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1 April 2015

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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Jump for joy!

As part of its Travellers’ Choice Awards 2015, TripAdvisor recently released a list of the top 10 places to visit in South Africa, with Knysna and Plett featuring in second and fourth spots respectively... Awesome news! The Mother City came out tops but if you’re after clean air and having family fun in prime countryside holiday destinations - and do some dolphin spotting (see page 2) - you’ve come to the right place.

We wish our residents and visitors, loyal readers and esteemed advertisers a wonderful Easter.

Twelve new schools for Eden p3

Patricia de Lille says thanks p6

Things to do these holidays p13 & 15

It’s Plett Easter Games time p20

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

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CXPRESS

News & Views

1 April 2015

Know your bottlenose from your humpback and share your sightings Coordinator of the Garden Route Dolphin Research and Acoustic Monitoring Project Dr ALEJANDRA VARGAS FONSECA provided this latest update on her team’s marine mission, with pointers on how readers can get involved HE coastal zone along

each encounter is recorded.

Monthly aerial surveys are conducted to search for the presence of animals along the coastline and an identification catalogue of bottlenose and humpback dolphins is being created based on both archived and new photos.

Dorsal fin photo-identification allows individual dolphins to be identified by unique patterns and markings (e.g. fin deformities, unusual fin shapes, scratches, etc.).

DNA laboratory analysis of skin and blubber samples will improve understanding of the different groups of bottlenose dolphins present in the area throughout the year.

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Our 10 000 free copies are distributed every Wednesday to a multitude of outlets along the Garden Route, with emphasis on Knysna and Plett and drop-offs at *Sedgefield Tourism *Caltex StarMart in Wilderness *Lynn Schroeder, Build It and other select outlets in George *Storms River Village and Bridge in Tsitsikamma - phone 044 533 1004 (o/h) with distribution queries.

If you’ve missed out on a hard copy, read the electronic version online at www.cxpress.co.za

the Garden Route is well known for its high marine diversity, including marine mammals, seabirds, fish, and invertebrates.

To conserve these precious coastal ecosystems, three Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been proclaimed: Goukamma (14km, est. 1990), Robberg (9.5km, est. 2000), and Tsitsikamma (57km, est.

1964 - SA’s oldest MPA).

MPAs serve as vital refuges for both fish and marine top predators (e.g. dolphins), but it is not certain whether their coverage meets the conservation needs of key species.

The Garden Route Dolphin Research project aims to better understand how these marine top predators use their habitat along South Africa’s coast. It is looking at the role of existing MPAs in terms of whether particular cetaceans are of conservation concern and require some form of management intervention.

For example, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species currently lists the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Uqwuc" ejkp/ gpuku) as a near-threatened species, and the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Vwtukqru" cfwpewu) as “data deficient”, meaning that too little is currently known about its global and regional status.

So the study of dolphins and whales along the Garden Route is necessary to assess the role and effectiveness of MPAs for cetacean conservation; improve knowledge and understanding of the ecology

COMPARING DOLPHIN NOTES: From the top, the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, and LongBeaked common dolphin - Photos: Ashton, N&B 2012 Watching Whales & Dolphins in SA, Struik Nature

and conservation status of various marine mammal species; and provide scientific information of practical relevance to regional conservation management.

The project is taking place from the eastern boundary of the Tsitsikamma MPA through to the western boundary of the Goukamma MPA, including the Robberg Peninsula MPA. All three MPAs are adjacent to a terrestrial Nature Reserve or National Park. The total research area covers ±170km of coastline.

The project aims to improve understanding of the population abundance, movement, habitat use, and genetic structure of the area’s Indo-Pacific bottlenose and humpback

dolphins.

It assesses the connectivity between MPAs in terms of how dolphins move and utilise the study area, while identifying dolphin feeding hotspots and associated areas of high ecosystem productivity.

Finally, it analyses vocalisations of the cetacean species present in the area throughout the year.

Methods employed to achieve these aims include bi-monthly boat surveys for two years to locate dolphins and conduct detailed observations. Animals are photographed and GPS coordinates, environmental variables, group size, composition (e.g. presence of mothers with calves), and behaviour from

CEQWUVKE" OQPKVQTKPI"RTQLGEV The Department of Environmental Affairs (Oceans & Coasts) has deployed three hydrophone moorings in the area. Hydrophones are similar to microphones, but instead detect underwater sound.

These instruments are constantly recording sounds from whales and dolphins that pass through the area during the year, and form part of a long term Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) programme.

PAM is a cost-effective and non-intrusive method for obtaining important information about cetaceans. Visit www.conserbio.org to listen to some of the sounds made by whales and dolphins as collected by the hydrophone.

Dg"rctv"qh"vjg"rtqlgev# If you spot dolphins, please SMS the following information to 078 550 1742: • Type of dolphin/s (the most likely species to be seen along our coast are Indo-Pacific bottlenose, Indo-Pacific humpback, and Long-Beaked common dolphins - see images).

• Number of dolphins (approximate) and location, e.g.

‘Bottlenose, 30-40 animals, 100m off Sanctuary Beach’.

If you are not sure of the species, just SMS number and location.

Sponsors to support the project are now sought - please email ale@earthcollective.net and visit www.conserbio.org for additional information.

News & Views

1 April 2015

CXPRESS

Out of control learner influx from Eastern Cape costing public over R226-million

Eden will be home to 12 new schools over the next few years as the Western Cape Education Department strives to deal with the massive migration of learners to the province - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports the public purse R226.548- only served to question peo-

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URRENTLY there are seven schools in the department’s management plan set to be completed over the next three to four years at a cost of R365-million.

During a recent visit to George after delivering his provincial budget speech in Cape Town, Western Cape Finance MEC Ivan Meyer revealed that a further R319million had been set aside for education in Eden District this year and that an additional five more schools was to be built to deal with growing demand in the region.

One of the major reasons for establishing more schools is addressing the pressure on resources due to the thou-

Primary and Senior Secondary Schools in Knysna, Thembalethu Primary and Senior Secondary Schools in George, and Rose Valley Primary in Oudtshoorn.

Meyer said further primary and secondary schools were also on the cards for George as well as another primary school for Knysna and one each for Hessequa and Mossel Bay. “The schools are being built to meet the demand of migration into this province.

There are also currently new housing developments in the pipeline for Thembalethu and Rosedale over the next three years,” department spokesman Jessica Shelver said.

‘Last year a total number of 19,857 learners left the Eastern Cape - which only managed a 65.4% matric pass rate in 2014 compared to the Western Cape’s 82.2% - to continue their education here’ sands of learners who annually flock to the Western Cape from poorer performing areas.

Most of the leaners who make their way to the provinces come from the Eastern Cape, making up more than 80% or 124,729 of the 154,801 learners who have headed to the Western Cape over the past five years.

This figure is set to rise this year, with more than 18,879 learners from the Eastern Cape (Grade R-12) having already made the move to greener pasture during the first term.

Last year a total number of 19,857 learners left the Eastern Cape, which only managed a 65.4% matric pass rate in 2014 compared to the Western Cape’s 82.2%, to continue their education here.

New schools to be constructed include Kranshoek and KwaNokuthula Primary Schools in Plett, Concordia

She added that on average every learner in the Western Cape cost the public purse R12,000 annually. “This includes their norms and standards allocations and educator salaries averaged on a perlearner basis.”

Shelver said the influx of 154,891 learners over the past five years had cost the department R1.85-million. Of these learners 124,729 were from the Eastern Cape, 7,948 from Gauteng, 4,610 from the Northern Cape, 2,159 from KwaZulu-Natal, 2,088 from the Free State, 920 from Mpumalanga, 848 from the North West Province, 695 from Limpopo, and 10,894 from other countries.

“The highest influx annually is from the Eastern Cape. The inflow of learners from this province over the past year cost the department R238million and is already costing

million this year. This is not including infrastructure costs.

“If we consider the fact that an average new brick and mortar school costs R30million and a mobile school R6.5-million, the 32 schools that have and will be built here have cost the state about R795-million over a sevenyear period.”

“In addition, the department has provided additional mobiles at existing schools. On average, a mobile classroom costs R240,000.”

But E-Cape Education Department spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said blaming the migration to the Western Cape on the province’s poor performance was not fair.

“The assertion that pupils are moving to other provinces in search of better education is an untested oversimplification as it ignores past historical labour migration trends that still manifests today,” Pulumani said.

“It’s a fact that in the past the major apartheid cities only sought out cheap labour from the Eastern Cape reserves of Transkei and Ciskei. That is why the majority of the workforce in the Cape Town docks, the farmlands and wineries and factories and in the mines of the Free State and Gauteng continue to be drawn from our province.

“Increasingly, since 1994, families have now been able to be reconciled and live together in those urban centres because previous restrictions on movement have been rescinded by the democratic dispensation.

“It is therefore only logical and natural that some of our learners will opt to join their parents wherever they ply their trade.”

Pulumani said the continuing insinuations otherwise was baffling as it seemingly

ple’s right to exercise their freedom to move anywhere.

“It would seem the erstwhile charge of some being refugees in the Western Cape continues unabated.”

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News & Views

1 April 2015

Adventure guides did all in power to save life lost

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N Thursday March 26, Plett’s NSRI siren alerted the town that someone was in trouble, somewhere in Bitou. The duty crew reacted to a Mountain Rescue report of a man swept down Salt River in The Crags when his group was caught in a flash flood while kloofing (or “canyoning”).

Says station commander Deon Truter: “Four tourists and two guides were in the group and while in the process of escaping from the flood the Belgian man, 29, was swept away and the alarm was immediately raised.”

Rescue teams sped to the location about 12km upstream from the river mouth,

while a Red Cross Skymed helicopter was dispatched to join Plett Mountain Rescue on the scene.

An NSRI rescue swimmer and Mountain Rescue member were deployed from the helicopter to the site where the body of the man, confirmed to be deceased, was recovered.

The flood occurred after an unexpected cloudburst

(100mm instead of the 3mm forecast) in The Crags. The canyoning company’s director immediately checked the river and contacted the four guides leading two groups of four and seven respectively, instructing them to exit the river at once.

The guides had already noticed the rapidly rising levels and the larger group found an escape route and aborted

the trip, but the smaller group behind them was surrounded by vertical canyon walls and forced to continue until an escape could be found.

This is according to a statement released on March 28, which continues: “Through massive effort and at considerable risk, three Belgian clients and two guides were extracted from the river and brought to safety.

New sustainable transport plan for Garden Route a global trendsetter Following the recent hike in the fuel price and talk of another imminent R2/litre hike, coupled with further crippling load-shedding for five years, the good news is that the Western Cape Government and Transnet have been hard at work and are about to announce some truly imaginative plans to boost the economy and tourism along the Garden Route.

High speed trains cannot make frequent stops to accommodate individual passengers, but Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) concepts can.

They can offer travellers a 24/7 on-demand service unparalleled by any other transportation system (see http://

faculty.washington.edu/jbs/ itrans/).

The array of high costs, congestion, sacrifices of land, air quality, noise pollution - not to mention the high death toll - are crippling motoring. The PRT concept now boasts decades of research and systems are sufficiently advanced to be both implementable and highly competitive for personal and good transportation.

The Garden Route provides an ideal location for launching this new field of high tech.

The double-lane guideway will be elevated above the corridor provided by the defunct railway between George and Knysna.

The PRT service, with nu-

merous stops, will be extended to Plett and the George Airport. The cost of air tickets could optionally include the PRT journey to the airport and back, with trips being scheduled to coincide with departures and arrivals.

The scenic ‘hand-free’ elevated ride will be solar-powered and the ground surface landscaped and paved for cycling, with refreshment stops and links to residential, recreational and tourist destinations.

The combined effect will be efficient, safe and affordable personalised transportation that is non-polluting with no age restriction, together with the finest bicycle facilities anywhere. This is also a great

“Tragically, the fourth client was pulled under the floodwater, despite wearing a lifejacket.

“The aftermath has been shattering for all of those involved. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the young man who lost his life.”

The Belgian Consulate is assisting the deceased man’s family abroad.

The death knell has sounded for return of our Choo-Tjoe It seems that a company called Huli Civils Contractors intend to construct a road on the disused Knysna railway bridge. They have completed feasibility studies and plans have already been drawn up!

A Stop/Go system is apparently envisaged. Am I the only one thinking that this is a very foolish idea? flQnf"Mp{upc"Tgukfgpv‚ example of imaginative departmental thinking and commitment. Bravo!

Rtq/RTV."Rngvv

News & Views

1 April 2015

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OBITUARY

Pearls and Fittipaldi, Aznavour and Elizabeth... celebrating the life of Angela Embleton Angela Embleton 18 April 1936 - 23 March 2015

GOTTA LOVE LIFE: This photo of Angela, with Florence as backdrop, was taken by her daughter, Peta-May Law, during an Italian sojourn in September 2009 - we thank her and brother Giles for sharing this story and image

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NGELA was born at home in Pretoria, the youngest daughter of Professor Eddie and Gladys Malan (née Bowman). Her parents loved entertaining and she had many happy childhood memories of parties; hers often took place at the Pretoria Zoo, as her father was Chairman of the Board.

She matriculated from Pretoria Girls High in 1954. An abiding memory of those years was winter afternoons with her father at Loftus, eating biltong and watching the Dnqw" Dwnng. She remained a staunch supporter all her life.

In 1955, her parents took

her on a “grand tour” of Europe. On her return she pursued a career as a journalist - an apt profession as she was always genuinely interested in people and a good listener.

Angela started on the women’s pages at Rtgvqtkc"Pgyu and women were not particularly welcome in news rooms in the 1950s. However, after campaigning, a few years later she did join the Tcpf" Fckn{" Ockn news room crew in Johannesburg.

In 1961, she married Nick Embleton. They had two children, Peta-May and Giles, and enjoyed 45 years of happy marriage, in Johannesburg.

La Luna

Once her children were born, Angela went on to have a successful career as a features writer on magazines.

She interviewed some interesting characters, including Pierre Balmain, Hardy Amies, Mountbatten, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Robert Mitchum, Topol and Charles Aznavour.

She played golf with Hugh Baiocchi and drove round Kyalami with then F1 champion Fittipaldi.

Her last nine years, resident at Formosa Garden Village (FGV) in Plett, were very happy. She threw herself into Village life and loved her involvement with the U3A, where she served as chairman.

She also served on the FGV executive committee, played bridge, and was a member of the Plett historical and birding societies.

Angela was a strong character and although dogged by ill health for many years, particularly the last two, she was determined to live a full life in her beautiful cottage.

Angela was always elegantly turned out with perfect hair and make-up and a string of pearls.

She died peacefully on Monday April 23, surrounded by her family. She is sorely missed by friends, family, children and grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at FGV on Thursday April 2 at 2:30 for 3pm.

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News & Views

1 April 2015

Cape Town mayor praises Bitou’s brave fire fighters Words & photo: Timothy Twidle

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HREE volunteer fire fighters from Bitou, who travelled to Cape Town to assist with combating the fires that raged through the city’s metropolitan area earlyMarch, were officially recognised during a function at the municipality’s Fire and Disaster Department premises in Plett on Friday March 27.

On hand to do the honours was City of Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille, who hit the long road east to present certificates of gratitude to Eben van Huyssteen, Ian Barnard and Steve Myburgh.

All volunteer members of the Plett South Fire Protection Association, which covers Kranshoek and Harkerville, the trio joined forces at the scene of the conflagration with Josh Martin. A former Bitou Fire Protection Association member, Martin now lives in Somerset West.

The function was hosted by Bitou mayor Memory Booysen, who welcomed everyone before he called upon De Lille to address the gathering.

“The City of Cape Town recognises the brave men and women who came forward heroically to help us in our hour of need,” said De Lille.

“Your selfless efforts and

dedication to serve in the cause of protecting life, property and the environment are greatly appreciated. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.”

Van Huyssteen was unable to attend and Martin was represented by his father, Aubrey Martin.

Said Myburgh: “It was very intense and we worked long hours, but we were able to save lives and houses and the community supported us.”

Barnard simply remarked: “It was well worth it.”

The function was attended

by Fire and Disaster Department members and senior officials of Bitou Municipality.

COLLECTIVE CONGRATS: Present to recognise local fire fighters’ efforts in the Cape were, at back from left, Hedley Venter of Bitou Fire and Disaster Services, acting municipal manager Reginald Smit, volunteer fire fighters Ian Barnard and Steve Myburgh, Public Safety manager Andile Sakati and Adriaan Swanepoel of Bitou Fire and Disaster; in front from left are George Mongolisi Lot of Bitou Fire and Disaster, Mayoral Office manager Siphiwe Dladla, Bitou mayor Memory Booysen, City of Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille, head of Community Services Monde Stratu and mayoral PA Thandi Sibhengile

Geyser capacity and verification audit now on the go in Bitou

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SKOM and Bitou Municipality joined forces to install a residential load management (or geyser control) system in Plett.

These geyser relays or units were installed to enable the municipality to move a substantial portion of the residential evening peak geyser load to the off-peak period (after 8pm), when there is less strain on the national electricity grid.

A total of 970 new relays were installed and 780 old re-

lays were reconnected which brings the total number of relays that can be managed by the municipality during peak demand times to 1,750.

Bitou Municipality and Eskom thank Plett residents for their positive attitudes and support in allowing the installation of these relays.

As part of an auditing process by Energy Insight (Pty) Ltd, homes in the following areas of Plettenberg Bay will be visited by two technicians as part of a capacity and

verification audit undertaken from March 25 to May 29: • Plettenberg Bay Central • Whale Rock • Robberg • Longships • Piesang Valley • Brackenridge • Poortjies • Marine Way area • Beacon Way area According to Energy Insight project manager Willie Botha, the aim is to verify whether all relays are in a To Page 8

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Business

1 April 2015

Property, developments, business on the move in Knysna and Plett This update and Easter greetings come from the pen of LING DOBSON, owner principal of Pam Golding Properties Knysna and Plett

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UMMER - filled with lots of activity coupled with good weather, the ‘Naturally Knysna’ and the special ‘Plett Feeling’ - is slowly fading, yet we are still enjoying balmy sunny days.

May I take this opportunity to wish ALL our Pam Golding Properties clients a wonderful Easter weekend with friends and family. I can smell the cinnamon of hot cross buns coupled with some good Plett bubbles.

We seem to have enjoyed yet another bumper season with numbers far exceeding previous seasons, with restaurants, beaches and every conceivable entertainment fully subscribed.

On the property front we are experiencing an increase in activity, and not only at the lower end of the market.

While the Budget speech created an unfounded stir, we are still experiencing interest from foreign buyers and many South Africans who are looking for a better lifestyle.

Pam Golding Properties Knysna and Plett have experienced the best turnover ever, showing growth of 43% over the previous year. We have seen a renewed interest in purchase of vacant land, with many new builds already in process.

The Knysna developments of Fernwood and Woodlands on Simola are now actively moving!

The Knysna-Plett area of the Garden Route is geared now to accommodate all those seeking to make the change from the big cities.

Our schools are experiencing many new entrants; the new International School in Knysna has proved very popular and numbers are steadily growing.

We have additional airlines flying into the area with exciting and affordable prices and offering special return

fares for businessmen and holidaymakers.

And those business people who need to spend a few hours working can use the facilities of the Director’s Club in Knysna which offers all the facilities required to accommodate demands. The Director’s Club will soon be opening new offices in Plett as well as other destinations around South Africa.

Pam Golding Properties has put together a special package for our clients wanting to come down to view properties, with CemAir to fly into Plett from Joburg and Cape Town, and offering accom-

WORKING FOR WOODLANDS: Breaking ground at the Woodlands Development in Simola

modation at Hunters and Pezula Conrad.

Please contact Shona on 044 382 5574 at our Knysna

office for further information, and see the advert on page 9 for listings in Plett and Knysna.

Geyser audit now on the go in Bitou

SOLE TECHIES: Jason van Rooyen, left, and Chadd Botha are the only technicians to whom you should grant access during the current geyser capacity and verification audit

From page 6 workable condition and also to verify the exact number of relays that are being controlled by the municipality.

There will be no cost to the homeowner.

Technicians Jason van Rooyen and Chadd Botha are employed by Energy Insight and will present proper identity cards displaying logos of Eskom, Bitou Municipality, Energy Insight and EOH. Access should only be granted to these two technicians upon displaying their ID cards.

Residents who are not at home during the day, are requested to contact willieb@ energyinsight.co.za or ruxan new@energyinsight.co.za, to arrange a time convenient for a visit. Further enquiries can be directed to Energy Insight on 012 345 5215 or at willeb@energyinsight.co.za or email Anna-Marie Roux at am@commxellence.co.za.

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Plett property market all set to take flight again P

LETTENBERG Bay has experienced a dramatic improvement in its economic fortunes in recent months and an extremely positive spinoff for its real estate market. So says John Fuller, owner of the local Chas Everitt International franchise.

“The profile of the town has really been lifted recently with four of its beaches being awarded Blue Flag-status, the local airport having been re-opened and some spectacular new developments being brought to market here.

“The demand for homes here is now at its best since 2005 and we are expecting real price growth for the first time in years in the wake of the current influx of semigrants and retirees.”

Fuller says buyers are looking to relocate to Plett from other provinces because it has “a rare combination of small town values and big city standards”, and that it is also a popular choice for European buyers who visit between October and March each year to enjoy the won-

Investor Focus

TAKE MY BREATH AWAY: This magnificent five-bedroom home in Plett’s Schoongezicht security estate is for sale through Chas Everitt International for R10.5-million - built on three levels, it offers 805m² of living space and spectacular ocean and golf course views; it is being sold fully furnished and there is no transfer duty payable

derful climate and huge range of natural attractions the area has to offer.”

“Traditionally, Plett was of course the top holiday destination for captains of industry, international entrepreneurs and the polo set, as there are 13 polo fields in the area.

“However, it has now become much more accessible with almost daily CemAir flights to OR Tambo and Cape Town International airports.

In fact, one of our clients is

an actuary who commutes between here and London.”

Fuller adds that most buying activity at the moment is taking place in the R1-million to R2.5-million price range.

“Above that there are buyers, but their interest is largely focused on the newer areas and estates that offer secure living and contemporary home designs, and not on ‘old Plett’ - except for homes in prime locations with outstanding views.

“Security and convenience, laced with luxury, are what’s on offer now at Lynnwood, the latest development in Goose Valley Golf Estate.

This estate is a financial success story like no other on the Garden Route and Lynnwood is a great addition to the popular Turtle Creek and Fairway Close developments.”

Building your own home in Plett is also still affordable due to relatively low local building costs, he says.

“Vacant stands priced at R350,000 and R750,000 are still available at the established Schoongezicht Country Estate and you can build for between R8,000 and R12,000 per square metre here if you choose the right builder.

“There are also stands available at Whale Rock from around R450,000, while 1,500m² stands in Brackenridge are priced from around R1.3-million.”

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

Investment 101 - The Stories Part IV: Of knives and prices

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S I mentioned before in this series of investment tales, Fred and the three traders would often gather in Fred’s office, drink a few whiskies and tell a few tales.

It was from this classroom that we young traders learnt many of the investment rules that today guide much of our thinking. We also shared the investment sayings or rules we had heard from other dealers on the trading floor.

One such saying used in general was “never try and catch a falling knife”. You will obviously lose a few fingers if you do!

This adage referred to the vicious bear markets that periodically occur in all markets. It warns you not to just jump into a share because it has suddenly fallen in price.

It teaches you to do your

homework first, to ascertain what is causing the drop, to decide if the bad news is fully discounted, or if there are forced sellers in the market.

True investment professionals will stand back, establish the facts behind the fall, decide if they will buy the shares, but then wait until the dust has settled. They will rather sacrifice the first 10% of a recovery, than risk stepping into the “falling knife” trap.

Another great saying, this time from a very modern mentor: Alwyn is the chief investment officer at Sanlam Private Wealth. He leant this adage from his original mentor who I knew in days long past.

He would always remind us that “high prices lead to low prices, and low prices lead to high prices”.

This investment saying is a

strong reminder that neither the good times nor the bad times last forever.

In the situation where there has been a prolonged bull market, the public will have been aggressive participants: most investors are making nice profits, their friends are bragging about their windfalls, and as always we assume that these good times will last forever.

It is in these circumstances that true professionals do their homework. They will establish the true value of the company’s shares, and if overvalued they will gradually begin to reduce their exposure.

The current Bull Run in equities is just such a situation. This bull market has run for a long time, but are values really stretched? (Not from what I see!) Or has the

oil price reached its bottom?

(Remember that “low prices lead to high prices”…) Do we jump into Sasol or should we wait for the dust to settle?

Part of this lesson is never to ignore low prices. Bear markets are devastating; people despair and usually sell their shares at the bottom, vowing never to buy shares again. It is in this climate that investment professionals do their buying.

So whether you see high or low prices, do your homework - it could be the signal to start a particularly profitable exercise.

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Interval

1 April 2015

Shin: a device for finding furniture in the dark.

There are no regrets! One very sad frog…

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HE local news radio station was interviewing an 80-year-old woman who just got married for the fourth time.

The interviewer asked her questions about her life, about what it felt like to be tying the knot again at 80, and then about her new husband’s occupation.

“He’s a funeral director,” she answered.

“Interesting,” the newsman thought.

He then asked her if she would mind telling him a little about her first three husbands and what they did for a living.

She paused for a few mo-

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ments, needing time to reflect on all those years.

Eventually, a smile came to her face and she answered proudly, explaining that she had first married a banker when she was in her 20s, then a circus ringmaster when in her 40s, and a preacher when in her 60s, and now, in her 80s… a funeral director.

The interviewer looked at her, quite astonished, and asked why she had married four men with such diverse careers.

She smiled and explained: “I married one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go.” /"Uwdokvvgf"d{"Tqp"Ucowgn

Charlie not very bravo

WO policemen call the station on their radio.

“Hello. Is this the Sarge?”

“Yes?” “We have a case here, Sarge. A woman has shot

her husband for stepping on the floor she had mopped.”

“Have you arrested the woman?”

“No, Sir. The floor is still wet.”

An unusual interview

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RUCE, an Australian, applied to join the Sydney Police Force.

The Sergeant doing the interview says: “Your qualifications all look good, but there is an Attitude Suitability Test that you must take before you can be accepted.”

Then, sliding a pistol across the desk with a few

spare clips of ammo, he says: “Take this pistol and go out and shoot six illegal immigrants, six drug dealers, six Muslim extremists, and a rabbit.”

“Why the rabbit?” asks Bruce.

“Great attitude, Bruce,” says the Sergeant, “when can you start?”

H

OPING for good news, a depressed frog goes to see a fortune teller.

The fortune teller closes her eyes, makes some strange sounds, and finally says: “You will meet a beautiful

young girl that will want to know everything about you.”

The frog gets excited and says: “Wow! When will I meet her? At a party?”

“No,” replies the fortune teller, “in her biology class.”

Sometimes I pretend to be

NORMAL.

But it gets boring...

So I go back to being me.

My butt hurts What?

Holiday Activities

1 April 2015

CXPRESS

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National Zion choir stages Easter gospel show in Knysna this coming Saturday A

50-member Christian Catholic Apostolic Church (CCAC) in Zion national choir will hold its third Easter Gospel Show in Knysna on Saturday April 4, featuring the popular Cape Town-based gospel artists Eric Lothe and Thumeka.

The show forms part of a Passover conference hosted by the CCAC in Zion, to be attended by the congregation’s members from 33 branches

spread between the Western & Eastern Cape and Gauteng.

This church choir will perform tracks featured on its debut album entitled K|wnw" w{qnkpigpc" piqnkugdgp|gnc, meaning, “You will enter Heaven through your work”.

The album, released last year, comprises 12 tracks including performances by the late Linda ‘Nobandla’ Mangisa.

“The community of Knysna and surrounds must brace

themselves for a spiritual revival this Easter. The charismatic rendition will be featuring Eric Lothe, so wellknown with his track \kpmwn‚" kpvygp‚" k|gp|c{q,” said Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe, president of the CCAC in Zion Youth Ministry.

She added that the talents of Thumeka, popularly known for her song Jcppcj, is sure to add another concert highlight.

The show will be held on Saturday April 4 at the Uniting Presbyterian Church at 10 Sethosa Street in Joodsekamp, Knysna, at 4pm. Tickets are available at Computicket and at Shoprite/Checkers.

The choir can also be followed on its social page at www.facebook.com/ccaczion and twitter: @ccaczion. Call Ntobeko on 078 802 7724 or email nmangqwengqwe@ gmail.com for more info.

SACRED CELEBRATION: ‘The community of Knysna must brace themselves for a spiritual revival this Easter time,’ says president of the CCAC in Zion Youth Ministry Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe of this weekend’s conference and concert

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CXPRESS

Social Scene

1 April 2015 HEED WENDY’S GOOD ADVICE: The Tshisa Talent Finals take place on April 11 at the White House Theatre and famous singer Wendy Oldfield will be there as one of the celebrity judges. Wendy started performing while still at school and achieved fame early through songs like ‘This Boy’, ‘Don’t Stop Believing’, ‘Miracle’ and ‘Acid’. A seasoned performer who sees great value in the Tshisa Talent Competition her advice to contestants is: ‘Go for it. It’s not a bad idea to think about your intention. If it’s just fame, be prepared for pain. If you’re doing it for the art, it will still hurt sometimes... But the creation of music is very satisfying. If you have a calling, don’t be lazy or afraid to take charges, work hard and love what you do.’ Tshisa Talent is presented

by Lunchbox Theatre, the National Arts Council and Plett Tourism with the assistance of local businesses.

Tickets are available at The Old House Shop and online via www.quicket. co.za - just search for Tshisa Talent Finals. Also see the advert on page 6 for additional information.

Photo: Sharyn Hodges

People, places & events BRAVE NATHAN BEATS A 10KM TRAIL: Congratulations are in order to Nathan Meggersee, the only Plett Primary pupil to enter and finish the schools 10km route during last month’s well attended Fun Run & Festival, supported

by Plett Athletics Club and MC90.3fm. Lots of other students and their parents completed the shorter 2.5km and 5km options, while the youngest set competed in a 400m dash. Nathan’s efforts won him an entry to Friday’s Cairnbrogie Trail Run (see the full story on page 20). In the pic, mom and Plett Athletics Club chair Vicki Meggersee gives him a well-deserved hug.

RED BIBS ONLY, PLEASE: Knysna’s Sector 1 Community Police Forum introduced the Red Bib Business Watch initiative in partnership with Knysna Municipal Law Enforcement and the local SAPS. A collective drive to streamline the longstanding problem of unofficial, unmonitored ‘car guards’ in Knysna has progressed, a year later, to the stage where now only parking attendants wearing Red Bibs have been approved to safeguard vehicles and their immediate areas in the Greater Knysna.

At back from left are Bonnie Hendricks (Canon Main Street), Pieter Degenaar (Royal Hotel) and Christo Mina (Post Office Main Street), with Petrus Hlobo (Central Pharmacy), Johan Wildschut (Lower Grey Street) and Eric Nkwali (Riviera Café Main Street) in front. Businesses that would like to get involved and buy a Red Bib for an approved screened attendant in their area can contact Cheryl Britz at jccj@absamail.co.za or on 082 574 9657. Visit www.cxpress.co.za for the full story.

Photo: Cheryl Britz

THE KING CAME HOME! Esteemed SA muso and manager Mxolisi ‘MXO’ Lokwe, left, joined big-time rapper King Melisizwe for a Plett Tourism-sponsored video shoot by Daron Chatz ‘n crew at various venues in town and KwaNokuthula on Saturday.

Born in Plett in 1986, King Melisizwe Tshembese moved to Joburg in 2003 with a few of his homeys and formed Ten Triple One - one of the first groups to represent small-town Xhosa rap up north. Later pursuing a solo career, he hasn’t looked back since. Visit sharynhodges.co.za for more images of the shoot.

Holiday Activities

1 April 2015

CXPRESS

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CXPRESS

Food & Wine

1 April - 2015

PeeBee’s Wine Column

Read CXPRESS online @ www.cxpress.co.za

Words & Photo: Peter Bishop

The day a Pinot Noir won the Syrah tasting Est. 1984

I

T has been done before!

I have been to home tastings where a Cabernet Sauvignon (Thelema 2001) emerged as the Best Shiraz; where a Shiraz (Bertrams 1973) emerged as the Best Cabernet Sauvignon.

But that was back in 2003 and 1981 respectively. In the venerable year of 2015, it happened again. I will exclude reference to the names of my dearest friends involved.

Friend X loves getting Friend Y loving a Pinotage amid squirms, but this time the faux pas was by Friend X. The only time Friend Y loves a Pinotage is if it is 20 to 40 years old, as it becomes ‘a red wine’.

The theme this time was Rhone Style, which would have forced blends of Grenache (as in Chateauneuf du Pape), Syrah (as in the Northern Rhone) or even Mouvedre, Cinsaut, Carignan et al.

As it was, none of the nine attendees brought a Cape example to the blind tasting, except for the errant Pinot Noir.

The 1996 Domaine Saint Prefert, with 60% Grenache planted on stony soils, showed older than it was. A bit burnt, sweet molasses, tobacco, mint. That it was French was evident, yet not a classic Chateauneuf.

The second wine on the flight was meant to be Cathy Marshall SMG (Shiraz, Mouvedre, Grenache), a once-off 2009. In grabbing the wrong bottle Friend X did us a favour.

The Catherine Marshall Pinot Noir Seven Barrels 2009 was the wine of the night!

Iron-rich clay soils from

NICE: PeeBee in the vineyards at Clos Saint Michel with Oliver Mousset of Chateauneuf du Pape - note the stony grounds

Shannon in Elgin. I scored it 18, with blueberry, great integration and commanding finish.

Friend Y picked up soapiness and port features but the other tasters liked the softer features, the bacon, the smoke. The wine scored well.

A Cote Rotie Duclaux La Germine 2011 (Northern Rhone) is predominantly Syrah with a kiss of white Viognier. It proved delightful and balanced, more floral and subtle. Cherries rather than deep berries with an average not grand appeal.

I received quite a few raspberries for bringing along the Priorat 7 of 2007 - a blend of Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah from the Catalonian part of Spain, south of Barcelona.

Traditionally this was a blend of Grenache and Carignan, but it now represents the New World Old World confluence, which some guys are trying to take to the Super League.

More plum and berries, coconut, vanilla (from the generous modern oaking), great structure but a touch vola-

SITTING ON BARRELS: Cathy Marshall is the original barefoot winemaker

tile. The Cabernet Sauvignon actually enhanced the wine, so I did not mind the reprimand. All wines were being tasted blind.

Clos Saint Michel under Oliver and Franck Mousset produces excellent Chateauneuf du Pape but their Reserve of 2000 misfired. Friend Y, who brought it, said: “I don’t understand why!”

It was the most expensive wine of the night and had been stored immaculately for five years after purchase. The vagaries of a single bottle, one hopes.

We were still waiting for the great Cape challenge and I thought the next wine up could come close. Instead, it was the Les Hautes Granges of Domaine Escaravailles 2007 of the Cote de Rhone, a respectable Village wine of a

number of cultivars.

Dark, vibrant, packed, a wine to impress with size.

But there are better challenges coming from the Swartland at the moment.

Because some of the audience were international, luck had it that we all brought (nearly all, with two exceptions) wines from the Rhone, but nobody ventured to bring a Cape exponent.

At the turn of the millennium, Charles Back of Fairview won international acclaim for the great Spice Route Syrah made by his winemaker Eben Sadie.

Eben then went off to Priorat, where he bought a farm and got to understand Grenache, Mouvedre and Carignan.

He has applied that knowledge to his acquisitions in the Swartland where he is growing nearly 30 different varietals on a host of different soils. His Columnella blend (first released in 2000) is one of the highest-priced Cape Wines at over R800 a bottle.

Eben has aroused a horde of followers with Chris and Andreas Mullineux scoring with a Schist Syrah and a Granite Syrah. Rebels like Adi Badenhorst and Hermit on the Hill Pieter de Waal impress with some intriguing multi-blends.

It is all happening - and rather fast. Yet, what is one of the finest red wines emanating from the Swartland? Two answers to that.

Eben Sadie’s Cinsaut, called Pofadder, from 80-year-old vines and the Piekenierskloof Grenache that is making itself into Jan Boland Coetzee’s Vriesenhof Grenache and the Neil Ellis Grenache.

Small wonder that the Swartland Revolution Celebrations in November are so popular.

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F R E S H

Home & Health

1 April 2015

CXPRESS

‘Never give up hope’ - Shani’s message to recovering addicts “Shani’s share at Twin Rivers had a lot of spiritual content and some of his messages were very clear. I would say the predominant message was ‘be proactive and never give up hope’. He underlined the importance of how success is only achieved through effort and doesn’t arrive by courier service. I was very much impacted by Shani’s ability to change his life around despite being in an inhospitable environment surrounded by chaos and drugs on a daily basis.

“I’ve met many people who don’t have to worry that they are going to be attacked, who have comfortable accommodation, good food and plenty of support, but who could not possibly achieve what Shani has achieved in a prison.”

Visit https://twitter.com/ shanikrebs to find out more about the man, his book, and the people he has inspired.

C

ELEBRATED author of Ftciqpu"("Dwvvgthnkgu Shani Krebs visited Twin Rivers Addiction Recovery Centre last week to talk to clients and staff about his addiction recovery.

In 1994, at the birth of South Africa’s democracy, Shani flew to Thailand where he was arrested for heroin trafficking and, after a trial, was sentenced to death. He was 34.

This sentence was commuted to 100 years and eventually to a minimum of 40 years, following many appeals and positive intervention from the King of Thailand.

Shani was granted amnesty on December 15, 2011, having served 18 years in a number of Thai prisons.

Says Twin Rivers clinical director David Briskham:

RUBBING SHOULDERS WITH SHANI: Twin Rivers clinical director David Briskham, left, lured Shani Krebs to Plett before his presentation at the Knysna Literary Festival last week, to inspire clients and staff at this local addiction recovery centre

Treasure these colourful flowers for a brighter Easter

A

LTHOUGH South Africans treasure many indigenous flowers, only one actually goes by the common name ‘Treasure Flower’ and that is our beloved gazania.

Gazanias are still winners in our gardens, especially in areas where drought is prevalent because these beauties laugh in the face of dry climes. They enjoy basking in full sun and, being waterwise, don’t require copious litres of H2O. If you want a sturdy and bushy plant, then pinch the young seedlings and they’ll offer up more side branches in return. Deadheading is not essential but it will encourage more flowering.

BIRDS N BEES: Gazanias are available in an amazing array of colour combinations, which in turn attract a host of insects - and where there are insects, there is birdlife, so go wild when making your brightly coloured selection

Gazanias are available in an amazing array of colour combinations and are thus brightly dressed in order to attract a host of insects that aid with pollination.

Amazingly though, they

are not plagued by pests and diseases - and where there are insects, there is also birdlife, so go wild when making your selection.

Don’t worry if your flowers close on cloudy days or

at dusk, it’s perfectly normal.

They open and close depending on the intensity of the light, which is why planting them in full sun is where they’ll be happiest.

Gazanias are excellent ground covers because of their waterwise nature and ability to grow practically anywhere, as long as there is sun of course, but their trailing nature also make them wonderful hanging basket subjects.

So whether you’ve got a flower bed that needs some en masse planting or a sunny patio craving a bright container, gazanias are sure to fill that gap.

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CXPRESS

1 April 2015

Classifieds

On the Soapbox

1 April 2015

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

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

A continental machinery challenge...

I must say I had a good chuckle when Bitou Municipality announced that they could not do refuse collections due to “fleet challenges”.

It makes me think of a good friend of mine who has factories in the United Kingdom

and in South Africa, manufacturing a product with identical machines.

In England, he has one man in charge of four machines.

While they are running he is constantly listening to them and doing preventative main-

tenance if necessary to limit or stop downtime.

In his South African factory, each man is in charge of just one machine.

This man is supposed to look after his machine and listen for problems before

they occur.

Unfortunately, this does not happen and each man’s job is now down to reporting to his senior that the machine is not working anymore.

Machinery challenges?

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Beweerde bourommel gestort vir ‘n goeie doel Ek wil graag reageer op die brief oor beweerde rommelstorting [sien ‘Who’s dumping rubble down the ridge?’ op bladsy 15 in die 18 Maart uitgawe by www.cxpress. co.za].

Bourommel is op hierdie spesifieke plek gestort met ‘n besondere goeie doel: die area is deur Bitou Munisipaliteit goedgekeur as vertrekpunt vir valskermvlieërs (paragliders) wanneer Plet se weer dit toelaat.

Valskermvlieg (ook vertaal as ‘skermsweef’) is ‘n omge-

wings-vriendelike sport wat wêreldwyd beoefen word en menige besoekers van Europa en die Oosblok besoek Suid Afrika in die somer om hul sport ook hier te geniet.

Plettenbergbaai het slegs hierdie een geskikte opstygplek, maar dis ongelukkig te klein om veilig te wees vir alle vliëniers.

Ons plaaslike vliëniers het dus besluit om die gebied effens te vergroot sodat dit nie meer nodig sal wees vir besoekers om hul vlerke in die straat oop te gooi vir

die opstyg nie, want hierdie gelyke stuk gras sal ‘n paar meter (ongeveer 10m) bied om op te styg met volkome veiligheid.

Om die opstyg area te vergroot moet ‘n paar vragte klip of bourommel afgelaai word, wat dan met sagte grond bedek word voordat gras bo-op geplant word.

Hierdie proses sal geen sigbare letsels op die omgewing laat nie, aangesien geen struike laer teen die berg verwyder sal word nie.

Die projek het reeds ‘n paar

jaar gelede goedkeuring van Bitou Munisipaliteit verkry.

Ons waardeer die feit dat die Plett Clean groep die dorp wil skoon en groen hou, maar is van mening dat hul optrede in hierdie geval uitgevoer is sonder om volledige inligting te bekom rakende die projek.

Die geriewe kan menige besoekers na Plettenbergbaai toe lok, en terselftertyd ‘n aanskoulike sport aan plaaslike inwoners bied, sonder om die omgewing of ons mense te versteur.

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Keurboomsriver Lodge denies destruction of milkwoods The report ‘Forestry warriors fight lonely battle as environment crimes slip through the cracks’ refers. [Turn to page 3 of the March 11 edition at www.cxpress.co.za for the full story.]

The ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos’ caption indicates that vast amounts of endangered Western Cape Milkwood have been cleared on the banks of the Keurbooms River. This is not true.

Firstly, the vegetation removed on the photo forms part of the garden of Keurboomsriver Lodge (KRL) and is definitely not part of the riverbank or a natural forest.

As so many controversies exist around the definition of a forest, guidelines are issued

by DAFF. Distinguishing between natural forest, thicket and woodland may in some instances be difficult to the lay person, and the guidelines in Appendix B of the National Forests Act can be used to aid the distinction between these different biomes.

Dense woodland or thicket can at a glance appear similar to natural forest, but can be identified correctly at closer inspection. Being able to identify and define the natural forests in an area has a direct bearing on the restrictions applicable to land use and development.

Use must be made of appropriate forest experts where any uncertainties exist. The questions to ask are: • Is this a vegetation community dominated by indigenous trees whose crowns are largely contiguous (crown cover must be 75% or more)?

• Does the vegetation community grow in multiple layers (at least a herb, shrub and canopy layer of trees with touching crowns)?

• Are the majority of these tree and shrub species typical forest tree and shrub species

EXHIBIT A? This photo accompanied the Keurboomsriver Lodge Body Corporate Trustees’ letter, ostensibly as proof of innocence; CXPRESS reiterates that the name of the property was never mentioned in our article, as its focus in this case was on the local justice department dragging its feet, thus forcing the Dept of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to find private legal aid - the matter is thus up for the courts to decide

(indicator species for one of the national forest types)?

• Can it be identified as one of the defined national forest types (see ‘National Forest Types in Appendix C: forest structure and indicator species)?

More information regarding this definition is obtainable from your local DAFF office.

Secondly, no milkwood has been cleared in the garden on these photos.

There is also no milkwood forest present in this portion of the garden. A single standalone milkwood does not constitute a natural forest.

The type of vegetation in the garden was mostly from the Rhus family and is not protected in terms of the NFA. The local Justice Department knows the difference between protected milkwood and indigenous bush that is not protected, therefor they did not entertain this issue on various occasions.

Thirdly, all the milkwood trimmed on this property was done under a valid license issued by DAFF in 2012. The same office has re-issued further licenses on three consecutive dates allowing KRL to trim the milkwood on the property again.

Even the conditions on all the new licenses are exactly the same as on the license is-

sued in 2012. One of the conditions on all the licenses allowed us to clean the bottom of the milkwood to a height of 2m for security reasons.

Properties on the River Road are not exempt from crimes and house breaking.

Had any milkwood been cut illegally as speculated in your article, why does DAFF keep on issuing licenses again and again? Surely this proves that no “criminal” activities took place, or is DAFF allowing us to be criminals?

Part of the conditions on the license, under point 3, states: “Any further conditions, DAFF to monitor and do follow-up inspections on a regular basis.” They indeed visited the property on various occasions.

DAFF were on the property during the tree trimming activities more than twice, and not once has the KRL-team been stopped, but was actually allowed to continue trimming activities in their presence.

The property was also frequently visited by the chairman and members of the Keurbooms River Master Home Owner’s Association, who endorsed our license, and not once did they indicate any irregularities or made an effort to indicate any transgressions or to aid by stopping the KRL-team.

If any so-called criminal activities took place during all the visits over the three months from DAFF and others, why didn’t an entity like DAFF immediately stop such activities?

No unlawful felling of protected milkwood trees took place on the KRL property.

Not one milkwood tree was taken down and all trimming activities were performed under a valid license from DAFF. With the above facts being the true version of what transpired, the Keurboomsriver Lodge Body Corporate objects in the strongest possible terms to the intimation in the article that we are criminals and guilty of criminal acts.

Also one cannot help but notice that the reporter did not, as she was in law obliged to, present the Body Corporate the opportunity to provide the correct facts to her, before publishing this clearly false article which harms the reputation of our prestige Lodge.

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CXPRESS

Sport & Adventure

1 April 2015

Stars of trail and Sterreweg kids at Cairnbrogie - and that’s just the start of it!

T

HIS weekend’s Plett Easter Games event turns four this year. The idea for an outdoor sports festival in Plettenberg Bay was a logical one due to the sea, mountains and forests that the area offers. Plett really is the adventure sporto’s South African capital.

The Pennypinchers Easter Surfski Challenge is already well established, but other events have been added during the past three years to create an even greater sporting and social weekend in Plett.

The fun begins on Friday April 3, with the Plett Easter Games Golf Competition sponsored by CemAir and hosted at the beautiful Plett Country Club.

Southern Sun Resorts sponsors a seven-night stay at the Beacon Island Resort and raffle tickets for this prime prize can be purchased at the club, all funds raised going towards the Adopt a Swimmer programme and local golf development.

Also on Friday, trail runners will converge on Cairnbrogie Estate for a fun family morning where athletes will compete in their choice of 1.5km, 5km, 12km or 18km races.

All finishers will receive a choc chip cookie and a bottle of fresh milk from the farm’s dairy. Spur together with the local Griekwa Church ladies will be on hand to ensure that no tummies lack scrumptious sustenance.

It won’t be all fun and games, though, as the 18km contenders will pull out all the stops for their share of R8,000 worth of prize money, split between the first three men and women finishers.

Pennypinchers is sponsoring this prize money and title holder Melikhaya Msizi will be challenged by bounty hunters from all over the Eastern and Western Cape.

Melikhaya’s local knowledge and great form will make him hard to beat, however.

On Friday, night mountain bikers will compete at the same venue in the everpopular Pennypinchers Night MTB Relay. It looks like locals Neil Clarke and Andrew van Blommenstein or Brad Thomas and Daniel Meiring will dice it out for top spot in this multi-lap team relay.

Riding at night brings a whole different feel to the sport and with bonfires burning and refreshments on sale,

GIVING BACK: The Pennypinchers Adventure Racing Team and Cairnbrogie Estate will once again entertain local kids with special needs attached to Sterreweg Centre in New Horizons, treating them to a farm walk, cookies and milk as well as a Spur goody bag - this pic was taken at last year’s Easter Trail Run, and Friday’s event promises to offer the best family fun to be had this long weekend - Photo: Glenn Murray Photography

it makes for a great social evening.

On Saturday, the action moves to Central Beach as start and finish venue of the eighth Pennypinchers Easter Surf Ski Challenge. The singles race takes place in the morning and later in the afternoon a more social doubles race will be paddled. Both short and long courses will be laid out.

Paddlers are notoriously slow to enter online so entries can be made on the day. This

race is a calendar favourite and always attracts some of the globe’s top competitors.

World champions in both the men’s and women’s categories have held this coveted Plett title in the past.

And with a total prize purse of R14,000 the racing is sure to be tougher than nails.

Enter online at entrytick ets.co.za or on the day, but whether competing or spectating, join in the Plett Easter weekend fun and share “the feeling”.