17 February 2021 by CXpress

17 February 2021

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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Back to school with big hopes

Photo: Bianca Vollgraaff

Grade 3s Corey Vidalis, left, and Ryan Oosthuizen were some of the Plett Primary students who joined learners across the land in their long-awaited return to the classroom on Monday. We wish all scholars in CX Country the very best for the academic year ahead.

Light shed on 5G p2

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NEWS & VIEWS

17 February 2021

What is 5G, and is it worthy of worry? ROM the time of the origins of humans when hunter-gatherers ran across the open Savannah chasing a buck for dinner, all people have been constantly immersed in radio waves. Way back then, these waves emanated from deep space, but shortly before the Boer War, Heinrich Hertz showed that mathematical predictions of the nature of electromagnetism were correct and that radio waves could be intentionally transmitted from one antenna to another. Same thing, different frequencies Today your hi-fi and electrical wall plug show frequency in Hertz (Hz). We laugh when we hear that a news reporter asked Hertz what were the practical applications of his work and he replied: “None, I just wanted to show that the mathematical predictions of electromagnetism were correct.” The maths also showed that radio waves and light were the same thing - only the frequency was different. As the 20th Century progressed, the whole electromagnetic spectrum was investigated in extensive depth, from the lowest frequencies to the highest. For day-to-day practicality we name portions of this continuous spectrum with various commercial names, such as radio, FM radio, light, X-rays, microwaves, ultraviolet, infrared, VHF, UHF, and more. They are all the same thing, but with different frequencies that result in different properties. For example, the human eye has evolved to see that part we call light. Researchers say that some insects appear to be able to see some Ultra Violet (UV), but people can’t. As a rule of thumb, low frequencies which also have long wavelength can travel far, but high frequencies with short wavelength can’t. So in the days when only long wavelength AM radio was available, we could pick up radio broadcasts from other countries, but when higher frequency FM radio came about

we needed an effective Line-ofSight of the broadcast tower. Electromagnetic radiation concerns All types of radio-wave devices exploded onto the world stage, particularly over the last half-century, and radio-wave traffic of all sorts increased dramatically. So people are now daily exposed to FM radio, TV broadcast, police radio, aircraft positioning beacons, and at times other types such as X-rays or other medical scanners. Because of all the commercial and military applications, scientists have investigated everything that can be thought of concerning electromagnetic radiation, including biological effects, so as to develop medical X-ray devices, airport Xrays, medical MRI scanners, and anything that a scientist could find. Then it was all repeated, again and again. Meantime, other applications were developed and the first cellphone came about in 1983. Then called a car phone, it was about the size of a modern laptop, but about 10 times as thick. After that first generation of phones, which worked with ‘spatial cells,’ later generations became smaller and better. There was a second generation, or 2G, followed by 3G, as even newer ideas occurred to the developers. SA’s first cellphone small enough to be carried clipped to one’s belt came on the scene just before the dawn of the 21st Century. But they were aimed at senior business people and the wealthy elite. Nobody could imagine then that in due course schoolchildren and the pizza delivery man would own cellphones, but now SA has one of the world’s highest cellphone penetration figures. The rapid world demand for this great idea spurred on the developers. They figured out how to send text messages, with SA being one of the world’s first to do this. Then they found out how to send pictures, then small video clips. This meant that developers

had to come up with a new generation of phones, which could send messages, then images, so they created a 3rd-generation - 3G, then 4G. The target was to send even more data and longer video. This target was 5G, but an interim step was called LTE (Long Term Evolution), or ‘trying to achieve the 5G target’. Currently in cellphone evolution the transmission of data has become more of an issue than voice to voice talking. What is 5G? The latest generation of what a phone can do is 5G. A 5G system is going to be about a 10-fold improvement on the 4G system. The three big differences are improved speed, bandwidth, and latency. Latency is the speed of your phone’s response to a signal. This means that in a video game you can shoot down space invaders faster because the reaction time between your phone and the system is faster. Other implications include ordering a pizza that’s delivered to your house by drone, which lands in your backyard. The improved 5G system will allow for the faster reaction time and high data flow rate required to control the drone, and for the drone to use GPS to navigate and land accurately. To achieve this, the 5G will need many more signal antennae. The simple physics reason is that the higher frequencies required for the high data transmission don’t travel very far, so one needs more antennae to cover any given area. But the antennae will be much smaller than before and can fit on a lamp post, rather than needing a large tower. More antennas also allow for more accurate positioning, like guiding you to the front door of a restaurant. Cancer concerns The 5G is not only for cellphones but will be able to be linked to all sorts of devices - the drone, your PC, or your car. Some people worry that ‘the government’ may be able to watch which gym you visit, or where you are sitting on the beach.

Dr Kelvin Kemm

Yes they could, if you were interesting enough to concern them, but if they actually do it is a legal issue requiring a court order, so it is a society issue as to what any country will allow under its constitution. If this worries you, you could be terribly cunning and just switch your phone off. To achieve the higher data transmission and also the positional accuracy, it is necessary to use higher frequencies. But higher frequencies do not penetrate very far into anything, so you need more antennae spread around, but at relatively low power. The term ‘high frequency’ can sound scary and some people have taken fright. There have been accusations that the new high frequencies could cause cancer, but they are so low powered that you can’t get more than about 1% of the dose limit that is classified as a ‘safe’ dose by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - a division of the WHO. IARC classifies coffee and pickles as potential carcinogens in the same category as 5G electromagnetic radiation. You would have to eat tons of pickles and drink barrels of coffee for years before you need worry that you’re getting anywhere near the defined ‘safe dose threshold’. The 5G, at the extremely low-power used, will not be a concern at all. When 4G arrived there were worries about cancer, too, with some people showing pictures of trees supposedly killed by being close to a cellphone mast. The ranges of 5G frequencies have been examined by scientists for years, long before 5G for cellphones evolved, and no concerns have been shown to be anything worthy of worry. The evolution into a 5G world will bring in efficiencies and new ideas that are now just a dream curiosity, just like email and GPS were not so long ago. • This article was first published on BBrief; Dr Kelvin Kemm is CEO of Stratek Business Strategy Consultants.

The CXPRESS office at 6 Park Lane in Plett will be open from 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday, should you need to pop in.

NEWS & VIEWS

17 February 2021

CXPRESS

Update on W-Cape’s economic recovery interventions As prelude to today’s State of the Province Address (SOPA), Western Cape premier ALAN WINDE released these facts and figures on Sunday HROUGHOUT our response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Western Cape Government has worked hard to balance saving lives with protecting livelihoods. In addition to advocating for the safe reopening of business, based on scientific evidence, we have also provided a support package to businesses to protect jobs and grow the economy. By promoting investment, providing financial and non-financial support and through innovative interventions, we have attracted billions of Rands of investment into the Western Cape over the past year, helped to create or support thousands of jobs and economic opportunities, and assisted small and informal busi-

nesses to stay afloat. To support SMMEs, the R39-million Covid-19 Business Relief Fund was established and provided a lifeline to 257 businesses across the province, sustaining 2,041 jobs. To support the wine tourism economy so battered by restrictions and the collapse in tourist numbers, we registered 1,165 employees for the Wine Tourism Workers Support Stipend. To support the creative economy, R4.7-million in relief funding was allocated to 753 successful Arts, Culture and Heritage applicants. We worked with the Deeds Office and helped reduce the construction industry’s backlog by over 25,000 applications.

We also facilitated the fast-tracking of 11 EIA applications, which has resulted in R130-million in investment value opportunities created. To support the youth, we facilitated the placement of 3,500 young people in workplaces. We assisted each district with the formulation of their own recovery interventions to stimulate growth and job creation. To support exporters, we assisted the Port of Cape Town in improving their operational challenges, especially around the processing times at container terminals. We also supported the tourism economy by ensuring that George Airport was reopened, after initially not being on the ap-

proved list announced by the minister of Transport. In a collaborative effort between our departments of Economic Development, Tourism and Health, and ACSA, we were able to find a solution that enabled Covid-19 screening. This intervention resulted in 34,239 travellers being assisted and will sustain over 2,000 jobs. Our tourism promotion agency, Wesgro, also launched its domestic tourism campaign to promote the Western Cape among visitors from other provinces in South Africa. While the campaign was interrupted by the second wave and nonsensical beach ban, it was able to secure 20,000 seat bookings

through its microsite. To support the informal economy, we partnered with the EDP on a pilot project that supported the township economy and the humanitarian response by giving community kitchens vouchers to buy stock from local spaza shops. I will be visiting some of those who benefited from this project with Finance and Economic Opportunities minister David Maynier. Since the start of the financial year in April, our entities have facilitated nine investments into the Western Cape Economy - five by Wesgro, three by the Saldanha Bay IDZ, and one in the Atlantis SEZ. Together, these three entities have helped secure over R4-bil-

lion investment which will create over 1,000 jobs. We have also supported small businesses to stay safe and adhere to Covid-19 safety protocols by providing 11,000 safety kits to be distributed across the province, and distributed over 100,000 masks to agri workers. When delivering my SOPA in Genadendal on February 17, I will outline our next steps to boost the economy and stimulate job creation. I can assure residents and businesses alike that the Western Cape Government will continue to fight for jobs, advocate for business, and build partnerships that lead to increased trade and investment while also reducing red tape.

Labour Appeal Court finds Bitou municipal manager was ‘illegally’ reappointed N Friday February 12, Bitou DA constituency head Cathy Labuschagne released a statement to announce that her party had “finally triumphed” after fighting advocate Lonwabo Ngoqo’s reappointment as Bitou municipal manager since March last year.

BELEAGUERED: Bitou municipal manager Lonwabo Ngoqo

“Labour Appeal Court judges Davis JA, Coppin JA and Kathree-Setiloane AJA dismissed the municipality and Ngoqo’s appeal with costs,” according to the statement. This judgement follows the August 13, 2019 Labour High Court judgement that found Ngoqo’s

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reappointment, on March 25 last year, illegal. The DA called on Bitou mayor Peter Lobese and his ANC coalition partners “who voted in favour of Ngoqo’s appointment, well knowing that the appointment would be illegal, to pay the cost order out of their own pockets, rather than

from municipal coffers”. Labuschagne continued: “The DA believes that this could be a watershed judgement that can facilitate the dismantling of the corruption network that was systematically constructed in Bitou Municipality after the 2016 Local Government Elections.”

Upon CXPRESS enquiry, municipal spokesperson Andile Namntu responded: “Bitou Municipality confirms that the judgement has been received. The council is still assessing its options following the issuing of the judgement and will release a statement in due course.”

CXPRESS

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

NEWS & VIEWS

17 February 2021

Africa’s leading beach destination hit hard by Covid restrictions CEO of Plett Tourism PATTY BUTTERWORTH says beach closures in particular impacted most negatively on the town’s seasonal economics

Tourism 2021 in a nutshell

MPC

Domestic tourism has restarted and is helping to mitigate the impact on jobs and businesses in some areas. But real recovery will only be possible when international tourists return to our shores. This requires global cooperation and evidence-based solutions so travel restrictions can be safely lifted. The crisis is an opportunity to rethink tourism for the future. Tourism is at a crossroads and the measures put in place today will shape the tourism of tomorrow.

SHOPS TO LET

AT OLD NICK VILLAGE a landmark shopping destination on the Garden Route.

HAMPIONS of Plett’s hospitality industry estimate that the town lost in excess of R674-million in tourism earnings during the months of October, November and December 2020, as the industry dealt with the cancellation of Plett Rage, the closure of beaches, and the ban on alcohol sales in hotels and restaurants. Earlier in the year, restrictions on travel to combat Covid-19 reduced airline incoming travel and accelerated accommodation cancellations. These measures continue to affect the sector, reducing international inflows and impacting service sector-related employment with its high dependence on tourism. The sector is undoubtedly the leading source of income for Plettenberg Bay, generating an average of R3.9-billion in earnings annually pre-Covid. Tourism contributes significantly to Plett’s annual GDP and is the largest employer in the town. As a world-class destination, international and South African guests flock to our award-winning and internationally recognised beaches. The domestic market (South African travellers) makes up approximately 90% of the sector’s income during the month of December, and the majority of businesses in Plett rely on that December trade to sustain them, as it contributes an average of 50% of their annual profit. South Africans were very keen to travel during the traditional December summer holidays. Beach destinations countrywide were positioned to host South Africans during those few weeks in large numbers, with their survival largely dependent upon those guests. Small coastal holiday towns like Plett were hit

with an additional crippling blow when the government announced the ban on their beaches, resulting in countless cancellations. The bookings for accommodation in Plett during the period leading up to the December-January period exceeded expectations and we were anticipating a relatively high occupancy rate for that period. But when the beaches were closed, the negative impact was immediate with a 30% cancellation rate and then an additional 40% in cancellations with the extension of the beach closure. Job losses According to data collected through Plett Tourism’s quarterly survey, which included the peak summer season, at least 1,096 jobs in the hospitality industry were affected over the course of three months as accommodation, restaurants, and tour operator activities recorded extremely low business turnover. The accommodation sector reported temporary staff losses of 372 and permanent staff losses of 222. The restaurant sector reported temporary staff losses of 98 and permanent staff losses of 294. The tour operator activity sector reported temporary staff losses of 61 and permanent staff losses of 49. The town experienced up to 70% cancellations due to the beach closures, which contributed massively to the job losses. Financial loss Financially, the accommodation sector was hit hard with 97% of businesses surveyed reporting a loss. In comparing the months of October, November and December of 2019 to 2020, 50% of survey respondents in 2019 reported an occupancy of greater than 70%.

In comparison, only 2% of survey respondents in 2020 reported an occupancy of greater than 70%; the majority of respondents for 2020 had an occupancy of less than 50%. Based on Plett Tourism’s survey results, the accommodation industry in Plett realised revenue of approximately R1.35-billion between the months of October and December in 2019. For the same period in 2020, revenue of approximately R674-million was realised, which constitutes a 50% loss. The restaurant sector saw an average loss of greater than 50% and the tour operator activity sector saw an average loss of greater than 70%. The financial loss to the tourism sector in Plett was devastating, equating in excess of R674-million in just three months - an extremely large chunk of that due to cancellations resulting from the beach closures. The pandemic continues to hit hard but domestic tourism is helping, at least partially, to soften the blow. Encouraging news on vaccines has boosted hopes for recovery but challenges remain, with the sector expected to remain in survival mode for quite some time. We invite South African travellers to visit our region throughout the year to enjoy our beautiful beaches, warm hospitality, and many natural attractions. Plett is open for business. • Email patty@pletttourism.com to view additional statistics and graph/ pie charts. Use the official hashtags #plettitsafeeling #plettsummer and #chases thefeeling on social media and check out https://www. facebook.com/PlettTourism, https://twitter.com/Plett_ Tourism and https://www. instagram.com/pletttourism/ for more information.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS: As a world-class destination, international and South African guests flock to Plett’s award-winning and globally recognised beaches - South African travellers make up approximately 90% of the sector’s income during December - Photo: Brendon Morris

BUSINESS

17 February 2021

United States and Western Cape trade and investment partnership clinched

GREAT TRADE ELBOWED IN: Finance and Economic Opportunities minister David Maynier, left, and US acting consul general Will Stevens pledged to deepen cooperation to promote bilateral investment

ARLIER this month, the US Consulate General in Cape Town and Western Cape Government jointly launched a Trade and Investment Promotion Partnership which will build on the momentum of the existing economic relationship to promote shared prosperity and economic development. At the launch event, Western Cape Finance and Economic Opportunities minister David Maynier and US acting consul general Will Stevens pledged to deepen cooperation and coordination to promote and increase bilateral trade and invest-

ment through various engagements, events, and high-level interactions. The partnership will leverage the decades of innovative trade and investment promotion through provincial agencies such as Wesgro, and the services, resources, and expertise of 17 US government agencies to support American and African businesses. Further good news is support of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which allows dutyfree exports of more than 6,500 goods from Africa to the US. At the launch, Maynier said: “The United States is a key tourism and busi-

Investor Focus

ness market for the Western Cape, and our biggest source of foreign direct investment, so I am excited about the potential for further economic growth for both regions through the Trade and Investment Promotion Partnership.” Stevens concurred: “The trade and investment promotion partnership builds on our strong relationship with the Western Cape and the US Government’s commitment to increasing our already robust trade and investment. “The partnership also reflects the US private sector’s increasing interest in investing in the Western

Cape and the potential for further expanding bilateral trade.” The economic relationship between the US and Western Cape is evergrowing. The province’s diverse and dynamic economy attracts investment from American companies big and small, and the US has been the top foreign direct investor in the Western Cape for many years. US companies’ investment in the province has created tens of thousands of jobs, offer training and skills development, and support local communities through local outreach and humanitarian programmes. Over the last 20 years, bilateral trade between the States and W-Cape has risen by 335% and is currently valued at approximately R17-billion annually. In 2020, bilateral trade grew despite the C-19 pandemic. This growth included a 68% increase in citrus exports and a 78% increase in wine exports to the United States. Hundreds of W-Cape companies export to the US as part of this reciprocal trade, while also setting up operations in the States or forming commercial partnerships with US companies.

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

The search for yield HE income of retirees and pensioners has been forgotten in the crazy times we live in. Global fears of the pandemic and possible economic collapse have driven interest rates to lows that have never been experienced before. Government bond yields are at extreme levels. The following table, showing 10-year and 20year yields respectively, illustrates this incredible situation: • Germany -0.43%, -0.19% • USA 1.16%, 1.78% • UK 0.04%, 1.00% Can you imagine you paying the German Government 0.19% to look after your money for 20 years? Insane! In South Africa, retirees have suffered particularly serious income declines. REITS (property trusts), which were used to generate good income, postponed paying their dividends. Then, when forced to do so by the JSE and regulators, they paid vastly reduced dividends. Redefine went even further and found a (liquidity) loophole to avoid paying anything. So much for their manage-

ment’s empathy for retired shareholders. The Reserve Bank strongly advised banks not to pay dividends to preserve their solvency levels. So, the banks were forced to withhold income needed by retirees. Other companies across the board reduced their dividends as lockdowns sharply reduced their profitability. Finally, deposit rates at the banks were greatly reduced as the Reserve Bank was forced to drop its deposit rate to a level last seen over 20 years ago. The rate of market volatility vastly reduced any capital gains, so pensioners were forced to use part of their retirement nest egg to survive. So where do we go from here? Interest rates are highly likely to remain low for a lot longer, probably for another year or two. REITS will take at least another year before returning to pay regular dividends (even at reduced levels). Many companies will still pay dividends, but they will be in highly specific industries. With lockdowns being less severe, and the vac-

cines finally being rolled out it is possible to construct individual “retiree” portfolios that will offer better income that will grow over the medium term and show a degree of capital appreciation. An income orientated portfolio should be balanced using cash, bonds, prefs and equities. The following theoretical model gives some idea of what is possible. Cash - approximately 10%. Dividend flow from equities is spread throughout the year and bond interest (from a bond unit trust) is paid quarterly. Bonds - approximately 20%. Although bonds can be bought directly on the JSE, it is better to use a bond unit trust that allows smaller purchases and pays quarterly interest. Equities - 40/60%. The percentage allocation will depend on the total value of the portfolio. Here one uses companies that have benefited from the so called “stay at home” industries and have suffered little damage from the lockdowns, such as Vodacom, Coronation, Old Mutual, Billiton, and JSE.

One can also include some shares that will comfortably recover and will resume dividend payments, i.e. the banks. Prefs - approximately 10%. These have a poor track record and continue to drift lower, but they offer an attractive yield and should benefit when rates start rising (in several years’ time) Such a portfolio will yield ±6.25%. It is better than cash deposits and the income will grow over time. However, the capital value will certainly fluctuate. It is not common practice to allocate such a high percentage to equities, but the values available on the JSE are at alltime lows. It is important for retirees to consult a financial advisor before embarking on such an exercise, as our individual circumstances are very different. • Malcolm has been in the investment industry for nearly 50 years. He has written this column in CXPRESS for the last 22 years and is a specialist in managing retired wealth. See the advert on this page for contact details.

CXPRESS

ADDING A LITTLE SPICE TO YOUR WORKDAY... • “Sorry for being late,” I told my boss. “I got caught up enjoying my last few minutes of not being here.” • I had an office so small that when I put the key in the door, I broke a window. • Interviewer: “Your resumé says you take things too literally.” Me: “When did my resumé learn to talk?” • My boss asked me to put a joke on the first slide of the presentation… apparently a picture of my pay slip wasn’t what he was looking for. • My boss told me to stop acting like a flamingo, so I had to put my foot down. • Boss to employees: “We will continue to have these meetings every single day until I work out why no work is being done!” • I got fired at work today. My boss said that my communication skills weren’t up to scratch. I didn’t know what to say. • When the applicant came to the bottom of the job application where it says ‘Sign Here’ she wrote ‘Scorpion’. • I told my female colleague that she drew her eyebrows too high. She seemed surprised. • My boss is very easygoing. He told me not to think of him as the boss, rather think of him as a

friend who is never wrong. • My boss asked me to round up 17 employees pronto. So I said: “20.” • I’ve got a job helping a one-armed typist do capital letters. It’s shift work. • I got fired from the orange juice factory… I just couldn’t concentrate. • I had a nightmare of a day, the computers went down and everything had to be done manually. It took me over 10 minutes just to shuffle the cards for solitaire. • I reached the office this morning and the boss stormed up to me and said: “You missed work yesterday, didn’t you?” I responded: “No, not particularly.” • When I was younger, I really wanted to be a banker… but I kept losing interest. • My interviewer told me my salary would increase

to R10,000 per month after six months. I told him I’d start then. • My job at the paperless factory was going really well… until I went to the loo. • “You can’t wear pyjamas to work.” “Why not? Everyone else does.” “That’s because they’re the patients!” • My new colleagues are so much fun, they write names on all the food. Yesterday, I ate a yoghurt named ‘Susan’. How cute is that? • After announcing I don’t answer to anyone, I quickly lost my job at the call centre. • “What’s your biggest weakness?” “I’m really honest.” “That’s not necessarily a bad thing, you know.” “I don’t really care what you think.”

• My boss said I have a preoccupation with vengeance… we’ll see about that. • I love being a maze designer, it’s so easy to get lost in my work. • The trouble with being punctual for business meetings is that nobody’s there to appreciate it. • Since three out of four small businesses fail, my recommendation is to start a large business. • My wife tells me I talk in my sleep all the time. But I’m sceptical. Nobody at work ever mentions it. • The closest people come to perfection is on a job application. • When my boss asked me who is the stupid one, me or him, I told him everyone knows he doesn’t hire stupid people. • I gave up my seat to a blind person in the bus. That is how I lost my job as a bus driver.

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INTERVAL

17 February 2021

O M U L D DR L E N H E X A D E E DO

ON THE SOAPBOX

17 February 2021

Letters to the Editor

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

Ladies of all levels of ‘able’ are special, every day I always thought that Valentine’s Day was for couples who are reminded of their romantic attachments to each other, either new or over time. But on Sunday I found the true meaning of Valentine’s Day after all these years, when my husband invited me to one of our favourite restaurants to celebrate it. The musician had all the right tunes, the setting was grand, the food

was outstanding and we most certainly enjoyed all the special attention bestowed upon us on our special day. It was, however, with mixed emotions that I watched the undying devotion two men, obviously brothers, felt and showered upon their mother who, to them, was the lady of the day. She was a little, brittlelooking lady who had

great difficulty getting out of her chair, and also struggled to walk. But they treated her as if she was the biggest love of their lives. How adored and special she must have felt for being the only guest on this Valentine’s Day - truly a gift of unselfish love from her sons to a lady who must have been the most important one in their lives since their creation.

To all the differentlyabled ladies out there, remember you are still number one in the lives of the men in your lives daily, not just on Valentine’s Day. Rita Hardaker, Plett (Rita is founder of the Differently-abled Awareness Campaign; email rita@global.co.za if you would like to find out more or contribute towards this most worthy cause. - Eds.)

Covid-19 inspires Rodney’s Stations of the Cross…

HEADING FOR CALVARY: The set of 15 plaster sculptures created by Rodney Grosskopff to commemorate victims of the pandemic tell the story of Christ’s journey to the cross

St Peters Anglican Church in Plettenberg Bay is erecting a set of Stations of the Cross with thanks to our Lord for his loving hand on our lives through trying times - to mark the worst pandemic in living memory, and as a memorial to its victims. A Covid project of mine, they tell the story of Christ’s journey to Calvary in 15 rondel, plaster sculptures. They will be unveiled at 8:30am on Wednesday

February 17 at the ‘Ash Wednesday’ service - the start of Lent, leading up to Easter. Covid protocols prevent an open invitation but that does not prevent your readers from seeing them at Sunday services, which take place at 8:30am each Sunday. I will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11:30am until Easter to conduct anyone who is interested through the journey of their creation, and

to share stories of the building of the church from my newly-published book on the subject. However, you will need to book a slot through the church office because we will only be able to accommodate 10 people at a time. Please phone St Peters (mornings only) on 044 533 5558 to book. Rodney Grosskopff, Plett (Watch this space for further details on Rodney’s new book. - Eds.)

Epitaph to the country we called home for 38 years Memories, thoughts and observations of two ex-pats fleeing after 38 years in South Africa Head-hunted from a fading career in France, where origins and loyalty to a brand were seemingly more important than competence, we arrived in Pretoria in March 1982. Initial impressions were mixed. A stunning climate after the snow and ice of Paris was a bonus, but the food (appalling after French cuisine) and stultifying silence of Calvinist shut-down Sundays came as a shock. The job in a protected and, at the time, booming motor industry, seemed too good to be true, where anything seemed possible - and, being the ‘expert’ from a major European motor company, suggestions were taken as gospel and the possibility of a Messiah syndrome developing was never far away. The causes of this situation were close to the surface; the company was in chaos and they did not know what to do. Sales forecasts were a thumbsuck, production costs were guesswork, and the management needed a saviour… which clearly was not me! In short, the next few years were agonising and including savage redundancies, a merger with a competitor and, after 1994 when the country became internationally palatable again, overseas acquisition. And through all this we survived. In the meantime, despite a couple of work-induced

nervous breakdowns and blood pressure off the scale, life was pleasant. We found it possible to buy a 22-acre farm outside Pretoria for the price of a one-bedroom apartment in Europe (and amusingly, some Japanese friends told us, for the price of 1m2 of downtown Tokyo), just a 22-minute commute from my work. Life on the farm was good - happy wife = happy life - and we enjoyed all the vacation variety the country had to offer. Sadly, by the early 21st Century, this idyllic lifestyle was coming to an end with increasing and evercloser crime, meaning a rural existence was no longer an option and, fortunately an equine-oriented couple were eager to buy. So next up was the Garden Route. It soon became clear that, irrespective of the properties on offer, there was a distinct cultural divide in the area and, if we wanted to remain in a ‘European’ environment, we had to look east of the Kaaimans River. A suitable house in Wilderness provided us with a sea view, huge entertainment possibilities and, when a purely happenstance opportunity came along to become an untrained cub reporter for a major Eastern Cape newspaper, it was a chance not to be missed. The latter gave a reasonable supplement to our pensions, the opportunity

to take part in interesting events and meet remarkable (and sometimes aggravating) people; getting the creative juices flowing was ideal. In the later years this morphed into becoming a correspondent for CXPRESS, with the constant support of content editor Esther. Despite the superficially idyllic lifestyle, and our life in the Garden Route bubble, we became aware that there was an elephant in the room who just would not disappear - the fact that the country was on a slippery but constant downward spiral. Like the prophetic frogs in the ever-hotter water on the stove, we knew that we had to become, once again, ex-pat Ex-Pats. Outings to potential alternative retirement destinations from the Far East to Central America led to our final choice of Panama. After three years of waiting, our house finally sold, and we prepared to fly out on March 9, 2020 - just before, thank goodness, Covid-19 arrived. It turned out to be a day we’d never forget, and for all the wrong reasons… Confusion and incompetence by the Lufthansa staff at OR Tambo meant that our pet cats who were meant to accompany us on the flight, could not. So, last minute (and that means two hours before take-off) we had to arrange kennels for them, followed

by a tear-jerking farewell. Who knew when we would be seeing them again? And so, with both of us in a highly emotional state, we faced the final hurdle: Immigration Control - normally a formality. But we did not expect to encounter the bureaucrat from hell, a certain immigration supervisor called Peter Kumane Singo. Presenting our flight tickets to Frankfurt, which could have been for a vacation and not en-route to emigration, I offered my SA Passport which he grudgingly accepted. Then, when my wife offered her British Passport, he demanded her proof of residency status which of course we did not happen to bring; her ID document was deemed unacceptable. At this point he insisted we come to his office, then busied himself with completing a form which declared her to be an ‘Undesirable Person’ who had overstayed her welcome in South Africa for 972 days, and would not be allowed back into the country until March 9, 2025. Well, Mr Singo, thank you for your fond farewell after spending 38 years of our lives in your lovely country. We will do our absolute best to abide by your wishes and, in fact, we will never, ever come back to the country you and your compatriots are doing your best to destroy. Bob and Joyce Hopkin, Boquete, Panama

CXPRESS

0000 CLASSIFIEDS 0150 BUSINESS LAX with TAX? Take part in being Tax Smart. Accounting, Monthly reports, CIPC work, Audit and Tax. Contact Sean, M.Com (Tax), CA (SA) for professional advice. Ph. 044 533 0598

EARN CASH By selling Justine`s fantastic range of beauty products or buy your own products at discounted price. WhatsApp Debbie on 082 552 1380 for information LA002239

0500 ENTERTAINMENT Bloukrans Bridge bungy The world`s highest 216m. Ph. 042 281 1458 LA002158

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0200 CARS/BIKES/BOATS FOR SALE Bakkies and cars WANTED In any condition, OLD models welcome too. Ph. Himat 082 722 6183 LA002223

0400 EMPLOYMENT OFFERED

Old Nick Village The creative shopping destination. Ph. 044 533 1395 LA002159

0510 FOOD Britos - Knysna The Cape`s choice in meat. Ph. 044 382 1314 LA002163

Wimpy Take-aways. Open 24 Hours at Engen Plett. Ph. 044 533 2152 LA002165

C & C RECRUITMENT for Garden Route Placements Great database for clients. Great positions for candidates. cecile @ccrecruitment.co.za clair @ccrecruitment.co.za 082 259 4610 / 082 550 2905 - office hours

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17 February 2021

0600 FOR SALE Mrs D`s Original Portuguese peri peri sauce. Direct to the public. Trade inquiries welcome. Ph. 082 659 2392

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0700 HEALTH AND BEAUTY Advanced Hearing - Plett & Knysna Using advanced technology for hearing tests and hearing aid fittings. Professional excellence in hearing health care. Ph. 044 533 3326 / 044 382 2686 LA002168

FAMSA - Plett / Knysna Focuses on counselling namely: relationship, premarital, marital, divorce, trauma, grief, illness. At FAMSA we will listen. Ph. 044 533 0515 / 044 382 5129 LA002167

Garden Route Eye Clinic Dr Johannes Meyer Ophthalmologist and Eye surgeon. Ph. 044 382 2687 / 044 874 0178 LA002171

Plastic surgeon Contact Dr Matthew Brouckaert for an appointment. Knysna 044 382 9888, Plett 044 533 2784 LA002170

0750 MARKETS Harkerville Market The Real Organic Market. N2 between Knysna & Plett. 100+ specialty food and craft stalls. Every Saturday 8-12 noon. Ample parking. Ph. 084 510 9939 LA002172

0800 NOTICES Out of town or holidaying abroad? Read CXPRESS online and keep up with what`s happening on the Garden Route. Visit www.cxpress.co.za LA002173

0900 PROPERTY

ADT - Garden Route Keeping you safe, securing your assets. Ph. 086 12 12 340 LA002185

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Affordable garden refuse removal Dial-a-Drum. Operating in Plett, Knysna & Sedgefield. Ph. 082 808 5984

Fred the Feller Tree felling services. Garden and plot clear up. Bush clearing and pruning. Ph. Fred 082 448 9503 or e-mail fgreig @telkomsa.net

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Are you moving? Local, long distance and international. Ph. Sue 083 632 4988 / 041 405 7431 LA002188

Looking to buy property in Plett? Visit Seeff Properties in the main street. Ph. 044 533 0311 plett@seeff.com LA002175

RE/MAX PRIME PROPERTIES The real estate leaders. Contact us for all your property requirements. Ph. 044 501 4400 LA002176

Sedgefield, a piece of heaven! Selling your home? Buying a piece of paradise? Contact your friendly neighborhood agent. Ph. Talia Day 060 817 2606 PA to Jenny Des-Fountain LA002177

Bay Shoe & key - Plett / Knysna Shoe repairs, stitching, key cutting, trophies & engraving. Ph. Plett 084 317 6936 / Knysna 061 971 3241 LA002183

Buco - Plettenberg Bay Let`s build together. Ph. 044 501 3800 LA002190

COASTAL CLEANERS PLETT Advanced cleaning solutions. High reach window cleaning. Carpet, upholstery and mattress cleaning. Steam cleaning & deep sanitising. Floor & tile cleaning. Ph. 082 554 0809 / www.coastalcleaners .co.za LA002233

1000 SERVICES

Drommedaris - Plett We will better any advertised price. Try us. Ph. 044 533 1456

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John W. Wessels - Plett Attorney, Notary & Conveyancer, Administrator of Estates. Ph. 044 533 5600 LA002208

Jordaan & Smith Attorneys - Plett Attorneys, Conveyancers. Contact us today for assistance. Ph. 044 533 2140 LA002207

Garden refuse removal For as little as R80 per month. Ph. 082 808 5984 / www.dialadrumknysna. co.za LA002230

Garden refuse removal Your affordable solution in Plett, Knysna & Sedgefield. Ph. Dial-a-Drum - 082 808 5984 LA002232

Garden Route - Furniture Removals Moving Daily in the Garden Route, Cape Town, Jo`burg, Durban, Port Elizabeth. CSD Government supplier. Ph. +27 72 564 5576 (All hours) / meubelvervoersa @gmail.com

Kurlandbrik All leading builders along the Garden Route, for years have chosen Kurland Bricks. It`s the brick they are happy to stake their reputation on! Ph. 044 534 8738 LA002197

Marlin WC A Bridging loan - while waiting for Pension / Package. Ph. 076 932 8325 - sms / pcm / WhatsApp LA002184

Marlon`s Lifestyle & Home living - Plett Beds at factory prices, linen, living, and outdoor. Ph. 087 088 2294 - Main Street - Plett LA002235

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Garden Route Timber Construction New homes and additions, wooden deck specialists. Ph. Ettiene van Rensburg 083 384 7469 / 044 533 4919

ACE Refrigeration Domestic fridge re-gassing and repairs. Ph. 082 659 2392

CX Appliance - Plett Defy repairs to stoves, washing machines, dishwashers, tumble driers & microwaves. Prompt service, guaranteed repairs. Ph. Jon 072 149 3351

GvH Landscapes SALI accredited and gold award winner. Design. Installation. Irrigation. Ph. Graham 072 289 2938

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Mosdell, Pama & Cox Attorneys, Notaries, Conveyancers. With offices in Plett and Knysna. Ph. 044 5331101 / 044 382 5333 LA002210

Mungo - Plett Bedding, throws, towels, table & kitchen linen, apparel. Ph. 044 533 1395

Ouland Nursery Trees, indigenous plants, pots & more. Expert advice. Airport Road, Plett. Ph. 082 871 7332 / www.reitztreecare.co.za LA002217

Plett Carpet Cleaners The experts in carpet and upholstery care. We clean any carpets, upholstery, curtains, rugs, tiles and more. Ph. 044 533 1139 / 082 572 1027 LA002211

Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association We are watching you. Ph. 082 251 8134 LA002193

Pop it Inn - secure self-contained storage units You store it! You lock it! You keep the key! Ph. 044 535 9361 www.popitinn.co.za LA002201

Secretarial, Typing, Proofreading, Editing Service CVs, letters, quotes, proposals, marketing and press releases CXPRESS guarantees professional documents ready for presentation via fax or email. Ph. 044 533 1004 LA002198

Sprinklers for Africa We`ll help you conserve water. Ph. 044 533 4928 LA002194

The Bedroom Shop Knysna Furniture & linen emporium. Ph. 044 382 2835

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TO LET - PLETTENBERG BAY CBD

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1-Bed apartments available for long-term rental. R4.8K per month. Call 082 492 4417

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service