929 if you’re interested in buying or selling a business.

REVIVAL CAPTURED: Derek Rushton of the Plett PhotoFUNatics shared this image after the group of happy snappers’ most recent meet, which had an open theme in terms of subject matter. “The fire is still raw in everyone’s minds, so it appears as a recurring theme in the open sessions. The good news is that we are seeing much rejuvenation occurring, and November’s top shot was Eileen Covarr’s ‘New Growth’,” says Derek. If you would like to join the fold of this shoot-for-fun collective, leave a message on the Plett PhotoFUNatics Facebook page. And on the subject of ‘growth’, look out for post-coverage of yet another successful PAWS Open Gardens event in CXPRESS of November 22.

HEAR FOR YOU: Michelle Ash of Advanced Hearing received a Certificate of Patient Care Excellence at a function hosted by Sivanto/ Siemems Hearing Solutions at Fancourt in George recently. A leading manufacturer, Siemens earlier this year introduced the world’s first hearing aid that can be remotely programmed via a smartphone app, so giving patients instant access to an audiologist from the comfort of their homes. Explains Michelle: “Our ability to assist patients promptly and efficiently improves the patientclient experience while enabling a strong aftercare commitment. At Advanced Hearing, we have implemented this technology in an effort to provide caring, comprehensive, and personalised hearing healthcare and to this end, Sivantos/Siemens recognised our efforts.” With over 25 year of experience in hearing health care, Advanced Hearing opened its doors in Plett and Knysna in 2015 and, in June this year, Michelle and crew were excited to extend their services to Sedgefield. Visit www. advancedhearing.co.za to find out more.

VOËLS VAN EENDERSE VERE: Plett Sekondêr se Ekoklub lede het onlangs die Nature’s Valley Trust se voëlkyk kompetisie gewen - baie geluk! Van links op die foto met Meneer Jeftha in die agterste ry is Abongile, Denley, Rafik, Breyton, en Juffrou Bowers. In die middel is Jenica, Lorenzo, Nerissa en Chanelle, met Oliver, Jeandre, en Keashwin voor.

END OF AN ERA: Plett Pre-Primary held a farewell bash to take their leave of stalwarts Margie Friedman and Rene Heyns, at right, who are both retiring after many years of teaching and intimate involvement at the burgeoning school behind the Bitou fire station. Their colleagues and charges will all miss them dearly, and the departing ladies wished the school’s Susannie, second from left above, and her team all the best for a bright pre-primary future. GOOD SPORTS: Organiser Barry Ricketts thanks everyone who made last Friday’s Sports Quiz at Plett Bowling Club such a successful and entertaining evening. “The purpose of this annual quiz is to collect funds for local youngsters who excel in sport, and thanks to your support plus some generous sponsorship, we raised approximately R10,000 to this end,” says Barry, pictured at left above with recipient of a R2k-cheque Leolin Petersen, who will represent SA in gymnastics this December, and with Gerhard van Huyssteen, who accepted R2.5k on behalf of Plett Surf Lifesaving Club’s Nippers. Final team scores saw Lodestone Wines in first place with 81 points, closely followed by Sanlam Private Wealth at 78.5. But each of the 14 contributing teams’ members deserve a sporting shout out for their participation and here’s hoping to see y’all signing up in February/March, when it’s time for the Music Quiz 2018.

La Luna

CXPRESS

15 November 2017

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

15 November 2017

Letters to the Editor

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

What made beep-beep-beep... ... at midnight on a Sunday 10 days ago, and woke up all the residents of Cutty Sark Avenue? A 26-wheeler longdistance cargo truck and trailer ass’y found itself

at the end of the cul-desac in upper Cutty Sark. The driver had to manoeuvre the truck back and forth several times over a distance of 200 metres to avoid driving

Vic Bay beach went AWOL in absence of George municipal bulldozer

BEACH ALERT: Winter erosion has resulted in a sand dearth on Vic Bay’s beach

The beach at Victoria Bay has lost most of its sand and is no longer user-friendly. Fifteen years ago it was standard practice that George Municipality in anticipation of winter beach erosion, would put a small bulldozer on the beach to push the sand up to the high-tide mark. Sadly, that precautionary measure has fallen

by the wayside and during the coming Christmas holiday season, visitors will have to travel to Harolds Bay or face the dangerous beaches of Wilderness. Undoubtedly this will result in serious congestion and overload of the limited facilities at these alternative beaches. ‘Metal Detect Team’, Plett

Ta for backing Plett Karate Congrats are due to Thenique Arnolds on an excellent achievement and putting her dojo, Plett Karate Kyousei, her town, and her country on the map during the fourth World Goju Ryu Karate Federation champs held in Romania recently. She was ranked seventh best in kata out of 20 countries in her age group. I thank everyone for their contributions, with special thanks to Chris Parvin, L&H Garmany, Willy and Pippa Ford, the New Horizons community, St Mary’s Church, CMS, the Praise and Worship team, HDRS attorneys, Lida Grobler, Peter Parker, and Periwinkle Lodge. Apart from the anonymous donations, thanks also go to Biltong Deli, Jennifer Musa, Plett Country Club, Monday Hackers, Hilda Plaatjies, Virgil Lourens, Clicks manager Mariana Ambraal, Avens Adams, Katharine Crone, Bitou Municipality, Louisa Harker, Wilmheim Els, the Legge Family, Lynnus Greeks, Renechia Leonard, and all Plett Karate Kyousei parents and management for their backing. A shout out is also due to the many students from Plett dojo who gained medals at the SA Karate

Kyousei National Championships in Cape Town. The team made a good impact at the competition and I again thank all our parents for their wonderful support. Competing in the Cape were Anda Maselana, Jemeille Dixon, Hylene Cedras (3th kumite), Kyle McCallum (3rd kumite), Devonte Oelf (3rd kumite, 2nd kata), Mackenzie Wates, Whitney Pasha (3rd kata), Michael Crone (3rd kumite), Luciano Aweries, Hailey Kivetts (3rd kumite, 3rd kata), Eathan Windvogel (3rd kumite, 3rd kata), Jayden Wates (3rd kumite), Aviwe Grootboom (3rd kata), Thenique Arnolds (1st kata, 2nd kumite), Duane Clark (3rd kumite, 3rd kata), Nivesha Pika, and Liam Prins (2nd kata, 3rd kumite). I need to point out that Liam’s two medals are all the more special since it was his first-ever competition as a white belt. Finally, I thank everyone who supported my own efforts in the competition, allowing me to attain a second place in kata and first in kumite, resulting in me winning the trophy for best senior kumite male of the championship. Sensei Jonathan Jansen, Plett

onto residents’ gardens on the sidewalk. Eventually it was able to make a U-turn at Aerial Drive, from where it made its way back to the N2 - a tricky manoeuver that lasted more than

half an hour. The question that remains is how the driver ended up in Cutty Sark in the first place. Could it be that the cul-de-sac signs have been removed? ‘The Drone’, Plett

Longships issues call for Bitou Traffic’s immediate action There are two issues along Longships Drive that I believe need urgent attention from Bitou’s traffic department. First is the entrance to the recently completed parking area (for Beacon Island KwikSpar) at the northern end of Longships, where I have witnessed three near misses caused by drivers attempting to enter the parking area across the barrier line, immediately after turning out of Beacon Isle

Crescent into Longships. Second is the newly constructed manhole right alongside the road a few hundred metres along on the left hand (sea) side. This manhole stands proud of the ground, and is located right next to the road verge. I trust there are plans to protect vehicles as well as the manhole, by installing an Armco barrier between the road and the manhole. ‘Concerned Motorist’, Plett

Words on Mr Weinstein, sexbots, and human nature A short time ago, I wrote a letter regarding the oncoming robotic age, and the fact that androids in the human form will perform many of the functions necessitated by industry and domestically, including the new concept of sexbots. Nature gave man a thing called the male imperative, which means you go out, knock a buffalo on the head, drag it home, give to the mate to cook, and keep the skin as a fur coat. Domestic roles were dead simple: I provide and you in return give me that nice ‘difference’ that nature gave you… The stronger the genes, the luckier you got. Now let’s look at Harvey, who evidently got a genetic overcharge of the male imperative. I have the power, you have ambition, so we trade. Now I ain’t saying that Harvey was right. But I bet there were a hell of a lot of women that used the full force of the bargaining power that nature gave them. So why cry foul 30 years later? Just look at the society that they come from: drugs, sex, brutality, raw ambition to get to the top - anyway, anyhow. It is incredible that a cabinet minister loses his job 14 years after stroking a journalist’s knee. Then I’m not even mentioning those stories going back 40 years, to wreck lives and join the parade. The hideous crimes of brutal rape, bodily, and mental abuse should be the true headlines, not the publicity-seeking, aging

cinema has-beens joining the parade four decades after they achieved their ambition by use of the casting couch. Now, man will always chance his arm. Nature made him that way. But for how much longer? Not much. He is becoming dead-scared of even talking to a woman in case his name hits the headlines, and that is where the sexbots are going to take over. The woman’s role is doomed. Artificial intelligence, artificial wombs, where will it end? It’s the woman’s role that is in danger, not the man’s get real. The time has surely arrived to concentrate on the massive problems raging in society today: single parents, abused and homeless children, the appalling statistics of rape and drunken abuse, foetal alcohol syndrome, the shocking living conditions of slums. Our desperate lack of good education and the shortage of money to lift people out of horrid conditions combine to spawn these blights on what we loosely term ‘civilised society’. People in power, male and female, will use that power, and there will always be people who will give whatever’s required to take advantage of it. That’s life. That’s human nature. But we really don’t have to give airtime to the queens of Hollywood, when there is such a dire need to help the unheard and ignored in our very own society. Monsieur du Comte de Warbois, Plett

CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

15 November 2017

Lots of reasons to celebrate successful martial arts encounter at The Dunes continuous fighting. Interestingly, many of the local students compete in both the traditional karate and kickboxing categories. Kudos are due to the Academy’s Andries Smhart for leading the organising ONE BIG HAPPY FIGHTING FAMILY: The large contingent of fighters who represented Plett at the recent ISKA Eden Challenge, the youngest first-time participants being all of five years old and the most senior competitor being ‘Oupa’ Chris Cronjé, 64 (the grandfather and kata buddy of the high-performing young Lojza Pisonic) - making him a full six years younger than the event’s oldest competitor, hailing from George and fighting fit at 70! - Photo William Ashurst

HE Dunes Resort welcomed a record amount of entrants to the ISKA Eden Challenge hosted by Plettenberg Bay Martial Arts Academy, which comprises Goju Ryu traditional karate and SKA Sports

Martial Arts, on Saturday November 4. By 8:30am karateka and kickboxers of all ages had arrived from as far as the Cape and East London to contend in a variety of disciplines in four different arenas.

The local contingent of martial artists impressed on all fronts, with medals aplenty finding their way to Bitou homes across the board of kickboxing and karate challenges, including kata, kumite, points and

team responsible for an extremely smooth-running event which, unbeknownst to many of his closest collaborators, coincided with his own birthday. Said Andries: “The kids and parents from our dojo form one big martial arts family, so their presence and great performances all

round was the best birthday present I could ask for.” The able Dunes team pulled out all the stops to ensure that hundreds of competitors and their families were catered for with aplomb, so the event may very well find its way back there on repeated occasions in the foreseeable future.

Kranshoek riders impress during their debut at The Yard Words & photo: Leigh Dunn

OR the first time ever, children from Kranshoek took part in a local horse-riding show and competition when the Burnside Equestrian Club Training Show was held at The Yard off Plett’s Piesang Valley Road on Sunday November 12. Manager and coach Lee Naude accompanied the kids to this new experience - even though they all have horses at home, they have never had the opportunity to compete in riding shows. By establishing Kranshoek Riders Club, Lee and other shareholders are making it possible for these kids’ equestrian dreams to

GROUND-BREAKERS: Looking at home on the back of horse ‘Alf’ is Myron Moodie with, from left, coach Lee Naudé, Jayden Johnson, Nicole Jacobs and Chriszane Windvogel, all of whom walked away from Sunday’s show with rosettes and prizes

come true. Each of the participating Kranshoek children won a rosette and a prize, and they would like to thank

their horse Alf and his owner Adele from Burnside Equestrian Club for affording them this great opportunity.

Cheers to Country Club’s bowls winners Congratulations to the winners of the 2017 Drawn Mixed Pairs competition Sheila Horn and Bill Ingram, right, who are seen here receiving their trophy from Roger Wright president of the Plettenberg Bay Country Club Bowls Section.

sunglass boutique JOIN US FOR SUNSET SESSIONS AT...

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT KICK OFF YOUR WEEKEND WITH HALF PRICE DRINKS FROM 6 - 7PM R20 BEER ON TAP ALL NIGHT TOPPED OFF WITH LIVE MUSIC FROM 6 - 9PM info@emilymoon.co.za | +27 (44) 501 2500 | 1 Rietvlei Road, Plettenberg Bay | T’s & C’s apply