Photo: Dr Ken Findlay
17 February 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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What’s in the water at Kaaimans? p3
Crags community wants justice p4
Saying adieu to Dennis Grove p12
Save our dugongs Dugongs are some of Africa’s most endangered large mammals, classified as sirenia - an order of fully aquatic, herbivorous mammals that inhabit swamps, rivers, estuaries, marine wetlands, and coastal waters - and this smiley dugong face was captured at Sydney Aquarium. Read more about the recent meeting of Dr Vic Cockcroft and his team of dugong protectors in Plett on page 5.
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CXPRESS
NEWS & VIEWS
17 February 2016
Driving Miss Crazy
A kaleidoscope of accents, colours and currencies makes for interesting assignments twixt Mother City and PE JEEVES shares memories of his adventures as Garden Route chauffeur extraordinaire... VEN a person with dark glasses and a guide dog would have noticed the country was hit by a tsunami of tourists this season... Wherever you went whether to a restaurant on the Garden Route, or the waterfronts at the V&A in Cape Town, or Hout Bay,
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or Knysna - you could not miss the foreign tongues: German, Italian, Scandinavian, Hollands, Japanese, Gujarat, Spanish, and a little Portuguese. But mainly it was a cackle of English accents, aided and abetted by the cricketing Barmy Army and their cohorts with egg and
bacon ties (who think the done thing is not to remove your Panama - or pith-pot hat - inside the WPCC clubhouse at Newlands). There were 10,000 of them there over the five-day test! Propping up the bar at Castle Corner with a fellow Charles Glass fan, there was an enormous roar from the crowd outside. “We’ve got a wicket!” shouted my mate. But looking up at the bigscreen picture on the TV, it read ‘200 partnership… CONGRATULATIONS!’ I yelled: “You’d think we were at Lords, not Newlands!” to much bursts of laughter from despondent Protea supporters. But I’m not complaining at all - great for the influx of forex, the economy, and employment. What with the value of the Rand, all sorts were descending into the country. The currency comparisons overheard in eateries, shops and markets went something like this: “That would only cost a pound back ‘ome!” or, “It’s only three Euros!” or, “Vone oyster in Zurich cost same as eight in zis country!” And then there is the way they try to strike a bargain with the less fortunate curio vendors, who are punching calculators to convert the Rand value back into Euros and Sterling. Don’t know why they don’t just price their product in the common foreign currencies like Euro, Pound, US Dollar and so forth. As you’ve gathered, I was well exposed to these environs, taking into account the numerous trips I undertook over the past three months with various people, some wanting to go to Newlands, or St George’s Park in PE to watch us getting hammered by the impressive English
cricket side. There was a trip to Cape Town for a back op, another sight-seeing around the Cape Peninsular with a couple from Germany, another with an elderly duo
to their family in Durbanville for Christmas... Indeed, we have been transformed from the ‘Rainbow’ into the ‘Kaleidoscope Nation’. ‘Till next time: Keep right
and pass left (for the benefit of local motorists bamboozled by the antics of fellow car-hire drivers) and buckle up! - Jeeves
TRAVEL SHOTS: Bikers from all over toured South Africa on hired Harleys, and about 80% of visitors to Brenton, at right, were in hired cars
OPEN RIDE: Dozens of open-top buses traversed Cape Town and surrounds
ZA ART: Tourists at the market in Hout Bay this influx started in October already
HARBOUR CHARM: The Hout Bay bus parking, at right, was brimming every day, mainly for curios and trips to Seal Island - plans are afoot to change the entire harbour here into a waterfront shopping mall, thus getting rid of unused fishing boats at berth, African curio stores, etc. which means its entire charm and appeal will disappear
NEWS & VIEWS
17 February 2016
CXPRESS
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Kaaimans closed briefly after septic shock death but no results yet from Eden More than a week after an elderly Wilderness man died after he contracted a deadly bacterium, authorities have still not confirmed how he came in contact with it - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports to feed off” and therefore in most cases it occurred where poorly treated sewage ended up in the water. She added that the mortality rate, when a severe infection set in, was very high at around 25%, which increased exponentially if the patient did not receive the necessary treatment as
SAFE NOW? Kaaimans River was only closed briefly for water activities from Wednesday to Thursday - Photo: Ewald Stander
AMILY of 81-year-old Frans Heunis believe he contracted the bacterial infection while swimming in the Kaaimans River on February 1. Heunis died of massive organ failure following an infection caused by the bacterium called Vibrio vulnificus - a dangerous marine pathogen found in warm coastal waters worldwide. The bacteria are of the same genus as those that cause cholera. While the culprit for his death was confirmed by doctors, Eden District Municipality collected water samples for testing to establish how Heunis came into contact with it. The bacteria can cause disease if contaminated seafood is consumed or if the victim had an open wound and was exposed to seawater containing the bacteria. By the time of going to print, the municipality had not yet received the test results. “We will release a statement as soon as we know more,” said Strategic Services manager Melanie Wilson.
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In the meantime, the situation was being dealt with in a similar manner as authorities would a red tide. Residents and visitors have been urged not to swim in the river with open wounds and not to eat shellfish collected in the area. The river was only closed briefly for water activities between last Wednesday and Thursday. But the victim’s wife, Corlia, 79, said she did not need tests to confirm where her husband contracted the bacteria. She said he went swimming in the Kaaimans River on February 1 and injured his shin. The next morning the wound was infected and a day later he was in hospital fighting for his life. He had not consumed any seafood before his death. Heunis died on Friday February 5 after spending hours in agony in a hospital bed. “Doctors informed us that he had gone into septic shock and had massive organ failure due to the Vibrio vulnificus bacterial infection,” Corlia said. In a statement the munici-
pality said the bacterium had no association with sewage contamination and transmission was mostly through eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters, harvested from warm waters. The statement further read that infections may also occur when open wounds were exposed to warm estuaries. “Persons with underlying medical conditions, any chronic condition especially liver disease and diabetes, may be at increased risk of serious infection. Infections are seasonal and 85% occur in the summer months. “Transient environmental factors such as warm water and moderate salinity can increase the number of Vibrio vulnificus in shellfish. Infection may occur in a pre-existing wound and cause soft tissue infection with severe pain or cause diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain,” the statement read. Senior lecturer at Stellenbosch University’s faculty of medicine and health sciences Joe Barnes however said the bacteria needed “something
soon as possible. Experts believe patients should be treated within 48 hours. Spokesman for the Western Cape Health Department’s Eden and Central Karoo District Nadia Ferreira said there were various ways of reducing the risk of infection. “Avoid contact with raw
seafood juices, using separate cutting boards and knives for seafood and nonseafood and wearing gloves when handling shellfish. Also avoid eating raw oysters or seafood,” she said. She added that people with open wounds should not enter seawater, especially if temperatures were higher than 20 degrees C. “Wash any wound that is exposed to seawater with soap and clean water. Seek medical care immediately for any wound that appears infected.”
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CXPRESS
NEWS & VIEWS
17 February 2016
Tourist safety at stake if fishing rights not granted In a desperate attempt to reclaim fishing rights in the Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area (MPA), community anglers are threatening the safety of tourists visiting the national park - MELISSA REITZ reports OMMUNITY fishermen have been pressurising the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) to reinstate their fishing rights since the Tsitsikamma MPA was declared a no-take zone in 2000, and are becoming impatient, resorting to “threats and protests”. Anglers say fishing in the reserve is their historical right and a failure to
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get those rights will pose a threat to tourists in the area. “The communities were never consulted in 2000 when they took away our rights to the sea and our people are angry and will fight for their constitutional rights,” says Tsitsikamma Angling Forum member Henrico Bruiners. “If they do not get access to the sea they cannot guarantee the safety
of tourists, especially those walking the Otter Trail.” This statement is not received lightly by SANParks, who say they have been working closely with the communities to meet their demands. “We are surprised by these statements as we are committed to working with the Angling Forum and the involved municipalities,” says SANParks commu-
nications manager Nandi Mgwadlamba. “We can also confirm that we have security, rangers and monitors constantly working together to ensure visitor safety in the park.” The DEA announced a proposal in November to open the no-take zone and gazetted draft regulations to allow registered members from communities between Covie and Blou-
krans, including communities within Koukamma Municipality, to apply for recreational fishing permits. A four-week experimental phase was approved by the DEA in December, but was legally halted by a group of conservationists on the grounds that the department had failed to wait for public comment. Scientists say that fishing in the MPA will have last-
ing detrimental effects on the reserve’s fish population, which is considered a crucial seeding ground for SA’s fisheries. With 500 fishermen registering at SANParks during the experimental phase, each permitted to fish four days a month and limited to 10 fish per day, an estimated 20,000 fish could be pulled out of the water every month.
Comprehensive security system at Plett Primary fast-tracked to keep tion with the office. impossible for the police to “That is why it is imperaunwanted visitors at bay Security gates to all legally arrest those behaving tive that the community LETTENBERG Bay Primary School on Monday issued a letter to all parents after various rumours doing the rounds in town regarding incidences said to be threatening the safety of students. According to School Governing Body (SGB) chairman Roberto Boni, unwanted vehicles were witnessed on school premises four times over the past five months. “Each time the swift action of teachers and pupils alike resulted in these perpetrators being approached. On three occasions, unfortunately, they took off without being identified, nor was it possible to obtain their vehicle registration numbers,” said Boni. But last Wednesday, a BMW with tinted windows entered the school grounds and drove around to the Grade R, 1 and 2 playgrounds.
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“Fortunately, our new CCTV system managed to capture very clear images of them. The perpetrators were apprehended and brought to the office where they were questioned by the principal and SGB vice-chair.” The unwelcome visitors had no choice but to reveal their identities - information that was immediately communicated to the police, along with their vehicle registration number. The Department of Education, Safe Schools and all other Bitou and Knysna schools were also immediately informed. Measures put in place straight afterwards, and after lengthy discussions with staff and SGB members, included posting more teachers on duty during break times and before school. Boni said that, after the first incident last year, the SGB started planning in-
stallation of a comprehensive CCTV system throughout the school, which includes the perimeter fence, immediate surrounds of the buildings, passageways, offices and classrooms. “The installation, which is being done in phases, commenced earlier this year and we have already seen the benefits when capturing images of last week’s perpetrators. By end March all buildings, internally and externally, will be covered by the CCTV system. “The perimeter will be done as a final phase once the perimeter fence has been installed,” said Boni, adding that the internal fence (enclosing the school buildings to outsiders) is currently being finalised, leaving a pedestrian gate as only access. A motorised gate controls entrance to the staff parking area, where access is granted via communica-
school entrances further ensure safety of Plett Primary pupils throughout school and sports hours. Email principal@plettprimary.co.za for further information in this regard. • A local security expert told CXPRESS that it was
suspiciously around school grounds: “When someone is sitting in a car close to the playground or sports fields, for example, the intention may be clear but at that stage no crime has been committed, so there are no grounds for arrest.
assist in being the eyes and ears of the police, take down as many details as possible and, without compromising children or staff in the process, ensure that suspicious people know they had been spotted and will be reported.”
Valentine’s Day murder of Davine de Waal enrages Crags residents
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Date: Thursday 10 March @ 12pm Venue: The Hyatt Hotel, 191 Oxford Road, Rosebank, JHB Knysna Landmark Building
MOB JUSTICE LOOMS: Members of The Crags community were highly upset when a wellloved local man was found murdered in his home, and despite heavy police presence on Sunday threatened to take the law into their own hands - Photo: Supplied
Yolandé Stander
LETTENBERG Bay police are appealing to the community for information after a young man from The Crags was found brutally murdered on Valentine’s Day. Police spokesman Captain Malcolm Pojie said the body of 20-year-old Davine Franklin de Waal was discovered by a family member in Geelhout Street on Sunday. “The young man’s cousin reported the matter to police who immediately dispatched members to the crime scene. On arrival they found the deceased on his back with a stab wound to the chest,” Pojie said. He added that despite
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allegations by the local community about possible suspects, police could not find any witnesses. “In retaliation, members of the community stormed the house of ‘socalled suspects’ and damaged the property.” Pojie said police took two possible suspects in for questioning and for their own safety as the community was adamant they would take the law into their own hands. “This is something we cannot allow or afford as we want to ensure that justice is served and that those responsible for the murder are brought to book.” Pojie said that the person who discovered the body was also taken in for questioning.
“Later the three were released as no evidence or reason could be found that linked them to the murder. We also obtained their statements.” Pojie said the circumstances surrounding the murder was still unknown and was being investigated. “We appeal to anyone with information to call the investigating officer Constable Tertius Wolmarans on 044 501 1943 or 076 946 6825 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. All information will be dealt with in a confidential manner.” In the meantime, The Crags community was set to hold a meeting last night to establish an anti-crime committee in an attempt to curb crime in the area. Garden Route Media
NEWS & VIEWS
17 February 2016
CXPRESS
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Dwindling dugongs deserve our best efforts to ensure their survival ANY Bitou residents will know the name Vic Cockcroft as part of the proverbial furniture in local and national marine mammal circles. But a lesser known fact is that the doc has been fighting for the survival of a pretty peculiar and particularly endangered animal. The East African dugong is one of the continent’s most threatened large mammals, and many years ago Vic initiated the Dugong Project, which is run from Plett but operated in oceans off the coasts of Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, the Seychelles and Comoros. Principal investigator for the programme, Vic recently played host to a team of leading dugong conservationists who descended on Plett to compare notes on their findings with regard to this shy species of marine mammal of which the numbers are fast dwindling. “I’ve spent 25 years trying to find dugongs off East Africa and the Mascerine Islands,” says Vic. “To date, I have only found a population of some 300 off Bazaruto Archipelago, Central Mozambique. There are others, but they are very few and far between. “Work we did off Madagascar shows that older fishermen remember dugongs, but have not seen them in years. Younger fishermen have never seen them and don’t even know the local name for them. The same is evident throughout most of East Africa.
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“We flew 250 hours along the coast of Kenya and saw only nine dugongs! We’ve run hundreds of questionnaire surveys in fishing villages throughout East Africa and the Islands and the story is the same - dugongs are fast disappearing.” The current estimation is that there are fewer than 1,200 left off East Africa and this sad state of affairs drove Vic to propose and raise funding for an East Africa-wide programme, to determine once and for all how many dugongs are left and where they are. “Once we have a clearer picture of these figures, management solutions can be proposed to the governments concerned in an attempt to conserve the last remaining dugongs. ‘Management’ includes educating fishermen on the subject and preventing them from catching dugongs, as well as eco-tourism, alternative livelihoods, and so on.” Vic has various partners (NGOs, universities, and government departments) in each of the countries involved, who assist in undertaking the actual work. And it’s this far-flung team of likeminded academics, hailing from Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya, who converged on Vic’s Plett home two weekends ago not only to work, but also to see a little more of the beautiful bay their principal investigator calls home. “The meeting went very well and we achieved our goal of reassessing and pri-
oritising the next phase of our conservation work. New students were also introduced to all team members and the intricacies of our programme,” he says. “One of the main aims of this rare get-together was ascertaining how to transfer our findings from paper to action - in other words, how to get decision-makers and politicians to act on our recommendations. “To accomplish this we have identified high-level government employees sympathetic to dugong conservation. We will mandate these persons to approach the Parliamentary Environment Committees of the various states, to present our work and recommendations,” Vic explains.
TO THE DUGONG RESCUE: Dr Vic Cockcroft, at left, with visiting members of his Dugong Project team - from left are Lindsay West (SeaSense, Tanzania), Co-principal Investigator Dr Donna Kwan (United Nations Environment Programme, Abu Dhabi), Dr Almeida Guissamulo (University Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique), Co-principal Investigator Asma Hadi (PhD student, Pwani University, Kenya), Dr Ken Findlay (Whale Unit, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria), and Co-principal Investigator Said Shaib (MSc student, University Dar Es Salaam, Institute of Marine Sciences, Zanzibar)
“The few remaining dugongs deserve our best efforts to get our suggestions and findings actioned.” • Dr Cockcroft was born in Harare and attended the University of Natal, where he obtained his MSc and
PhD degrees. As the Curator of Marine Mammals and now Director of the Centre for Dolphin Studies (an independent research and education institute), he has been involved in marine mammal (whales, dolphins,
seals and sirenians) research for 30 years. He served as an advisor on both the Cetacean and Sirenian Specialist Groups of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and has served on the International Whaling Commission’s Small Cetacean Advisory Committee. He has been principal investigator on over 40 marine mammal research programmes in Southern and East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean, during which he has trained over 35 post graduate students at the MSc or PhD level. He has contributed to over 150 publications to the scientific and popular press, including books on marine mammals. Visit the Centre for Dolphin Studies on Facebook or www.dugongs. org to find out more.
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CXPRESS
NEWS & VIEWS
17 February 2016
Cambridge matric results do ultimate ‘Class of Bay College’ extremely proud HE team at Bay College has been revelling in the glory of excellent 2015 Cambridge results the last they would write under the Bay College banner, as 2016 saw the school become the senior phase component of Plett’s band new Greenwood Bay College (GBC). AS Level (matric) student Kyle Goosen achieved six As, while many of his classmates also gained distinctions in a variety of subjects. Brandon Coetzer achieved five As and Jessica Fielding an impressive A aggregate on the seven subjects she wrote - truly remarkable at this level. Out of nine Mathematics candidates, six achieved A symbols. This is an absolutely mind-boggling statistic... the fact that 67% achieved distinctions. The famous Michaelhouse is justifiably proud of its traditional 50% of Maths students achieving As, making the Bay College percentage even more impressive… hats off to Maths teacher Susan Donald and her students. In English, five out of 14 candidates achieved As, in Afrikaans six out of 12, in Geography four out of nine, and in Biology five out of 10. Few schools, if any, in the country can boast such high statistics of pupils attaining As in matric. Needless to say, Bay College
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PACKING VAST POTENTIAL: Most of the 2016 GBC Grade 11 class completed Grade 10 at Bay College last year by writing the Cambridge external IGCSE exams - Josie Bröhm, second from left in the middle row, notched As in all seven of her subjects, including two scores of over 90%
STYLING: Kyle Goosen achieved six As during his final exams last year
boasts a 100% pass rate. This is a proud tradition which GBC fully expects to keep up in future. The 2015 IGCSE (Grade 10) results were also released by Cambridge late
last month and the school is delighted to report some remarkable achievements here, too. Josephine Bröhm wrote seven subjects and got distinctions in all, including two scores over 90%. These results place her among the top students in the country. Several other students performed extremely well, among them Gabriel Wiener with three distinctions. Abigail Pretorius received over 90% for English, Adam Dugmore and Miriam Hubner both received distinctions in Biology, and Jade Cronjé scored a distinction in English. Greenwood Bay College congratulates the entire Grade 10 class on their results and looks forward with excitement to this year’s matric (AS Level) results.
Notice Board • The Van Plettenberg Historical Society has this year committed itself to completing its Blue Plaque campaign, which identifies structures of at least 60 years old within Bitou. Residents and members of the Society are invited to nominate structures to be included, or submit details of such structures to the society for further action. Alternatively, they may contribute info relating to structures already identified as candidates for the campaign, or may wish to assist in the collection of data. Please email David Rowe in this regard at rowe.green valley@telkomsa.net. • The next meeting of Knysna Garden Club will take place at the Michaelides home at 34 Wilson St on February 24, at 9:45 for 10am. Says the club’s Elinor Clegg: “Come visit this beautiful garden full of surprises. Bring chairs and a cup as we will be serving tea and goodies.” Visitors are welcome at R10 pp - phone 044 387 1966 for details.
BUSINESS
17 February 2016
CXPRESS
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How to save money, even when it seems impossible IMES are tough and many South Africans are sinking deeper into debt. With the pinch of the economic downturn, many have no choice but to abandon hopes of long-term savings and turn to debt in a bid to survive from month to month. “We have become a nation of borrowers,� says Mark Young, deputy CEO of Bayport Financial Services SA. “South Africa has one of the lowest savings rates in the world. “We traditionally borrow more than we save, and it’s only getting harder due to conditions beyond our control such as a plummeting exchange rate, rising inflation and a struggling economy. These factors
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Investor Focus
place additional pressure on hard-pressed consumers already struggling to make ends meet.� Ironically, lack of savings is one of the major contributing factors to the growing over-indebtedness of SA consumers. “When you have savings you don’t need to borrow money in an emergency,� says Young. “The harsh reality for millions of South Africans is that the ever-increasing cost of living coupled with macro-economic conditions may mean a lack of ability to start saving.� Saving requires a strong commitment and a change in mind-set and attitude and even if you can’t save right now, start the process by settling debt and man-
HE perfect storm that ushered in the New Year is continuing. Markets, currencies and raw materials are constantly being buffeted by the ongoing flow of bad news. It is, however, interesting to note that much of the bad news is in fact policy changes or announcements, and the anticipation of such events. In the United States, we are at the mercy of the Fed. Will they up interest rates again at their next meeting? The daily reports of retail sales, unemployment, or oil stockpiles cause gut wrenching moves in the markets. In Euroland, we have the ECB [European Central Bank] charging you to leave money in the bank. So the monetary policy of Euroland is again the cause of perpetual twitches in the markets. We hear the German Finance minister making what appears to be nega-
“This may be difficult to achieve, but it is a target to work towards. Even saving a small amount will give you more security than no savings at all.â€? Building a savings account is a good idea because it: • Gives you a financial cushion. • Helps you to prepare for retirement. • Enables you to achieve your short or long term goals. • Grows your money through compound interest. • Allows you to afford assets that support the creation of wealth (e.g. house). “Everyone wants to have plenty of money and the freedom to spend it however they choose. This may
Malcolm Stewart – Investment manager at Michaelides Parker Wealth Knysna & Plett
Weathering the storm
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aging your lifestyle. Saving gurus recommend that you should save at least 10% of your annual income; to retire comfortably, the number is 20%. Research has shown that South Africans save 0-8%. The interest on debt usually accumulates faster than the interest on savings. While saving might not be possible for everyone, use it as a goal by prioritising debt repayments and when you have extra funds available once debts are paid off, channel those into savings. “Ideally you should have a minimum of three months’ salary set aside to cover emergencies such as loss of income or car or home repairs,� says Young.
tive statements and then, on top of it all, Volkswagen is caught cheating! Talk about the good news and the bad news‌ In China, we are told the powers that be are trying to change the focus of their economic future from being investment-driven to being consumer-led. As this change takes place, we see a slowdown in their growth rate from a spectacular 15% per annum several years ago, to the current rate of 6.5%pa. Being the second-biggest economy in the world, this drop in growth has caused havoc in global markets. Remember when iron ore was $130 a ton, and thermal coal was over $125 a ton? Both are currently sitting at ¹$30 a ton. Their currency is drifting lower, and they are importing less fancy goods. Emerging markets in countries that exported raw materials to China are in deep distress. They squan-
dered the rewards of the good times and will soon have to go cap in hand to the IMF [International Monetary Fund]. Their currencies have crashed and inflation is starting to take off. The oil price is being driven down by the OPEC Cartel so as to squeeze out US suppliers. This destroys the economies of many emerging countries. The Rand has been a spectacular victim of this market mayhem. It is the world’s best traded emerging market currency. I recently saw a turnover figure of over R25-billion per day. I’m not sure how accurate this is, but when the Chinese have poor manufacturing data, the Rand slumps. Finally, in our own country we see the tragic effects of poor political acts. These are tales of visas and finance ministers‌ However, all of the above market movers have one thing in common - they do not address the value of
listed shares. In this market, a true investor proceeds as follows: he holds onto his quality equities. He does not succumb to the bad news or to the fear that it generates. He does not panic out of the market. And he goes shopping, too! Real value can often only be found in these panic-stricken markets. We have situations where quality listed banks are offering dividend yields over 6%. (Standard Bank has never missed a dividend in 25 years.) Insurance companies are at really low valuation levels. Some of our retailers are also beginning to reflect real value. This bear market will not last forever. Ride out the storm and keep your eye out for bargains. • Malcolm has been in the investment industry for over 40 years. He has written this column in CXPRESS for the last 17 years and is a specialist in managing retired wealth.
be an unrealistic goal, but you can build up a savings account no matter what you earn. All it takes is some discipline and clever tactics, such as making your money work even harder for you,� he says. Use these steps to kickstart your savings plan: • Budget - people who keep track of their expenses often have more money left over at the end of the month than people who don’t follow a spending plan. • Prioritise - make saving for your future a priority. • Manage - pay off debts
that have high interest rates and save the money you no longer spend on monthly instalments. • Lifestyle - reduce unnecessary spending (lottery tickets or the daily cappuccino or take-away) and put that money into a savings jar. At the end of each month deposit the money from the jar into a savings account and watch it grow. • Be service-savvy - cancel any unused club memberships, analyse your bank and cellphone accounts, and cancel any services you aren’t using or don’t need.
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CXPRESS
INTERVAL
17 February 2016
If I can’t have what I want, let me want what I have.
A poodle gets lost in the African jungle... wealthy old lady decides to go on a photo safari in Africa, taking her poodle along for company. One day the poodle starts chasing butterflies and before long, discovers that he’s lost. Wandering about, he notices a hungry-looking leopard heading rapidly in his direction. The poodle thinks “Oh, oh!” Noticing some bones on the ground, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the leopard is about to leap, the poodle exclaims loudly: “Boy, that was one delicious leopard! I wonder if there are any more around here.” Hearing this, the leopard halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees. “Whew!” says the leopard, “that was close! That poodle nearly had me!” Meanwhile, a monkey who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby
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tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the leopard. So off he goes, but the poodle sees him heading after the leopard with great speed, and figures that something must be up. The monkey soon catches up with the leopard, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the leopard. The leopard is furious at being made a fool of and says: “Here, monkey, hop on my back so you can watch me chew that poodle to bits!” Now, the poodle sees the leopard coming with the monkey on his back and thinks: “What am I going to do now?” but instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn’t seen them yet, and waits until they get just close enough to hear. “Where’s that damn monkey?” the poodle says, “I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another leopard!”
A wife was curious when she found two old negatives in a drawer and had them made into prints. She was pleasantly surprised to see that they were of her at a much younger, slimmer time taken many years ago on one of her first dates with her husband. When she showed her husband the photographs, his face lit up. “Wow, look at that!” he said with appreciation, “that’s my old Ford!”
The job interview MPLOYER: “How long were you employed at your last job?” Candidate: “30 years.” Employer: “What’s your age?” Candidate: “20 years.”
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The employer is surprised and asks the candidate how it is possible that he is 20 years old and claims to have the experience of 30 years. Candidate: “Overtime.”
The priest and the cabbie priest and a cab driver went to heaven. The priest was given 50 bags of gold and a nice big house. The cab driver was given the same but also received a boat, a lake, and a box of diamonds.
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The priest said: “Hey I was a priest, how come I don’t get a box of diamonds or a lake or a boat?” St Peter replied: “We go by results. During your sermons people slept, during his cab rides people prayed.”
Loe e rie Park,, Knysna 27th Feb b ruary 2016 S treet March & Massed P ipes & D r ums 9.15 - 10.30 am
March Past by 10+ Pipe Bands on Knysna’s Main Road Massed Band with 150+ Pipers & Drummers from all over SA This event is unique to Knysna & is NOT to be missed!
Celtic Festival - L oerie Pa rk
Come and delight in some delicious food and a wine tasting in the beautiful surroundings of our boutique estate.
11 am - 3 pm
kayandmonty.com
PBASA Pipe Band Competition, Solo Piping & Drumming Highland Dancing Championship Highland Games & Tossing the Caber – Powered by The Gym, Knysna Regional 3D Archery Tournament Beer Garden with live Celtic Music – Food Court Entrance Fee: Adults – R30, Children – R15, at Gate
Sundown ne rs Celtic & Blueg g rass Conce e rt
Call us on +27 83 704 8560 or +27 84 504 8082 Open from 11am to 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday REDFORD ROAD | THE CRAGS | PLETTENBERG BAY
5 pm - 9 pm
Blacksmith from Cape Town in concert with… Knysna & Districts Pipe Band & a lot more Great Food, Dinner & Pub with Wine, Beer & other refreshments Tickets from all Sotheby’s Offices: Knysna, Plett & Sedgefield – R100
SOCIAL SCENE
17 February 2016
CXPRESS
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LITFEST SEATS SELLING LIKE HOTCAKES: Tickets for the seventh annual Knysna Literary Festival from March 17-20 went on sale on February 1 and within days some of the events were sold out, including the ever-popular ‘Delicious Word Journey’, celeb chef Pete GoffeWood’s presentation, and ‘Fate of the Nation’ - a riveting panel discussion about the current political climate in South Africa. But there’s a vast array of presentations and programmes still open for participation, so KLF event manager Sasha Campbell, left, and Jennifer Niksch from Pam Golding Properties have reason to smile broadly. The full 2016 programme is available at www. knysnaliteraryfestival.co.za and in printed format from Pam Golding Properties in Knysna and Plett, and at Bargain Books in Knysna Mall and Plett’s Market Square. Tickets can also be bought online through www.webtickets.co.za or from the Pam Golding Properties Knysna office at 5 Gray Street. See the advert on page 12 for more information.
MUNICIPAL SUPPORT: Bitou, along with other local authorities, agreed to contribute as part of an ongoing turnaround strategy for the troubled Oudtshoorn Municipality. These commitments are borne out of the facilitation and the work of Bitou Municipal Manager Allen Paulse, seconded part-time acting MM to Oudtshoorn as part of the initiative to mobilise support from all municipalities within Eden District. Bitou mayor Memory Booysen committed R100,000 to alleviate Oudtshoorn’s plight, over and above the secondment of Paulse and Bitou CFO Felix Lötter. Pictured here celebrating the good plan are, from left, George deputy mayor Danie Maritz, MM Paulse, mayor Booysen, Oudtshoorn administrator Kam Chetty, Knysna mayor Georlene Wolmarans, Eden District mayor Wessie van der Westhuizen, Mossel Bay mayor Marie Ferreira and an unnamed lady who looks as chuffed as all the rest put together... Email MvanRooyen@plett.gov.za for additional information.
LENS, PALETTE, FURNACE FOLLOWED BY MARVELLOUS MUSIC: Ingrid Tonkin, at left in the pic top right, displayed her paintings and Rob Smith his photography at The White House in Plettenberg Bay on February 9 & 10 as part of a Mini Meander of exhibitions that raised funds for The PlettAid Foundation and Hospice Plett. Above, Robert Leggat, left, and his son Brendan Leggat stand at the latter’s bronze sculpture ‘Brahman Bull’, at Bronze Fields Foundry in Harkerville, during the course of the Mini Meander. Talk about White House events: if you haven’t booked your Plett Music Festival (PMF, February 18-21) tickets yet, it’s time to get to The Old House Shop. All in aid of the Kids of Kurland, you can enjoy the extensive talents of Derek Gripper and Shawn Phillips (Feb 18), The Four Waiters (Feb 19), the NMMU Choir (Feb 20) and Cat Simoni on Sunday the 21st. Visit www.plett-tourism.co.za/events/plett-music-festival-2016/ for details. - Photos: Timothy Twidle
GET SET, READY… STORMS! The girls from Holiday Plett had their annual staff party in Storms River Village this past weekend. The Segway Tour was a blast, but thirsty work so it was aptly followed by a craft beer tasting and snacks at Marilyn’s 60s Diner. Says accounts guru Marietjie Horak: ‘The fun day was ended off with a stunning meal prepared by our boss. Thank you to both Vivienne and Jenny for the spoil!’
People, places & events
COENIE COMES TO MOSSELS: The SA Council for Business Women (SACBW) is hosting their first seminar in exactly a month, on March 17 in Mossel Bay. This forms part of their national congress of five seminars countrywide as well as their Business Woman of the Year competition. Delegates can sign up for this half-day conference between 8am and 2pm at the Garden Court Mossel Bay Hotel. ‘Lead the Change’ is the theme, with well-known South African musician, TV personality and businessman Coenie de Villiers, above, sure to dazzle the ladies with his topic of how music can transform your life. The SACBW is a nonprofit organisation represented nationally by successful businesswomen. This congress is a learning forum designed for leaders, managers and entrepreneurs who want to advance their career or grow their business by proactively pursuing their own professional and personal development. In April they head to Bloemfontein and the East Rand, May Umhlanga, and end their series of seminars off in June in Nelspruit. Call Adele Potgieter on 082 332 0479 for details.
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CXPRESS
17 February 2016
CLASSIFIEDS
ON THE SOAPBOX
17 February 2016
Letters to the Editor
Email: editor@cxpress.co.za - Fax: 044 533 0852 - PO Box 1449, Plett 6600
A legend indeed was the late Nicky Maritz I just read your article on the late Nicky Maritz online [turn to page 3 of the January 10 edition at www. cxpress.co.za]. I was shocked when I came across the news of his passing - believe me, shocked in the real sense of the word. You rightly reported on Nicky’s human nature beyond doubt; “a legend”,
yes indeed. How often would he surprise me by waiting in my chair in my office at The Crags Primary School? When I reported for duty, he was ready to check on the behaviour of those disruptive learners he took out on a disciplinary camp the previous week. Yes, Nicky was a person with authority, and yet a
friend in need as well. His personal cellphone numbers are still on my phone, although I retired in 2007 and relocated to Gauteng at the time. I am truly depressed by the loss of such a valuable asset to the police and the greater community, and I trust that his family find a measure of comfort by my condolences during their
sad time of bereavement. Warm regards. Kobie Snyders, Gauteng (We thank Mr Snyders, who was the principal of The Crags Primary School for many years and himself a pillar of the Plett community, for taking the time to write and share the sentiments that so many Bitou locals agree with. - Eds.)
Fruits of 30-year-old blunder drives N2 users dilly With reference to the letter by ‘Frustrated Motorist’ [read it on page 11 of the January 27 edition at www.cxpress.co.za]: I too find the Plettenberg Bay to Knysna section of the N2 difficult to negotiate. With ever-increasing traffic loads, I must agree
it is time to upgrade this 30-kilometre section. Thirty years ago, when both the George to Knysna and the Knysna to Plettenberg Bay sections of the N2 were upgraded, differing standards were applied to each section. The engineering firm
LTA, under contract to SANRAL or its then equivalent, upgraded the George/Knysna section and for reasons beyond understanding the Knysna/Plettenberg Bay section was built to a lower standard by Messrs CONCOR and funded by
the Provincial authorities. The results of this planning blunder are now bearing fruit! These days SANRAL’s priorities lie elsewhere and I doubt we shall see any improvement soon. Dave Reynell, Knysna
An open letter to Bitou on jet skis in the bay I refer to Timothy Twidle’s letter of February 3 in response to your letter of January 27 [turn to page 11 of those issues at www. cxpress.co.za] concerning jet skis in Plett, with which I totally concur and agree. With respect, the last paragraph of your letter makes no sense whatsoever, and I really cannot see what the Constitution has to do with this matter. However, be that as it may, the real issue is: should jet skis be permitted to continue to operate in Plett, and the pros and cons thereof. This is obviously a very sensitive and potentially inflammatory debate, but it is a matter which must be addressed and reconciled for the benefit of the majority of both tourists, and permanent and temporary residents of our beautiful town. The pros: i) Sea Rescue - It is imperative that the NSRI continues to utilise jet skis in the event of marine emergencies, and for training purposes. However, hopefully incidents occur rarely to necessitate their use, and the weekly training and practice sessions take place in the late afternoons well away from swimming beaches and usually in the vicinity of the Keurbooms River mouth at the end of Lookout Beach. I believe the jet skis used have four-stroke motors which are much quieter and less disruptive than the noisy two-stroke motors of more common recreational craft. ii) Recreation - There is no doubt that jet skis appeal to those with a motorbike mind-set and mentality, who get a thrill racing
around all over the bay. For them, it is an exciting and fun way to spend their holidays. Unfortunately, the few that do it - not even a dozen - shatter the peace and serenity of Plett for hundreds of holidaymakers and residents alike. The cons: i) Danger - As has already been exhibited, jet-skiers race around at high speed all over the bay, inevitably taking off from and returning to beaches where there are people swimming. It is very difficult to spot someone’s head in the swell and surf, especially when one is travelling at high speed over the waves. As mentioned, it is just a matter of time before someone is struck and seriously injured, possibly fatally. ii) Noise - The screaming and revving of jet ski engines can be heard not only on all beaches in the area, but also by all residents of properties within the vicinity of the beaches, from dawn to dusk. People come to Plett to appreciate the peace and quiet and beauty of the sea and beaches, and to have that peace shattered by the constant shriek of jet skis by an inconsiderate few, can only destroy the town’s reputation. iii) Marine life - Plett is famous for its whales, dolphins, seals, birds and numerous other aquatic creatures which frequent our seas and shores, except when the jet skiers arrive and frighten them away. We used to get schools of dolphins coming right into the bay and swimming close to bathers during the height of the summer season - sadly, no more with the advent of jet skis.
Even more unacceptable is that jet skiers have been seen to closely approach whales and other sea creatures some considerable distance from the shore line, which causes them much distress and drives them away. I am sure that you will receive rude and aggressive letters from those few who partake in this ‘sport’ accusing me of spoiling their fun, but I am equally sure that there are many, many more people who share my sentiments and agree with me and wish to keep Plett as it used to be before the advent of these cursed machines. So, may I suggest that you draw up a referendum to see who is for and against jet skis and then make a final, firm and binding decision on jet-ski usage, whatever way it goes? Bitou Council will have to make, uphold, monitor and, most importantly, police such a decision for the benefit of all holidaymakers and residents for the future survival and success of our town as prime coastal resort. We have three Blue Flag beaches! The Constitution doesn’t come into it; only the wishes and will of the majority who live and holiday in Plett is what ultimately matters. Johnny Matthews, Plett Bitou mayoral spokesperson Manfred van Rooyen comments: Thank you for your correspondence, Mr Matthews. I’m safe in the knowledge that Bitou’s Legal Department is quite advanced in the process of drafting a comprehensive bylaw that would significantly address the issues of the use of beaches and public
amenities. The bylaw would obviously provide the instruments for dealing with any issues of non-compliance to safe and responsible use of our beaches and public amenities. It deliberately and consciously seeks to address any gaps that may exist around safe and responsible use of these amenities. All affected parties will have an opportunity, whether for or against, to comment and input to the proposed bylaw when it is opened for public participation. I want to assume that you will comment in that context. As a municipality, we are acutely aware of competing and divergent interests in all matters relating to governance and the public discourse that arise from dispensing our legal mandate. Council always seeks to strike a balance so that the greater public good is served.
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Help Quinton after injuries sustained during fire duty Neighbourhood watches normally comprise an anonymous few who willingly at all hours put themselves in the path of danger to help and protect their neighbours. On Friday January 29, a fire on the old Plett Timbers site opposite AWA Engineering was reported to Boschfontein Neighbourhood Watch (BNW). The Boschfontein fire trailer and crew were on site within minutes; fast thinking and brave action averted what could have been, and nearly was, a very ugly situation (local residents will remember the Plett Timbers Fire of several years ago). Fires always come with inherent danger, especially on windy days and regrettably, while going round the back to cut off flames, Quinton
Smith sustained serious injuries to his feet. I visited Quinton at the municipal hospital on Monday and found him prepped and awaiting his turn to go into theatre for surgery. His injuries must have been extremely painful and will necessitate him being off work for some time. Your good wishes and any financial help to tide him over this difficult period will be very welcome and show how much we appreciate the efforts of our watches. Contact BNW Treasurer Neil van Deventer on 082 881 2937 for further information. Financial contributions for Quinton can be deposited c/o Capitec Bank, Boschfontein, account number 141 632 1541, sort code 470010. Boschfontein Resident, Plett
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CXPRESS
SPORT & ADVENTURE
17 February 2016
Who will take pics of Plett’s surf now Dennis is gone? RIENDS and fellow aficionados of tunes and waves and supercool art woke up to the sad news on Sunday morning that longtime Plett local Dennis Grove had suffered a fatal heart attack the previous evening. His association with the town and its people spans more than three decades, from the old Whale Shop days and before, with murals and many of his other creations adorning Plett venues. But possibly the picture imprinted in most local beachgoers’ memories is of Dennis - himself a pivotal part of the Cape surfing community - sitting hunched up at the Whale Tail or at The Wreck or close to his Solar Beach pad, taking photos of other
DENNIS GROVE: 28.10.1953 13.02.2016 Waves and the surfers who ride them, as well as his Plett seascapes, far left, were favourite themes of Dennis Grove’s photos
F Photo: Dennis Grove
surfers in the water. When CXPRESS phoned around trying to track down a photo of Dennis riding waves, the answer was always the same: ‘He took plenty of me, but never seen any of him.’ Said Clayton Bischoff of Surf Café: “I suppose that’s just the irony of it - he was
always looking at the rest of us through his lens.” That eye and his art and those historical beach parties will be missed for years to come. Rest in peace, dear Dennis. • Friends are invited to a paddle out for Dennis on Saturday February 20 from 6pm at Solar Beach.
Outeniqua wheelchair challengers roll into George on Saturday EORGE Airport and municipality are gearing up for the ‘hood’s biggest racing event when the 14th Outeniqua Chair Challenge (OCC), exclusively for athletes with physical disabilities, is hosted by the Southern Cape capital on Saturday February 20. The event is an international wheelchair cycle challenge that has in the past attracted international athletes from Switzerland, Ireland, England and a few others from within the continent, like Zimbabwe and Ghana. “OCC is not only about top athletes from all over the world racing and winning titles,” says organiser Ansle Swart. “It’s important on many levels as in the past we have witnessed hundreds of young and old volunteers
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from the George community coming together and supporting people with disability by taking part in a marathon, half-marathon, 10km race and fun event. “We believe that this year’s race will attract more people than ever before and are committed to stage an event of a high standard to ensure the success not only for the current year, but to ensure that the OCC remains a standout annual event. “The safety of all our participants is our priority, which is why we implement security measures such as closing the traffic routes that lead to York Street and making sure we have medical facilities and ambulances on the marathon route,” Swart added. George Airport has been sponsoring the OCC - which
started in 2002 with only 27 athletes participating in a half-marathon (21km) race for the past three years. The number of participants has grown tremendously and over a 500 participants have already signed up for this year’s event. “George Airport is extremely proud to be associated with the OCC. We are committed to the disability sector, aimed at providing access to people with disabilities, and further enhancing the integration of people with disabilities into our societies through the initiatives such as the OCC,” says George Airport manager Brenda Vorster. Visit www.georgeocc.co.za for more information or hit York Street on Saturday for all the awesome wheelchair action.
Snacking ‘water flowers’ in Farleigh Forest
Dave Reynell of Knysna sent this pic after recent comms with CXPRESS over national roads and proposed cycleways and other things on the move, and wrote: ‘Here’s a photo to cheer you up. I took it way back in about 2008 whilst cycling up at Farleigh Forest Station. These Percherons, tired of their usual fare, decided to snack a few waterblommetjies.’ Cheered us up it did indeed, ta Dave! Of course, there’s a vast horsing fraternity on the Garden Route, meaning that riders of all ages and skills levels are having their lives enriched by these treasured animals. Says Lee Naudé of EquineSA: ‘Horses are extremely relevant in South Africa and the world today - not only for their recreational, therapeutic or specialist attributes, but one sport horse can employ 35-40 professional people, all from various fields, during its career.’ So there you have it… go pat a pony today, and visit www.equines.com to find out more about the amazing world of horses.