19 October 2016 by CXpress

19 October 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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Far from over the hill Aged 91, Mervyn Prior from The Crags was the oldest and arguably most accomplished climber to celebrate 125 years since the foundation of the Mountain Club of SA on October 8. From left at back are George residents Hettie Esterhuyse and Mari and Don Bands, and Brenda Falconer of Knysna. In front with Mervyn and his wife, Jean, right, is Sedgefielder Fay Jones. This group demonstrates the wide geographical spread drawn by the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prolific Southern Cape section - not to mention that its members set an excellent example of making the best of our brilliant outdoors, no matter how senior their status. Find out more on page 5.

A visit to Bitou mayor p4

On the social scene p9

Photo: Dave Jones

Porn case drags on

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CXPRESS

19 October 2016

NEWS & VIEWS

Driving Miss Crazy

Golf! Golf! Oh, wonderful, mysterious, maddening GOLF! JEEVES shares his adventures as Garden Route chauffeur extraordinaire

DRIVING MEN CRAZY: After nearly offing himself in the name of golf, my pal with bandaged wrists, sprained ankle and stiff back asked me to chauffeur him around the course in a golf cart not unlike the one pictured here

don’t like golf... I love it! (Apologies to some reggae song on the subject of cricket.) One percent of the world’s population play the game - or try to - that’s about 55-million hopefuls. And Tiger Woods is ranked around 739. He was going to play in the PGA Tour Safeway Open last week after an absence of two years from tournaments and three back operations, but withdrew on Tuesday, saying: “I’m not yet ready.” After a really bad round of golf, a buddy of mine slit his wrists and then jumped from the first floor of the clubhouse. (The game has that effect on people.) And when they’d patched him up, he hobbled to the locker room and inquired of his partner: “What time tomorrow?” Drugs, alcoholism and smoking can all be overcome, but not golf. Show me someone who said “I gave up golf ”, and I’ll show you the biggest liar in the world. Except for me, of course: the game gave me up when, after 30 years of trying, I discovered I couldn’t play! So, my pal with the bandaged wrists, sprained ankle and stiff back called and asked me to help him the next day in a golfbuggy, chasing around the course after his ball. I obliged and, arriving at the first tee, he struggled out of the seat, groping along the side of the cart to the back for his bag where he selected a driver, pegged his ball, went through the motions of a few practice swings reminiscent of Fred Flintstone killing his lunch, and the game was ON. His ball spluttered 50 metres along the ground. Replacing the wood, he drew an iron, fumbled himself into the seat and off we rode to where I stopped next to his ball.

RYDING HIGH: These action screen shots from the recent Ryder Cup, which the Americans claimed for the first time since 2008, demonstrate some of the excitement of the game, which less than a month ago lost one of its greatest players when Arnold Palmer departed for the great green in the sky on September 25

It looked like we could be on the course together for maybe six hours, and if stretcherbearers might be required to help him complete the round. Opportunely that wasn’t necessary as he retired, surrendered, capitulated three and a half hours later at the halfway house, where we cracked a sumptuous breakfast and downed a few frosty lagers. A few weeks ago it was again time for the most exciting competition in golf, the Ryder Cup, played every two years and pitting the USA against the Europeans. The Americans were runaway winners for the first time since 2008! Next up was the Alfred Dunhill at St Andrews in Scotland - the home of golf - where some unknown fellow (Englishman Tyrrell Hatton) won his first major by four strokes from South African Richard Sterne, making him the 15th different winner in the 16-year history of the event. Last week was the Safeway, the British Masters from October 13-16, then the Portuguese Masters from October 30-23, leading up to the Nedbank Challenge kicking off at Sun City on November 10, so there’s lots to watch. Welcome to golf, for those of you who have never played the game. It is a game to be enjoyed thus, according to Frank Coffey: “On a blue-sky day replete with puffy white clouds, strolling down a fairway with friends is a little bit of heaven on earth.” Lord Balfour’s observation: “With a clear course and fine sea view (Pezula, Simola, Pinnacle Point?), the golfer may be excused for imagining that golf is the ultimate end of existence.” Wrote Herbert Wind: “It furnishes its devotees with... an abiding pleasure unlike that which any other form of recreation affords. Perhaps it is nothing more than the best game man has ever devised.” And the late, great Arnold Palmer: “What a wonderful mysterious game golf really is! It is a game where you yell ‘fore’, shoot six, and write down five.” More on that later. Meanwhile… BUCKLE UP, wherever you may go! - Jeeves

NEWS & VIEWS

19 October 2016

Baby porn case could be struck off the court roll

There was high drama in the Knysna Regional Court yet again when the man accused of having links to a horrific international baby pornography network took his place in the dock this week YOLANDÉ STANDER reports ASPS echoed through the court gallery on Monday when the Plettenberg Bay-based suspect’s lawyer, Carl Jeppe, asked for the matter to be struck off the court roll after a series of delays with formulating the charge sheet. This came after prosecutor Chamelle Bastian indicated that she had received instruction from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) - two days before Monday’s court appearance - that the man, who cannot be named until he has pleaded, would be individually charged for each of the 179,000 images relating to the matter, and that each image would have to be described in the charge sheet. She added that formulating the charge sheet would therefore take at least two to three months. Jeppe said this was unacceptable, as he had been battling since June to obtain the charge sheet without success. “My client has the right

to a speedy trial and this is not acceptable. The state has had ample time to formulate the charge sheet,” Jeppe said. Jeppe said the “mammoth task” of describing each image in the charge sheet would take much longer than just three months, and that putting each count to his client would take even longer. “We will still be busy come Christmas next year.” He said the decision was puzzling, as the law allowed for all the images to be included in one count. Magistrate Eugenia Jacobs agreed and said, because this was a “serious case”, that she would allow one final postponement, but not the two to three months as was requested. She said she wanted the office of the DPP to consider the massive task of individually describing each image. “I urge that those involved in this case get their house in order, otherwise there will be no other option but to strike the matter

from the roll,” Jacobs said. Jeppe also again highlighted earlier discussions about reducing the number of images from about 179,000 to about 50,000 due to duplications, which Jacobs urged the DPP to consider as well. The matter was postponed to November 30. The 38-year-old computer engineer was arrested in January last year after international police swooped on his seaside home, where they allegedly found sections of files containing thousands of images and videos of child pornography as well as internet addresses of more than 300 other alleged paedophiles. His arrest was part of Operation Cloud 9 - cooperation between South African and Belgian police aimed at cracking down on an international child pornography network that included the distribution of thousands of images and video clips of infants being raped and tortured. Garden Route Media

News Briefs • Plett police on Monday confirmed an armed robbery that took place at a service station neighbouring the N2 in the early hours of October 13. “At 1:24am, five African males entered the Engen garage premises at Plett. Three suspects entered the shop and held the cashiers at gun point,” said Support head Lt Col SZ Palmer. “The suspects took money from the tills and cigarettes. During the robbery, a suspect took one of the victims’ vehicle, a green Audi, and they fled with the Audi and a Hyundai. The Audi and some money was later

recovered in Kareedouw. • Interested parties are invited to a liquor licenceholder information session on October 24 from 9-11am in the Lecture Room at Plett’s SAPS precinct, the purpose of which is to discuss the way forward for all licensed liquor premises. The session will be attended by officials of the Western Cape Liquor Authority and Designated Liquor Officer. • Jubilation ran high when the announcement was made during the WESSA (Wildlife and Environment Society of SA) national Blue Flag launch event at

Marina Beach on the KZN South Coast on October 7. Eden District again walked off with the prestigious Blue Flag-status for beaches at Wilderness and Mossel Bay, whereas two Knysna and five Plett beaches formed part of the 45 SA beaches scoring flags this year. • Congrats to Lilizela Awards 2016 winners Face Adrenaline Bungy as national winners in the Action Adventure category, Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours in the BEE category, and AfriCanyon as provincial winners in the Best Visitor Experience category.

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NEWS & VIEWS

19 October 2016

‘Where two bulls fight, it is only the grass that suffers,’ Bitou mayor Peter Lobese

LET’S STAND UNITED: From Bossiesgif to Beachy Head, first citizen Peter Lobese seeks to achieve unity among all races and classes in Bitou Municipality, and is well-versed in conflict mediation and management - Photo: Bitou Municipality

Mike Kantey

N Friday morning October 14, I was privileged to be granted an exclusive interview with cllr Peter Lobese, the mayor of Bitou Municipality, which governs the town of Plettenberg Bay and surrounds. My initial impressions of the man before his elevation to high office were pleasantly confirmed during the interview; he came across once more as a man of high intelligence mixed with much practical experience, having arrived here as a young man in the 1980s, when he was offered a job with the local Robberg Seafood-family. He had been sent here from a farm-workers family in the Eastern Cape, having completed what was then a Standard 8 school-leaving certificate, since no senior secondary schools were available in his home region. Through hard work and academic excellence, however (he remembers history as his favourite subject), young Peter completed his schooling and received a bursary to attend the firstyear Journalism course at Rhodes University, before completing his studies in Communications and Sociology at the well-respected Fort Hare College, once home to many of Africa’s greatest leaders. Having been fully employed by Robberg Seafood as a young man, he soon became involved in the labour movement, rising quickly to the post of Branch Secretary for the early Food and Allied Workers Union. This inevitably led to him being a rising star in the African National Congress (ANC), the SA Communist Party (SACP), and the

SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco). He eventually became chairman of Plett’s ANC branch. It was during this latter period that he witnessed fierce competition for power in local branch structures, but managed to stay apart from the angry factions which finally divided and demoralised the party to the extent that it lost control of the municipality in 2011. By this time, however, many of the more progressive forces in SA had lost patience with the leadership of the Tripartite Alliance (the ANC, SACP, and Congress of South African Trade Unions, or Cosatu) and had broken away or been purged to form the rainbow of parties we see today: the United Democratic Movement (UDM), Congress of the People (COPE), and Agang. One of the last breakaways or purges was that of Cosatu leader Zwelinzama Vavi and the National Union of Metalworkers (Numsa) under the leadership of Irwin Jim, from which faction the Active United Front, or AUF was born, with the support of many progressive forces in the civil society sector. Former Bitou mayor Memory Booysen was one of the victims of that period, but was quickly poached by the local Democratic Alliance (DA), and the DA and ANC continued forever on their constant war of words and financially ruinous visits to the courts. Against this personal and political background and after refusing offers to stand in previous elections, Peter Lobese gained a seat as an independent councillor in alliance with the ANC, but seeks more to achieve unity among

all races and classes in Bitou Municipality, from the backstreets of Bossiesgif to the Millionaire’s Row of Beachy Head Drive. As far as the new mayor is concerned, there is no disagreement about the importance of tourism as mainstay of Bitou’s economy, but he seeks to ensure that far more money is spent among local service providers than on imported companies without local offices or employees, or whose employment remains sporadic and underpaid. He bemoans the fact that over R230-million left our municipality in the last financial year, never to be seen again. Nevertheless, he strongly supports all local tourism initiatives, as well as the up-skilling of Plett service providers at all levels to increase the quantity and quality of longterm, sustainable jobs. Not only tourism, but also other sectors need to be opened up, explored, and strengthened to create employment across all areas: the ocean economy; viticulture and organic agriculture; sustainable forest harvesting; small-scale, high-end manufacturing aimed at gifting and the export market; as well as global ICT, media and entertainment all can make their contribution, in his view. As far as political battles are concerned, he is wellversed in conflict mediation and management. He quotes the traditional African idiom: “Where two bulls fight, it is only the grass that suffers.” A truly grassroots representative, we wish the new mayor all the patience and endurance of an ox in his honest endeavour to take Bitou Municipality to new heights of excellence in service to all.

NEWS & VIEWS

19 October 2016

CXPRESS

South African mountain clubbers celebrate 125 years, with ‘our’ Mervyn the oldest participant O fête the 125th birthday of the Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA) on October 8, members and friends headed for the hills in pursuit of scaling at least 125 peaks and climbing routes all around the world. The South Cape section of this historic club - the most recent of its 14 semi-independent branches to be established, and now an active 10 years old - were among

the most eager participants. Members of this local section climbed many peaks in recent months as part of celebratory activities, including the province’s highest peak, Seweweekspoortberg. But the main focus was on two very different outings on Saturday the 8th’s official birth date. Club members led by South Cape president Greg Devine spent the weekend in the Hex River Moun-

tains with Fonteintjiesberg as prime target. A more mature group of seven hikers joined the SCape’s oldest and most distinguished member, Crags resident Mervyn Prior (a CXPRESS friend since our feature on him in September 2012) in a coastal hike to the iconic Arch Rock near Keurboomstrand. Here, Mervyn - at 91 years of age the oldest celebrant in the national festivities -

Excerpts of the Fonteintjiesberg summit story

TURNING POINT: Bill Turner of George - in red jacket below, and above with fellow climbers on the summit of Fonteintjiesberg - celebrated his 82nd birthday on the same day as the MCSA hit 125 years young - Photos: Di Turner

N Monday’s edition of Outramps CREW Diaries, Diane Turner writes of her intrepid team’s-full schedule of the preceding week, including “the summit of Fonteintjiesberg [mentioned above] in the awe-inspiring Hex River Mountains at 1998m”. “We left on October

7 with the MCSA to spend a weekend climbing Fonteintjiesberg above Worcester. The trip coincided with [hubby] Bill’s 82nd birthday. “An amazing path, ascending in a series of zigzags, led us up to the Thomas Hut some way below and between Brandwacht

and Fonteintjiesberg peaks. “The lower section was covered by thriving vegetation, whilst the upper slopes had all been recently burnt. “There was no time for photographs on the ascent as the grim spectre of darkness drove us relentlessly on. The hut is perched on a cliff above a fast-flowing stream and there is running water and a gas stove inside. It must be one of the most attractive and comfortable mountain huts in the Western Cape. “The next morning we woke up to misty and cold conditions. It was an early start to reach the summit of Fonteintjiesberg. “The climb started with a clear path, but later rather infrequent cairns were the only route indicators in the swirling mist. Conditions when we reached the summit were icy and I rued the mittens instead of gloves. “From Fonteintjiesberg, the toughies traversed across to climb Brandwacht, while I made my way down at a more leisurely pace, hunting for plants that had survived the fire in the nooks and crannies amongst the rocks. There weren’t many of them.”

did a short rock climb up the Arch to demonstrate what a master he still is, before joining the rest of his group to toast the club and the mountains in an appropriate way. While the MCSA anniversary’s oldest participant climbed Arch Rock, the eight-month-old youngest ‘climber’ participated in a carrier on his dad’s back, scaling the Magaliesberg near Wonderboom. At another 125-year celebration event, four generations were present. Interesting peaks summited outside of SA in-

cluded Mt Jeonwu in South Korea, the Reunion island volcano Piton de la Fournaise, and Mt Kosciuszko in Australia. A night mountain rescue practice was conducted and fun events included a formal dinner on top of the Drakensberg at Mont Aux Sources, as well as a pizza and poker event on Popple Peak. The ‘peak-bagging’ period ran from October 1-16, affording as many people as possible the opportunity to participate. • The MCSA was founded on October 8, 1891 in

Cape Town and has 14 Sections geographically spread across South Africa. It is the only mountain club in Africa that is affiliated to the world mountaineering body, the UIAA. The MCSA offers mountaineering, which includes climbing of all types and hiking opportunities to its members, and is involved in mountain search and rescue, training, outreach, protection of mountain areas and procurement of access for mountaineering and climbing. Visit http:// cen.mcsa.org.za for additional information.

CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

19 October 2016

Wittedrift’s Quad Dash tradition continues despite bottle bash Bradley Raymond - Grade 9: Wittedrift High School

ITTEDRIFT High School has a proud tradition called the Quad Dash, which was started in the early 1990s, but last year almost came to a crashing halt. The Quad Dash occurs once a year on the last day of school in the third term. The challenge is for competitors to complete a run around the school quadrangle before an authentic old one-litre, long-necked Coca Cola glass bottle, filled with water, empties. This tradition has been going since 1991 and although many pupils throughout the years have attempted the challenge, only 41 challengers have beaten the emptying bottle over the last quarter century. Their names have been inscribed on the bottle. Sadly, during last year’s Quad Dash, the 25-yearold vessel became a fatality as headmaster Mr Marallich fumbled with the wet bottle and dropped it. As a result of this tragic event, we had a desperate need for a new bottle.

AND… HE’S OFF! A challenger prepares to try beating the bottle

HOPES NOT DASHED: Headmaster Jeremy Marallich with the broken bottle sporting names of the 41 successful challengers, and its replacement on which hopeful dashers would love to feature

Trying to find a replacement bottle proved almost a bigger challenge than the Dash, since Coca Cola had stopped making that particular design more than 20 years ago. The exact type of bottle is extremely important, as the emptying speed was perfect for the Quad Dash and had been our measure for 25 years. The new design onelitre bottle has a wider neck and empties too quickly. Thanks to a dedicated parent, many phone calls and a very kind production manager at Peninsula Beverages - Mr Mark van Gessellin, who took an interest in our plight - two replacement bottles were sourced and delivered to the school. The Quad Dash can now continue in its original format, and hopefully the new bottle will survive another 25 years. Huge thanks go to our caring parent and especially to Mr van Gessellin for the effort he put into finding these 20-plus-year-old bottles, allowing us to continue this great tradition at our ‘Small School with a BIG Heart’.

BUSINESS

19 October 2016

CXPRESS

Keep your old home as an investment T may be easier than you think to become a property investor: simply hang on to your existing home instead of selling it when you need to move. So says Gerhard Kotzé, new MD of the RealNet estate agency group, who notes that for some people, letting the property might actually make more sense than selling it, especially if they have already paid off most or all of the bond and are heading for retirement. “In such instances, they might well be able to rent it for an amount that would more than cover the remaining monthly bond repayment - while simultaneously hanging on to an asset that is not only ap-

Investor Focus

preciating but could generate an additional income for them in retirement.” However, before you decide to let your home, he says, you will need to make very sure that there is good demand for rental properties in your area. Your best way is to check with a reputable rental agent who can give you the statistics for the neighbourhood - and suggest a market-related rental to charge. “You will then be able to see if this would cover your bond instalment and preferably give you an extra amount each month for the rates on the property, as well as the regular maintenance and running repairs that are necessary

T is well documented that cash is a poor long-term investment. It does not grow, so it does not protect you from inflation, and the interest it earns is taxable. Its return declines in times of falling interest rates. In many parts of the ‘developed’ economies, it has become a liability as negative interest rates punish investors for holding cash. However, in the current environment of low growth, high inflation, high unemployment as well as political instability, investors are faced with an uncertain future, particularly in the short term. Many investors current-

gains tax if you later decide to sell the property after all.” In addition, he says, prospective landlords do need to be wary of dishonest or unreliable tenants, and make sure they do a full credit, reference and employment check before they hand anyone the keys to their property. “Indeed, your best bet is to appoint an experienced rental agent to help you find good tenants, ensure that your lease documentation is all fully compliant with the relevant legislation, collect the rent and manage the property. This is especially important if your new home is in a different town or city.”

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

Cash is king - or is it?

if you want to hang on to good tenants.” Kotzé says you will also need to work out if you are in a financial position to keep your existing home and buy a new one at the same time. “At the very least you will need to have a clean credit record and enough savings to cover a deposit on the new home as well as the transfer and legal costs - but once again, it is a good idea to seek professional advice on this issue, from a good mortgage originator and your financial planner. “You should also check out the tax implications, as you will need to pay tax on the rental income and possibly capital

ly hold a high percentage of their investments in cash. This can be in the form of bank deposits, Money Market funds, or short-term bonds. There are several advantages to holding cash at present: Risk management Cash can be considered a tool to manage the current downside risk that is evident in the current volatile markets. Opportunity management This serves as flexibility in that it allows an investor to take advantage of investment opportunities. Liquidity management This allows you to manage your short/mediumterm expenses and be

protected from violent market volatility. During the period from 2001 to August 2016, cash generated a return of 7.96%, bonds generated 10.12%, and equities generated 17.12%. This clearly shows the long-term benefit of holding equities; however, one must live through the volatility that goes with the higher returns. To reap this benefit, a long-term view is of the essence. A ‘multi-asset’ fund will offer the investor a degree of protection from the volatility. These funds are invested across several asset classes, including a percentage that will be invested offshore. These funds will cur-

rently have substantial cash holdings as a protection measure in the present uncertain climate. So while in the long term equities should be the investment of choice, the short term could be dictating that “cash is king” - or at least some cash in your portfolio. Another danger faced is when on the hunt for higher interest rates. Remember African Bank? It doesn’t pay to risk 100% of your capital for an extra 2% of interest! • Malcolm has been in the investment industry for 50 years. He has contributed this column to CXPRESS for the last 18 years and is a specialist in managing retired wealth.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL

CXPRESS

INTERVAL

19 October 2016

Words of wisdom

How many bricks?

HE wise old Mother Superior from county Tipperary was dying. The nuns gathered around her bed trying to make her comfortable. They gave her some warm milk to drink, but she refused it. Then one nun took the glass back to the kitchen. Remembering a bottle of Irish whiskey received as a gift the previous Christmas, she opened and poured a generous amount into the warm milk.

Back at Mother Superior’s bed, she held the glass to her lips. Mother Superior drank a little, then a little more. Before they knew it, she had drunk the whole glass down to the last drop. “Mother,” the nuns pleaded, “please give us some of your wisdom before you die.” She raised herself up in bed with a pious look on her face, and said: “Don’t sell that cow.”

HILE visiting Annapolis, a lady tourist noticed several students on their hands and knees assessing the courtyard with pencils and clipboards in hand. “What are they doing?” she asked the tour guide. “Each year,” he replied with a grin, “the upper-

classmen ask the freshmen how many bricks it took to finish paving this courtyard.” When they were out of earshot of the freshmen, the curious lady asked the guide: “So, what’s the answer?” The guide replied: “One.”

Visiting Grandma...

From the horse’s mouth jogger running down a country road is startled as a horse yells at him: “Hey, come over here buddy!” The jogger is stunned, but runs over to the fence where the horse is standing and asks: “Were you talking to me?” The horse replies: “Sure was. Man, I’ve got a problem. I won the Kentucky Derby a few years ago and this farmer bought me and now all I do is pull a plough and I’m sick of it. “Why don’t you run up to the house and offer

him $5,000 to buy me. I’ll make you some money ‘cause I can still run.” The jogger thinks to himself, ‘boy, a talking horse!’ Dollar signs start appearing in his head. So he runs to the house and find the old farmer sitting on the porch. The jogger tells the farmer: “Hey man, I’ll give you $5,000 for that old broken down nag you’ve got in the field.” The farmer replies: “Son, you can’t believe anything that horse says. He’s never even been to Kentucky.”

Grandma, I’m not really hungry. Just make me one meatball, please.

Keep the line open “HELLO, police department? I’ve lost my cat and… ” “I’m sorry, Lady, but this is not a police job. You can try calling…” “But you don’t understand, this is a very

intelligent cat. He is almost human. He can practically talk.” “Well, in that case, Ma’am, you’d better hang up. He may be trying to call you right now.”

Ok, Sweetie Pie! Just one...

SOCIAL SCENE

19 October 2016

CXPRESS

2016

PROVINCIAL W INNER VISITOR EXPERIENCE

People, places & events

SWEET 16 CELEBRATED: The Harkerville Saturday Market celebrated its 16th anniversary on October 15. Clockwise from top left, Jean Dawson of Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, whose birthday fell on October 17 - the birth date closest to the 15th of all persons at the market on that Saturday received a hamper of foodstuffs and flowers donated by vendors from the market’s resident music maestro and DJ, Graham Vos. At The Coffee Shop that began trading at the market’s inception were, from left, Gladys Ncapha and Vuyiwe Qhapha. One of the founder members of the market, Sasha Lewtschenko, was on duty at his stall, Sasha’s Biltong, as he has been every Saturday for the past 16 years. Everybody in SA knows how vitally important biltong is to the well-being of the country, so well done, Sasha! Timothy Twidle

Photo: Timothy Twidle

FOOTLOOSE ON THE MENEER: Ken des Ligneris shared this pic of himself and multitalented Plett local Anja Wiehl, writing: “Saturday October 8 saw the Tour de Plett half-marathon route race starting from Wittedrift and finishing on Central Beach… 61.8km later. A novice MTB cyclist tackling her first race, Miss Anja Wiehl made the most of The Meneer - the castle of the route - in ‘lite’ of good support from yours truly with a well-deserved refreshment at the apex of the Meneer. Refreshments were also shared with other riders that passed by, ‘footless’ grounding on their way.” Visit the gallery at www.cxpress.co.za for some pretty Tour de Plett pics shot by Martin Hurwitz.

GEESE AND SHOREBIRDS AND DOGGY DATES TO DIARISE: On the shores of the Knysna Lagoon, a squad of Egyptian goslings steps forth with ranks neatly dressed, escorted by mother goose and father gander. On the subject of feathered friends, a talk on current research and shorebird conservation on the beaches of Plett, Keurboomstrand and Nature’s Valley takes place at St Peter’s Anglican Church at 6pm on October 24. Email Dr Mark Brown at info@naturesvalleytrust.co.za for details. Another not-to-be-missed presentation will be held at Plett Angling Club at 5:30 for 6pm on October 20, when E2A presents ‘Making sense of CITES’ along with ‘Blood Lions’ eco warrior Ian Michler, who attended the recently-held conference in Joburg. There will be a short overview of the 2016 Eden to Addo Great Corridor Hike and drinks will be available from the bar. On October 22 it’s time for the ever-popular 4XPAWS Walk from Longstone Park behind BI KwikSpar. Registration is at 8:30, the walk starts at 8:45, and all dog lovers are invited to this major-fun fundraiser. Call Di on 082 569 2571 and see the advert on page 11 for additional info. Knysna Garden Club will meet on October 26 at 9:45 for 10am at Bosky Dell, on the Plett N2 opposite The Heath. The rose garden is magnificent and Rae Gilbert will give a talk and tips on growing roses. Finally, join the Freaky Circus crew for its Halloween party at Zanzibar in Plett on October 29 - check the advert on this page for details - and take note that the new Plett Rotary calendar (see the teaser on page 5) is available today from Village Bookshop in Main Street and PNA at The Market Square.

IN THE MIX: Finalists of the Drawn Mixed Pairs Championship that took place at the Plettenberg Bay Country Club’s bowls section earlier this month were Wolfgang Stephan and Nita Davis, here receiving the cup from committee member Karin Mathies, right.

CXPRESS

19 October 2016

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

19 October 2016

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

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

To Plett Tourism CEO Peter Wallington... I write to congratulate you and the Plett Tourism team on the splendid quality of events held in Plettenberg Bay this month, namely the Sasfin investment presentation and panel discussion at The White House Venue & Theatre on Friday October 7, and the Sasfin Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival at Central Beach on Saturday October 8 and Sunday the 9th. The former occasion included a thought-provoking overview of the South African economy by Frans Cronjé of the

Institute for Race Relations, together with possible scenario options for the future, and the panel discussion engaged with all sectors of the local community, including erstwhile business people and entrepreneurs from KwaNokuthula. The Sasfin Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival held in that huge tent - almost a temporary building - was well thought through. The good attendance demonstrated that the advertising and promotion of the event during the months and weeks lead-

Anybody able to shed more light on this ‘UFO’?

IS IT A FLOAT, IS IT A FLYING MACHINE…? About the size of the chassis of an SUV vehicle, this strange configuration washed up on the beach at Nature’s Valley recently Photo: Marc Rogers

I recently found the contraption pictured here washed up on the rocks in the tidal zone halfway between Nature’s Valley Café and Salt River, and wasn’t sure if this was the remains of an Unidentified Flying- or Floating Object. About the size of the chassis of an SUV vehicle, its very strange configuration was unlike anything I have ever seen. SANParks employees at the beach told me that members of the public had taken pieces of the structure and thereafter they also removed parts of what looks like machinery, which they are keeping at their premises. They mentioned that some of the components were made of rubber and cavities inside the structure had been filled with

liquid Styrofoam. They said it is thought to be part of an ocean going vessel, but I doubt if that is correct, since ocean vessels are made of steel (or stainless steel) in which case it would not have floated on the ocean currents. The ‘UFO’ seems to be made of an aluminiumtype metal like what aircraft are made from. According to Marc Rogers of Plett NRSI, it is the main part of a float that is used when oil is transferred from one ship to another out in the deep sea. The question that now arises is whether there is a connection between this ‘UFO’ and the recent oil spill off Algoa Bay that caused many penguins to be treated for oil contamination at the Cape St Francis rehab centre. John Mulder, Plett

ing up to the festival paid off handsomely, as people from as far afield as Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Johannesburg and many other parts of South Africa visited the festival. The stalls of the wine estates and eateries were beautifully presented and burnished with lovely floral displays. There was good wine to be tasted and relished, delicious food, much good music and the festival had a lovely, re-

laxed, friendly ambiance throughout the two days. Well done to Plett Tourism, Bitou Municipality, the wine estates and wine growers of the Plettenberg Bay Winelands, the local eateries present and everybody else involved with carrying off a wine festival of note. Many wine aficionados are already looking forward to the next festival in 2017! TR Twidle, Plett

Help us fight the darkness Plett Rage is coming soon and because of all the street lights that are out, our streets are dark and unsafe. This appears to be the result of poor management over a long period of time. Given the large number of lights (at least 35 on Main Street alone), it is time for council to step in, direct what remedial action needs to be taken, and monitor the situation in the medium term to ensure good management practices are adhered to. How about asking for quarterly reports in council? Could cllr Craig sub-

mit a motion for the next council meeting, instruct the responsible department to do an audit of the entire town to determine how many lights are out overall, get the materials in to fix all the street lights, and have them fixed within two weeks after the meeting? You need to respond to your voters that it has been dealt with, and give us regular updates. Because this is a public problem, and not a personal problem, we are asking you to use this channel to keep us updated. Sam Gallagher, Plett

Is that really the best you straights can do? I watched, earlier, the YouTube thingy showing the clipping of The Donald [Donald Trump] that has probably scuppered any chance of his achieving the presidency. The worst thing of it was, actually, seeing the sort of male companions he surrounds himself with. I have to admit, with my advancing age and hopefully-increased touch of wisdom, there is germinating within me a growing distaste for the Western heterosexual male, and also an increas-

ing contempt for the heterosexual womenfolk who put up with/encourage his behaviour and attitudes. The actor De Niro came over the air saying he’d like to punch the “bozo” Trump in the face; well, just by his words, he actually DID! So perhaps we will be saddled with Hillary, and all I have to ask is: is that really all the “straight” people can come up with?! If Mr God made the whole lot in His image, He is incompetent. QED. MR, Plett

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Plett’s Anns are grateful The Rotary Anns of Plett thank all the kind people who donate clothing and household goods to us. The monies raised from the sales of these items

go into helping the more needy members of our community. Thank you so much! Carole Damp obo Plett Rotary Anns

designdesign, the brainchild of me, Alice, a graphic designer, visual artist, digital manipulator,

i am also

a mother, a wife, a

daughter, a sister, a friend

and in the face of deadlines

creative, creator, daydreamer, a contortionist. I have dogs, thinker and all round ideas-girl. a cat, two goldﬁsh, a home, I pay taxes. i have tattoos. Unconventional – yes.i breathe colour,

think in shapes and when I design, it’s love that moves my hand

for the aesthetic, for typography, for bold lines and daring design.love i get a kick out of composition and get goosebumps when I see visual harmony emerge on paper or pixel.

i live to design and design to live. What inspires me? Life, love, smiles, drinking coffee, modernity, clean lines borne of clever thought, art, illustrations, good food, great typography. Everything inspires,

from manga, music, movies, a colour swatch to the shapes of trees, birds on a wire. My ideas stem from simplicity a life less complicated and complemented by design that echoes such. I don’t just design, I create.I think out of the box, I rethink the box. Break it down, turn it inside out and upside down so that at the end of it, it’s not a box but whatever it is Life’s short, live it with

you want it to be.

endless love and reckless abandon. Dance when people are watching, paint your walls all shades of awesome, laugh

often, have fun and just

CXPRESS

SPORT & ADVENTURE

19 October 2016

Kurlandbrik Robberg Xpress 2016 a raving exemplar of trail-running excellence LETT Athletics Club hosted a total of 178 runners on Sunday October 9, ready to tackle the magnificent trails of Robberg Nature Reserve. Two routes were available to run or walk: the 5km family-friendly Shy Shark, and the tough, highly technical full Robberg Xpress that traverses the entire peninsula. The day’s youngest competitor, Jeandre, was only five years old and had great fun on the 5km route alongside her dad, while the oldest runner, Peter Brown, will be celebrating his 80th birthday this week! Peter ran the full 10km in 2 hours 6 minutes, accompanied by four generations of his family of runners. The 10km men’s race was won by Rodney Prins of EPA Club in 50:15, followed closely by Melikhaya Msizi of Knysna Marathon Club in 50:32, while third place was taken by Sinesipo Didishe, also from Knysna Marathon Club, in 52:20. The 10km ladies race was won by international athlete Cathrine Williamson from York in England in a time of 1:05. Cathrine was in the country to compete in a stage mountain bike race, and was also the first lady to cross the finishing line in the previous day’s Tour de Plett an amazing achievement. Second in the ladies 10km was Plett’s own Mary Rose Anderson in a time of 1:09, while Lisa Grobler of Knysna Marathon Club took third place in 1:10. The 5km Shy Shark run was won by talented athlete Jason Swemmer from The

CLEAN SWEEPERS: Some of the marshals and sweepers who ensured that trails were left with no debris or injured runners after the Kurlandbrik Robberg Xpress were, from left, Georgie, Tanya, Sivuyile, Vuyani, Dave - aka Dr Dave Barnes, who kindly conducted a safety and emergency race plan - Meyer, Eric, Ettiene, Mike, and Redd

Crags, followed by Rob Welsh and little Luke van Blommenstein, 9, who shared third spot with dad Andrew. Congratulations to every runner out there on that beautiful Sunday! Says Vicci Meggersee of Plett Athletics Club: “We extend huge gratitude to Kurlandbrik, who has generously sponsored this event from its inception three years ago. It was great to have Raygan, Tammi, and Travis with us on the day. “We are indebted to CapeNature for allowing the run on Robberg and look forward to growing this event with them, as well as to the organisers of Tour de Plett and the Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival for partnering with us.” Others featuring on the club’s thankyou list include the NSRI crew who ran the route and were available to help in case of emergency, and their team mates on standby at the base; Tsitsikamma Water for again sponsoring water at the fin-

ish line; and Steve Bebbington for taking awesome action photographs. Plett Ski-boat Club hosts PAC members during their weekly time trials throughout the year and sponsored vouchers on race day; Spur fed hungry runners; Medlife Ambulance was on standby; and Dr Dave Barnes conducted an accident and emergency assessment for the race. “To the committee members who have worked on this event since March and to club members who helped on the day, you are the best,” she says, adding a big shout-out to prize sponsors Ingwe Forest Adventures, Giraffe View Safari Camp, Luka Wines, Aromaflex Spirts Massage, Hanlie Sinclair, Pennypinchers Plett and its Adventure Racing Team, Plett Sports, and Curves Plett. Full race results are available on www. racingsnake.net thanks to Carl Behrns, who created this online entry system for the club.

Marc shatters the sub-four mark again

The relentlessly technical 42km Otter African trail was run in reverse last weekend, as is the case every second year. Known as the Retto, several of the same contenders who braved the Grail of Trail before tackled the 2016 sprint from Nature’s Valley to Storms River mouth. With a combination of fynbos-lined single track, rocky coastal sections, pebbled beaches, slippery forest paths, inexorable trail stairs, slippery river crossings and nearly 2,500m ascent over the marathon-distance course, there is little room for error if speed is the objective. With just one aid station, the GU Munchie Point at halfway mark, runners carry their own fuel and water, along with mandatory trail gear. In the end, last year’s Otter winner and first-ever athlete to crack the sub fourhour mark, Switzerland’s Marc Lauenstein, above, again wowed the crowd at Storms River Campsite when he took top spot in yet another unbelievable time of 3:54:22, scooping up the R100,000 sub-four incentive cash prize booty. He was followed by Kane Reilly in a new SA record of 4:17:22 with Christiaan Greyling third, also finishing below the previous SA record in 4:19:40. The ladies did not leave the crowd waiting for long: Robyn Owen, below, set a new course record of 4:49:45. She was followed by Stevie Kremer (US) in 4:52:26 and Nicolette Griffioen in just over five hours. Of the Otter 2016 top 10, four were women - visit www.otter.run for full results. Photos: Magnetic South

Go fly a kite in Eden! HE second Eden Kite Festival takes place at the Karatara Grounds on October 23. After a tremendously successful inaugural event in 2015, this year will see a much bigger line-up of entertainment for the whole family with food, arts and craft stalls and kite-fliers from around South Africa and five other countries. Brainchild of well-travelled kite-flier Keith Mould, the event will see kiters from the UK and Netherlands returning this year, as well as competitors from Canada, Germany and Singapore, each sporting a unique signature style. “We also have Craig Hansen from New Zealand joining us,” says Keith. His company makes the world’s largest kites, and Craig has made journeys across the Sahara and Mongolia on a kite-drawn three-wheeled buggy. “Between the international contingent and the South African kiters you can look forward to a truly spectacular display, from intricately designed artistic kites to three-dimensional kites up to 30 metres long and five metres high. Yes, you could walk around inside some of them!” The event is in aid of Masithandane and all proceeds go directly towards their Care and Respite programme. Contact Belinda Hobson on 044 343 2007 or at belinda@visitknysna.co.za for additional information.