17 august 2016

17 August 2016

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

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Victory dance ANC and AUF supporters danced for joy in front of the Bitou municipal buildings on Friday when Plett’s new leadership was adopted during an inaugural council meeting - find out more on page 3.

Knysna council convenes p4

Biking surfers save the day p5

Focus on soaring food costs p7

Buffalo Bay surfers stoked p12 Photo: Yolandé Stander

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

17 August 2016

Driving Miss Crazy

A strange coincidence of sharing recipes with a SA Braaimaster contestant on one of my drives JEEVES shares his adventures as Garden Route chauffeur extraordinaire... must to watch daily on DSTV Channel 179 at 4pm is the SA Braaimaster competition - that’s if it’s still running by the time you read here. (Various contestants participate in teams of two, through a daily process of elimination, until there’s one winning team.)

Each episode hosts a different location in South Africa, and that’s the main reason not to miss the programme: to behold the kaleidoscope of our country’s landscape from the comfort of an armchair, revisiting those places many of us had been to before.

You see the best, from Paternoster up the Weskus to numerous Cape Town venues, the Garden Route to Matjiesfontein in the Karoo, the beaches of the Eastern Cape,

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from the Lowveld to the Natal Midlands... it’s got it all!

The cooking isn’t all that great tho’, because the participants are like you and me - everyday home cooks, and not chefs.

So it’s more a case of learning how not to make something.

The challenges and recipes are not the norm, run-of-the-mill braai foods, either.

New angles on dishes, like baking breads and making puddings in a potjie-pot, or smoking fish, are regular features.

The presenter and judges may be top SA chefs, but are real droll when it comes to pizazz, with their sleep-inducing, humourless, monotone talk.

When likened to similar programmes, either with Jamie-the-Knackered or the Oz MasterChef panel or Suzelle DIY or Gordon “the beef is SO undercooked that it’s starting to eat the f^*#@ salad’ or ‘your lamb is so f“+@#~ raw, it’s following Mary to school’ Ramsey, there’s just no comparison.

--Then lately - on one of my drives - I recognised the passenger as one of the contestants in this very programme!

She was delighted I’d seen most of the episodes, and so there was plenty to share, chat about and discuss with this ‘CookSister’ team member. I commented on the

potjie-pot Karoo lamb curry I’d seen her make, and she gave me the recipe… and her autograph!

Karoo Lamb Curry (Stove-top method) Curry paste 2 knobs ginger 5 cloves garlic 2 chillies 50ml seed oil - blend into paste.

Ingredients 2 onions, chopped 2 chopped (red/green) peppers 1kg cubed lamb (neck, stewing on the bone) 30ml oil 2 tbsp curry powder 1 tbsp Masala 1 tbsp Turmeric

1 tsp pepper-corns 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp cloves 1 tin tomato paste 1/2kg peeled and diced potatoes 1/2kg carrots, peeled and sliced Method • Glaze onions and peppers, add curry powder and fry, stirring.

• Add other spices and stir ‘till dry, add paste and a cup of water and mix.

• Add lamb and simmer ‘till meat just tender.

• Add potatoes and carrots, cook ‘till soft, add salt and pepper.

• Serve with rice and sambals.

(I don’t know how to say it in Karoo taal... so, bon appetite!)

‘Till next time, buckle-up! - Jeeves

LITTLE KAROO HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE: A trip showcasing the Klein Karoo’s beautiful views inspired a lamb curry to die for

COOKING WITH COOK-SISTER: A fine combo of ingredients make for a fabulous Karoo curry

Jogging Down Memory Lane

Do you remember those times - the places and people?

THERE’S A FISH FOR YOU! The one person I recognise in this photo is Peter Monson - in the dark shorts - and one of the youngsters (at the time) is Michael McCarthy, I think. Who are the others in the photograph?

Derek Frielinghaus

F these images ring a bell, ask yourself: What memories and recollections do they dredge up? What do you remember of the time or people pictured? Email your reminiscences to haus@mweb.co.za (with or without your name), or drop it off in hard copy at the CXPRESS office at 6 Park Lane in Plett CBD.

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WHO IS THIS IN THE PHOTO? There was such a ‘run’ of tunny in Plett in the mid-70s that we were asked to store about five of these huge fish in our cold room at Monks Supermarket.

I remember they were even catching tunny off the rocks, which was unheard of!

NEWS & VIEWS

17 August 2016

CXPRESS

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New Bitou mayor puts people before politics, however DA not ready to accept results Bitou’s post local government election drama has been continuing non-stop since the results started coming in on August 4, and while by Friday the town’s first council meeting was held and its new mayor elected, the saga persists - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports HE first round of turmoil started when the election results revealed that Bitou had once again become a hung council.

During the previous elections the council was hung as well, and was subsequently led by a DA and COPE coalition which later soured. The DA, however, won outright majority in 2014, when it won an ANC ward during by-elections.

While the DA received the majority of the votes this time around, this was not enough to secure outright majority leaving both the DA and the ANC with six seats each and the Active United Front (AUF) with a single seat.

This was followed by coalition talks with the AUF by both parties as well as a dispute by the DA over the calculation of results, which revealed that the party had lost its seventh seat by a mere 21 votes.

Despite the dispute, made on August 5, final results were declared by the IEC the next day.

The first council meeting was called on Friday

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TOP TWO: Newly-elected mayor Peter Lobese, left, with former and now deputy mayor Euan Wildeman - Photo: Yolandé Stander

where it became clear that the ANC and the AUF had joined forces to lead the municipality over the next five years.

The trade-off for the coalition was the position as mayor, which went to Peter Lobese of the AUF, instead of the ANC’s preelection mayoral candidate

Euan Wildeman.

Wildeman, who was Bitou mayor following the 2006 elections, was elected as deputy mayor. The position of speaker went to Paki Mbali.

The mayoral chain was barely around Lobese’s neck before more drama followed, when it came to

light that the DA had officially lodged an objection against the declared results in terms of Section 65 of the Municipal Electoral Act. DA lawyers filed the objection demanding a recount of votes in Ward 5, where the party claims there were several issues To page 4

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

17 August 2016

Spirits high in Knysna council chambers as new guard is sworn in

New Bitou mayor puts people before politics

Words & photos: Candice Ludick

HE inaugural meeting of the newly-appointed Knysna Council was held on Monday August 15, the council chambers packed to capacity with supporters across the political spectrum. Spirits were high, with much ululating and chanting as officials were sworn in.

Municipal Manager Grant Easton officiated the proceedings and reminded councillors and supporters that the newlyelected public representatives were tasked with setting direction and making decisions that would have far-reaching implications for the town over the next five years.

He offered his support as well, as the backing of some 600-700 municipal staff, in achieving their objectives.

During the Local Government Elections held on August 3, the Democratic Alliance (DA) won six of the 11 wards in the Greater Knysna area, equating to 10 of the 21 available seats in Council.

Cope holds one seat, as does the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), the Knysna Unity Congress (KUC), and Independent councillor Velile Waxa.

Waxa entered into a coalition agreement with the DA, making them the offi-

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cial ruling party in Knysna.

He however assured everyone in attendance that at meetings concerning the welfare of his people he would act in their interests as an Independent.

Eleanore Bouw-Spies was elected as Executive Mayor, representing the DA. She held this same position nine years ago, when she was still a member of the ANC, after which she took a threeyear sabbatical from politics to pursue various community development projects focused on sports development and education.

She addressed the ANC and said that the years she had spent as an ANC member and councillor had contributed to her becoming the leader she is today. She thanked the ANC for the opportunity and thanked the DA, whom she now represents, for their faith in her.

Former Knysna mayor Georlene Wolmarans was elected as Speaker, and DA Ward 10 councillor Peter Myers was elected deputy mayor.

According to a press statement by Knysna Municipality, the DA will now implement their manifesto in governing Knysna on the following five pillars: the opportunity town, the safe town, the caring town, the inclusive town, and the

well-run town.

Municipal ward councillors are: Levael Davis (DA Ward 1), Cathy Weideman (DA Ward 2), Mncendisi Skosana (ANC Ward 3), Velile Waxa (Independent Ward 4), Eleanore BouwSpies (DA Ward 5), Elrick van Aswegen (Cope Ward 6), Mandla Matiwani (ANC Ward 7), Victor Molosi (ANC Ward 8), Mark Willemse (DA Ward 9), Peter Myers (DA Ward 10), and Donovan Pofadder (DA Ward 11).

Proportional representation (PR) councillors are: Georlene Wolmarans (DA), Luzuko Tyokolo (DA), Martin Young (DA), Sbusisu Kwinina (DA), Ndoda Aubrey Tsengwa (ANC), Titi Elizabeth Gombo (ANC), Claudine Denise Croutz (ANC), Millicent Ntombise Naki (ANC), Shakespeare Arends (ACDP), and Welcome Salaze (KUC).

The mayoral committee consists of Myers, Waxa, Levael Davis, and Cathy Weideman.

The sub-committees chairpersons are: Finance, Governance and Economic Development - Peter Myers, Planning and Integrated Human Settlements - Velile Waxa, Technical Services - Levael Davis, and Community Services Cathy Weideman.

JUBILATION: Supporters of Bitou’s new leadership show their joy over the recent election results

From page 3 with the recording of the votes, especially with spoilt votes recorded.

Spoilt votes recorded by the party’s agent in one of the ward’s voting districts, as well as those recorded by other party agents, vastly differ from those recorded by the counting officer.

Several other issues were also highlighted in the correspondence between the DA’s legal representatives and the IEC. While the DA acknowledged that the objection fell outside the 48-hour period allowed for disputes after elections, its legal representatives believed there was good cause for it to be condoned.

In the meantime, council

NE biography on the life of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela reveals that he had always hoped to achieve change, not through violence but through ‘legal revolution’ (Lodge 2006).

Well, as it turns out this may be his hidden legacy, his greatest gift, to us all.

With his strong background in law, he inspired and led a legal revolution that resulted in South Africa now having the most evolutionary legislation in the world with which to affect transformation.

The dilemma is that the transformation envisaged in this legislation is just not happening. In fact, a review of our new law has been commissioned by parliament to investigate the exact cause of transformation failure.

There is, however, a simple explanation for the cause. Centralised power and money are at the top, so everyone is looking upwards for solutions and relief. This is quite irrational because the problems us ordinary citizens

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TWO HEADS: Deputy mayor Peter Myers accepts his new position and offers a word of congratulations and support to Knysna mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies

to its rightful owners”.

Before the DA and COPE coalition, the area had always been an ANC-run municipality.

Both new leaders were celebrated by members of the public who packed the council chambers during the meeting. These celebrations continued outside the building after the meeting with singing and dancing by supporters of both parties.

When it came to electing councillors to represent Bitou on Eden District Council, Wildeman suggested that because the council consisted of two major parties, the DA and the ANC, one representative from each party be selected. This was accepted.

Garden Route Media

Madiba’s hidden legacy now as pertinent as ever Ian Dewar

KNYSNA PILLARS: The newly appointed Knysna Council after their inaugural meeting on Monday

matters continue. During the Friday morning meeting, Lobese thanked the ANC for “putting its trust” in him and added he believed that the two parties would end the five-year term as “a married couple”.

During his acceptance speech, Lobese said the council “did not belong to political parties, but to the people of Bitou”, pledging that he would fight for a better future for all locals.

He added that during his term he would focus on job creation, stimulating the tourism industry, working closer with local business and housing, and integrating Bitou’s communities.

Wildeman, however, thanked those responsible for “bringing back Bitou

face are all right here at the bottom where we, ‘The Democracy’, actually live.

In its Sections 152 and 156, our Constitution does clearly sanction the ‘devolution’ or decentralisation of powers to local government, but it is very thin on details about how it’s supposed to work.

However, this lack of detail is resolved in the Municipal Systems Act (MSA) where a completely new system of ‘complimentary’ government practice is formulated, and terms like ‘govern on its own initiative’ and ‘fix problems with local government’ abound (‘must’ also features prominently).

The purview to the MSA also states that the overall vision for devolution is “…to progressively build local government into an efficient, frontline development agency capable of integrating the activities of all spheres of government for the overall social and economic upliftment of communities in harmony with their local natural environment”.

Herein may be a ‘bottom-up’ legislated ap-

proach to resolving local problems, but what in particular makes it so pertinent now?

At the time of the negotiated settlement in 1993, South Africa was on the verge of a civil war and our economy was tanking very badly. These immense threats pressured us into legislative progress.

Now, 23 years on, we are suffering endemic local protests and the economy is yet again tanking badly and heading fast towards an imminent ‘downgrade’ catastrophe. So yet again we are being pressured into making progress.

This time, though, we need ‘bottom-up’ economic progress.

The salient question is, therefore: will our newlyelected local councils be able to find the solidarity of legislated purpose required to become our efficient, frontline, champions-of-change?

• Ian Dewar is a researcher, innovator and technologist turned avid transformation activist through his experience with the RDP Forum of Greater Plettenberg Bay.

NEWS & VIEWS

17 August 2016

UK tourists saved from drowning by two Plett surfers out for a ride handful of serendipitous coincidences and a timeous chain of events combined to avert sure tragedy last Thursday afternoon, close to the spot where rivermouth meets Lookout Beach surf.

Longtime Plett local Andy Fermor and his old friend Jock Kannemeyer had just returned from a 300km bike ride on mountain tracks, and the day’s splendour demanded a frosty with a view. Andy suggested Keurbooms but Jock said Lookout Deck, and the latter option won.

It was coming up to 3:45 when their bikes rolled down the hill - which is when Andy first noticed three swimmers rather deep out in the surf.

By the time they had arrived at The Deck, there was no doubt that the threesome were caught in a rip. But both bikers were still clad in heavy riding gear, so the owner of a Cape Town car with

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LOCAL HEROES: Andy Fermor, left, and Jock Kannemeyer kept the three family members afloat before Plett NSRI responded to the scene

boards on its roof was approached to see if his equipment could be used to check on the trio.

“This guy, Justin, said he’d had a few beers but we were welcome to use his boards, so while he went off to fetch them, Jock and I stripped down to our jocks,” chuckles Andy, adding that the volunteer crew of NSRI Station 14 was alerted to the situation around this time.

By the time they reached

the surf, the furthest swimmers [they would later find out it was a father, 52, and daughter, 15, from Newcastle Upon Tyne in the United Kingdom] had already been pulled out about 80m by the rip, and Jock went after them.

Andy went to the aid of the third swimmer, the UK couple’s 18-yearold son, and while they couldn’t reach the beach because of the rip current, the bikers used their

loaned surfboards for floatation and tried to keep the casualties calm behind the breaker line.

In a matter of minutes, Plett NSRI arrived at the scene with two craft manned by rescue swimmers and crew, who saw to it that everyone reached the shore safely, and that the three casualties were reunited with the anxious mother who saw the drama unfold from the beach.

Said Plett’s deputy station commander Marc Rodgers in a subsequent report: “The father showed signs of exhaustion and near drowning and was treated at hospital for secondary drowning symptoms; the two teenagers were not injured but were taken to hospital with their dad as a precaution.”

He commended the “two local surfers” who assisted for their efforts. A video and additional photos are posted at www.nsri.org.za on the Flickr page.

DOWN THE HATCH: Depending on the tides, rip currents in the vicinity of the river mouth could sweep bathers to 100m behind the breakers in a matter of minutes - Plett NSRI responded with two rescue craft - Photos: stuartbrinkfilms.com

CXPRESS

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Stark reality of our rips HEN CXPRESS chatted to Andy Fermor, 54, on Friday, we had to rip him off over the flattering fact that the national NSRI report about the rescue referred to him and Jock, 51, as “…aged in their 40s”. But that’s where the jokes dried up.

Owner of Hog Hollow Country Lodge along with wife Debbie, Andy has been operational in the tourism industry for decades, and remembers clearly the horror when an Irish couple, newlywed and having arrived in Plett that same day, drowned after being caught in a rip off Robberg Beach last October.

“I had nightmares all Thursday night about what could have happened if those guys [the English family] were in there for another three minutes. The mother was sitting in front of the Lookout Beach lifeguard station and albeit

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40+14: Andy Fermor

deserted, they must have thought that this was a safe place to swim.

“People don’t seem to understand that our tourist season now starts in August and carries through ‘till Easter. So a big point now is that Plett needs permanent lifesavers in key positions throughout an extended tourist season.”

Andy said he had already discussed the funding of such a permanent force with tourism and business operators and we hope that, with cooperation of the new Bitou council, such a plan will see the light before another drowning tragedy is allowed to take place.

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

17 August 2016

Young Mr Lederle’s plan gives Montessori fundraiser wings COME FLY WITH ME: Nash invites everyone who dreams of flying high to enter the competition he initiated recently

ASH Lederle is a sharp Grade 2 student at Knysna Montessori, and when recently watching the Australian movie Paper Planes, the switched-on eight-year-old hatched a plan with lots of potential for his school’s fundraising efforts.

The flick tells the story of a boy’s passion and determination for flying, and his difficult journey to get to the World Paper Plane Championships held in Japan.

Nash was particularly keen on sharing this message of perseverance and the flick’s tagline - “if at first you don’t succeed, fly, fly again” - with others. The experience also inspired him to host his own paper planes competition, with the help of peers.

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When the school, mom Vicci Deverneuil, and friends joined forces, dates were set for both the movie screening and the competition, during the first two weekends of September respectively.

“The movie evening will take place at Knysna Montessori School on Friday September 2 from 4:30pm onwards,” says Vicci, adding that entrance is free and a movie snack combo will be on sale.

“This movie is for all ages and those parents who do not want to join can visit the Friday Night Market on the school grounds.”

A week later on Friday the 9th, also from 4:30pm, the paper plane contest will take place. There are different age

categories and due to the interest already shown, adults are welcome to enter, too.

Different stations will include longest distance, longest flying time, closest to the target and best design. A4 paper will be provided and two minutes’ folding time allocated each entrant.

Duran de Villiers from the award-winning Knysna company Steadidrone will be judging the best design and flight pattern, while his team will also demonstrate flying of some of their awesome home-grown drones.

Visit www.knysnamontes sori.co.za to see a video clip of innovative young Nash inviting entries to the competition, or call Vicci on 082 468 6494 for additional information.

BUSINESS

17 August 2016

Weak currency and drought send South African food prices rising

The drought and rapid depreciation of the rand have led to a rise in food prices, hitting poorest South Africans the hardest - this according Western Cape minister of Economic Opportunities Alan Winde’s opening address on August 12, delivered at the launch of the latest annual baseline produced by the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) OW in its 12th year, the BFAP baseline offers insight into key trends in areas including production, consumption, trade, food prices and jobs in the agriculture sector. The research provides medium and long-term projections for various industries in the South African agriculture sector.

Researchers from the Universities of Pretoria and Stellenbosch, as well as the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, collaborate to produce the report.

Titled ‘Putting Plans into Action: Agriculture and Economic Growth’, the report provides an economic outlook for crops, animal and horticultural products.

It details the jobs performance of the agriculture sector highlighting the biggest challenges to growth.

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Minister Winde said the report reveals the extent to which the recent drought had impacted the sector.

“In 2015, there was a 15% drop in production here [Western Cape] and in Limpopo due to the drought. In terms of livestock, there has been a 15% reduction in the national herd. There’s been increased slaughtering during the drought and this will continue to impact production for the next three to four years.”

The report puts forward that since 2003, there has not been a supply shock comparable to the drought of the 2015/16 planting season, when combined with the rapid depreciation of the exchange rate.

The report speculates that the rand remains the “greatest risk” to inflation. Key insights on consumers include:

• The cost of a basic food basket, including staples such as rice and brown bread, was R3,503 in April this year, which is unaffordable to the poorest 40% - 50% of the population; • This monthly cost of a basic food basket rose by 23.8% between April 2015 and April 2016; • Credit applications increased by 98% since 2009; and • Food inflation is estimated to average 10.75% in the first three quarters of 2017.

Minister Winde said the report also found that the agriculture sector remains one of our most significant employers; 50,000 jobs have been created in the national agriculture sector since 2011.

Growth was being threatened by red tape and a low success rate for land reform projects across the country.

“The BFAP is an excellent tool to assist in identifying priorities to grow the agriculture sector. Trends show that the Western Cape is on the right track in terms of addressing these, having selected the reduction of red tape and accelerating the pace of land reform as focus areas.”

Climate change was identified as a concern for the African agriculture sector.

“Last year, South Africa experienced its lowest rainfall since 1904, while Ethiopia recorded its lowest rainfall in 30 years. These trends underscore the need for a coordinated response to changing weather patterns, which is why we have partnered with the private sector to develop the Smart Agri plan.”

Email editor@cxpress. co.za to request a copy of the full BFAP report.

SARS and your small business

DANG TAXMAN! Complying with tax regulations can be daunting, so understanding that you are not alone when facing these challenges is a huge comfort - Photo: Pixabay

ERHAPS one of the biggest challenges faced

by South African small businesses is understanding and dealing with SARS. The key, regardless of what type of business you are running, is knowledge - knowledge of SARS practices and requirements, as well as the belief that SARS wants small businesses to succeed.

Communication is the other important key. Talk to them and they will work with you to keep your business going.

SMEasy CEO Darlene Menzies and Kantha Naicker, Managing Director of Evolve Accounting, are experts in dealing with SARS as small business owners.

Many entrepreneurs believe that SARS is the bogeyman and they also tend to feel as if they are the only business facing challenges

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with them. It’s this thinking that breeds a secrecy mentality and hinders transparent and open communication with SARS when you find yourself in difficulty.

Although complying with tax regulations and legislature can be daunting, understanding that you are not the first or last company to deal with these challenges is a huge comfort.

Using VAT or PAYE as cash flow The best advice to small business owners is never to use your VAT and PAYE money as part of your cash flow: this is a reckless way of running your business.

Many entrepreneurs do end up using VAT and PAYE money to cover staff costs and crucial month-end expenses. Heavy penalties and interest are imposed on late submission of returns,

as well as late payments.

Interest on VAT is levied at a prescribed monthly rate of 10.5 % on all amounts due, while the penalty is levied at a prescribed rate of 10%. The same applies to PAYE and UIF, but interest of 10.5% is levied on a daily basis and the penalty is set at 10%.

When dealing with late payments, SARS can also impose an additional penalty not exceeding twice the total of the outstanding amount on your business for failing to pay the relevant amount with the intent to evade your obligation.

These penalties are very onerous and can easily sink a business. The bottom line is: never use SARS money to survive; it is a dangerous business strategy.

Visit www.cxpress.co.za to read the full report.

CXPRESS

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CXPRESS

INTERVAL

17 August 2016

The last words George ever wrote…

T is important for men to remember that, as women grow older, it becomes more difficult for them to maintain the same standard of housekeeping as when they were younger.

When you notice this, try not to shout at them.

Some women are oversensitive, and there’s nothing worse than an oversensitive woman.

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My name is George. Let me relate how I handled the situation with my oversensitive wife, Mildred.

When I took early retirement last year, it became necessary for Mildred to take on an extra job to generate the extra income we need.

Shortly after she started the new job I began to notice how she was showing her age.

How was I born? boy was assigned a paper on childbirth and asked his parents: “How was I born?”

“Well, Honey... ” said the boy’s mom, “the stork brought you to us.”

“Oh,” said the boy.

“Well, how did you and daddy get born?”

“Oh, the stork brought us too,” said the dad.

“Well, how were grandpa and grandma born?” he persisted.

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“Well,” said the mom, by now starting to squirm a little, “the stork brought them too!”

Several days later, the boy handed in his paper to the teacher who read with confusion the opening sentence: “This report has been very difficult to write because there hasn’t been a natural childbirth in my family for three generations.”

I now get home from the pub about the same time she gets home from work.

Although she knows how hungry I am, she always says she needs to rest for half an hour before making dinner.

I don’t shout at her, I just tell her to take her time and wake me up when dinner is on the table.

I generally have lunch at the pub, so eating out again is unacceptable; I’m ready for home cooking when I get in.

She used to do the dishes when we finished eating, but now she leaves them lying around for several hours.

I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her every few minutes that they won’t clean themselves. I know she appreciates this as she usually washes them be-

fore bedtime.

Another symptom of ageing is complaining. For example she complains that she has not enough time in her lunch hour to do all the shopping.

I smile, and suggest that she spreads the shopping over two or three days, and that it wouldn’t do her any harm to skip lunch completely once in a while.

Tact is one of my strong points.

I know I look like a saint in the way I support Mildred. Showing this much consideration is not easy.

Many men will find it difficult - some will find it impossible.

However, if you show a little more tact and diplomacy towards your ageing wife as a result of reading this, I will consider writing it was well worthwhile.

Throwing peanuts HREE men appear in court, on charges of drunk and disorderly conduct in a public park.

“What were you doing?” the judge asks the first defendant.

“Oh, just throwing peanuts in the pond.”

The judge asks the sec-

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ond gentleman: “And what were you doing?”

“I was throwing peanuts in the pond, too.”

“Sounds harmless,” says the judge. He turns to the third person: “And you?

Were you throwing peanuts in the pond as well?”

“No, Sir. I am Peanuts.”

Money isn’t everything, but it sure keeps the kids in touch

“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!” - Dr Seuss

SOCIAL SCENE

17 August 2016

CXPRESS

WHAT’S IN A NAME? These clever kids from Knysna and Plett Primary Schools kindly lent their voice talents to produce a brand new radio advert for CXPRESS, to be broadcast on MC90.3fm from today onwards. Freelance writer and drama teacher extraordinaire Candice Ludick kindly voice-coached while also playing the role of ‘Teacher’, asking her charges about the Garden Route’s best-loved newspaper.

And if you marvel at the number of times our name is meticulously repeated in the radio spot, well… we simply wanted to make doubly sure that after 18+ years of providing top infotainment, there’s not a soul left on the Route referring to their favourite read as ‘CX-Express’! We thank Gordon and Floyd of MCfm for their efforts to get us on air, as it were.

Pictured counter-clockwise from back at left in front of Plett’s MCfm studio are Ella van Huyssteen, Leo Oosthuizen, Kelsey Butterworth, Shiraly van Tonder, Nicole van Strijp, Sky Reynders, and Nova Hager.

People, places & events

WOMEN CELEBRATED IN SEDGE: Knysna police commemorated Women’s Day in conjunction with the Knysna Community Police Forum (CPF) and Sedgefield Community Police Sub-forum on Tuesday August 9. In honour of its 60th anniversary, this year’s Women’s Day event was held at Sedgefield Community Hall, where a group of ladies were treated to high tea.

They were entertained by a local artist while being served refreshments by members of the police and CPF volunteers. Members of the Knysna police and FCS unit provided valuable information on sexual offences and safety awareness in general. This session formed part of the Block Rape initiative launched earlier this year to sensitise local residents about sexual offences, its prevalence in certain communities, and preventative measures. The Knysna SAPS management commended all female police officials for their commitment and dedication towards their work. Pictured at left at back are Sedgefield Sector Commander sergeant Sonja Stander, Knysna CPF chairperson Cheryl Britz and Jolene Saptou, with Mary Jacobs, Dina Coetzee, Sophia Grootboom, Anna Fredericks, Maria Jacobs and Maria Innes in front.

MUDDY BUT MEMORABLE: The three-day Glacier Storms River Traverse wrapped up with a final beautifully scenic stage through the Tsitsikamma Forest on Monday August 8. The race victory was secured by Etnard Louw and Hanco Kachelhoffer of Team NFB Altech Autopage but their elation was shared by every rider in the field, as is clear on the faces of Danie and Erdine du Toit, pictured above. Louw and Kachelhoffer rode to an assured stage victory to claim the general classification victory, despite Louw crashing spectacularly on a muddy descent. The leading mixed team remained Yolande de Villiers and Neill Ungerer, who capped a fine weekend - during which they proved to be the most festive of the riders competing for overall victory - with another stage victory. The women’s team category saw Wendy Brand and Tania Hanekom claim stage and general classification victory. As the riders crossed the finish line and enjoyed a final scrumptious lunch, the conversation around the lunch tables soon turned to the 2017 Glacier Storms River Traverse. And though entries aren’t open, yet many an accommodation booking was made for next year’s race. For riders who enjoy the socialising after each stage as much as they do the actual riding, the Glacier Storms River Traverse truly is a must-do event. - Photo: Oakpics.com

THALASSA DUO WOOS THE BAY: The Thalassa Duo of Anneke Lamont (organ) and Adri Smithers (violin) gave a recital at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church on the evening of August 14, in aid of Hospice Plett and the 10 soup kitchens run by the Anglican churches of the Parish of Formosa. An audience of 160 people filled the nave and choir-stalls of and enjoyed listening to Anneke and Adri play music by Gordon Young, Johann Sebastian Bach, Robert Schumann, Franz Schubert, Béla Bartók, Johannes Brahms, Felix Mendelsshon and Rolf Lovland; Jill Kirkland provided narrative and background. The lovely ambiance of Saint Peter’s added warmth to an evening of delightful music that made for a perfect ending to a Sunday. The recital was arranged

by Annabelle Conyngham, together with members of staff of The Parish of Formosa.

At right above, Annabelle, second from right, and Jill are flanked by Adri and Anneke, at right. Above from left, Don and Lynn Searle along with Otto Pletzer enjoy the evening’s special ambience. - Timothy Twidle

Paws

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Plett Animal Welfare Service

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CXPRESS

17 August 2016

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

17 August 2016

Letters to the Editor

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

CXPRESS

11

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

This furniture business uncle truly delivers We recently needed headboards for a pair of single beds and were disappointed by the limited choice and the high prices. On my wife’s suggestion, we stopped at Bennie’s Furniture & Design which has its sales operation in a shipping container on Beacon Way.

What a stroke of luck that turned out to be.

Bennie made two headboards as per our requirements at a very fair price and met his promised delivery date - something not as common in Plett as one would hope.

In discussion with him, we discovered that his

From swamp to sparkling spa in one week

MIRACULOUS TRANSFORMATION: The pics from top left show the progress from mud pool on Tuesday to remedial treatment on Wednesday to palatable on Thursday to sparkling beauty by the next Monday!

I’m writing to give a HUGE shout out to Arlene’s Pool Services.

Recently we had no other choice but to fill our swimming pool with water from our dam… with disastrous results.

(In Arlene’s words, “the worst pool I’ve seen in 17 years of business”!)

I had called on Arlene’s Pool Service in desperation for advice.

On the very same day, Bernadine and her team of Robbie and Mthunzi arrived, followed a few days later

by Arlene, Avril, and the doggies.

Between them, they turned our swamp into a crystal clear blue spa within seven days!

The service I received went far beyond excellent, with nothing being too much trouble for these experts. It’s wonderful people and this level of service, that make our beautiful Plett the place to live.

Many thanks and may your business go from strength to strength.

Colleen de Jager, Plett

workshop is in fact his garage at his house in KwaNokuthula and we learned that he employs several staff.

Hats off to him for his efforts, as we all know that running a small business in our less than buoyant economy is extremely challenging.

If anyone is in the mar-

ket for furniture and would like to deal with a real gentleman who prices his wares realistically and meets his deadlines, we strongly recommend that Ben Dili be given an opportunity to quote.

His phone number is 073 814 9650.

Steve & Trish Crutchley, Plett

sunglass boutique que

Women need celebrating daily August 9 was Women’s Day - and often the question is asked: “Why?” According to Wikipedia, International Women’s Day (IWD), also called International Working Women’s Day, is celebrated on March 8 every year around the globe.

In SA, our August 9 celebrations range from a general show of respect, appreciation and love towards women, to a celebration of women’s economic, political, and social achievements.

The argument can be raised that this proves equality for women has not been accomplished on an international level.

In South Africa, there has been a strong and distinctive movement towards achieving this although it is still being hindered, in some cases, by prejudice and culture.

Statistics still show a high rate of intimate partner violence and rape.

Famsa has several projects that aim at providing members in Knysna and Plett with the knowledge and skills to better deal with their circumstances.

One of these projects is our Women of Worth (WOW) Programme.

Often the focus is on the negative issues, such as domestic violence and abuse. However, there are many positives as well and women must celebrate who they are, their strengths and achievements, on a daily basis.

There have been exciting developments in the past year. Famsa continues to present workshops to women on a variety of subjects, but we also encourage women to identify resources available to them, develop projects around that, and so better their circumstances.

Famsa encourages women in Knysna and Plett to come forward to do these workshops, as united and resilient women create united families and communities!

In addition to these services to women, we have MEN and Parenting programmes. We explore non-violent options to discipline and explore traditional gender roles and are reminded to treat all people with dignity.

Please contact us should you want to become involved in these programmes or want to receive counselling, on 044 382 5129 in Knysna or 044 533 0515 in Plettenberg Bay. Daniella Botes obo Famsa, Plett (Also take note of the next Parenting Workshop presented by Famsa Knysna and featuring acclaimed child psychologist Carol Surya - www.carolsurya. com - on August 23-25 from 8:30am to 1:30pm at R450 per delegate 50% discount for NGOs and FBOs - at The Rock Church, c/o Main and Queen Streets. Call Famsa Knysna to book. - Eds.)

THE SOUP KITCHEN & AYETHU EDUCARE CENTRE

Drop off point at Sotheby’s, 25 Main Street, Summer Hill, Plett

In need of dry/canned food, new/used clothing & stationery for the centre...Please give generously.

La Luna

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CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

17 August 2016

B-Bay Classic rules Buffalo waves over Women’s A Day weekend trio of legends on the local surfing scene got together earlier this year to plot a contest in Buffalo Bay that would make the most of the long weekend preceding Women’s Day on August 9, while raising funds for two essential charitable organisations.

And so the B-Bay Classic concept was born and word swiftly spread that no self-respecting surfer, be they aged six or 60, could afford to miss this quirky contest catering for everyone from Groms (13 years and younger) to Ballies (figure it out…) and the riders of retro boards and SUPs (Stand Up Paddle, silly) as well as loggers.

Clayton Bischoff - cofounder along with Nicky Goodall and Brian Salter - explains ‘logging’ to the uninitiated: “These surfers use single-fin old-school longboards, typically over 9'6" and ridden as far back as the 60s - sometimes not even using a leash or leg rope, so we’re talking real classic style.”

He adds that this means judging is then also based on style and not only on performance.

“The retro short boards were also a jog down memory lane, as competitors had to draw a number out of a hat to select which 60s or 70s style short board they would use in their heat.

“The idea behind the event was participation,

YOUNG ‘N SURFIN’: These Groms competed at the recent B-Bay Classic and as is obvious from their wide variety of happy expressions, had a blast and a half inside the water and out - Photo: Julie Ann Photography

so rather than the usual elimination format norm, all competitors got to surf against each other over three rounds before the various finals were decided based on points accumulated.”

He says that the use of retro boards picked at random helped levelling the playing field on a heat-to-heat basis, while still ensuring that the better surfers made it to the finals.

“The Grom division is where the most excitement was, and the next generation of surfers were gently exposed to the competitive side of the sport - and were very well rewarded, thanks to the incredible generosity of Liesel and Andrew from Crush Surf.”

Surf mom Gaye Boshoff concurs: “It was like Christmas all over

again for our kids thanks to the amazing prizes donated by the Fosbrooks from Crush, so a huge shout out from all of us to organisers Clayton, Nicky and Brian, along with Tash Wilbert for making it all happen.”

Clayton concludes that the B-Bay Classic will be an annual event and that all involved are looking forward to growing it into a memorable one on the local surfing calendar.

The fun started with a meet and greet and registration on the Friday evening, and the surfing action on Saturday August 6 was followed by live music and a jam session, which of course turned into a huge jorl.

Sunday’s water sports concluded with a late afternoon prize-giving at Buffalo Bay restaurant, which also supported the

mission of raising funds for Hospice and Knysna Education Trust (KET).

Says Nicky, who also happens to serve as KET director: “Yes, it was a fun surf weekend enjoyed by participants, family and friends, but we felt as strongly about raising money for our charities.”

Whereas the good work of Hospice is widely known, it’s worth reminding readers that KET furthers teaching, learning and development for young children in Knysna as well as Plettenberg Bay. “The Trust currently supports 3,000 children in 53 preschools through teacher training and essential learning programmes, with a strong focus on improving literacy, numeracy and life skills development,” explains Nicky.

Email her on nixgood all@gmail.com or visit www.knysnaedutrust. co.za to find out more, and call Ashleigh on 044 384 0593 for further details on Knysna Sedgefield Hospice.

Readers can visit www. facebook.com/julieannphotographyknysna/ for reams of beautiful photos by Julie Anne Hoffman, who said that since the B-B Classic was a charity event, “I did this one for love” - another declaration of the good vibes emanating from this Garden Route surf comp calendar’s excellent new addition.

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