1 June 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

FREE Photo: Lara Edwards

1 June 2016

18 today... and counting!

The first edition of CXPRESS hit the streets on June 1, 1998, making today our happy 18th birthday. If the paper were a person, we could now legally drink and drive and vote, if not necessarily in that order… Along with our devoted readers and awesome advertisers, we look forward to many years of healthy ‘adulthood’, and we thank these sharp-looking Plett Primary Grade 3s for gracing our cover on this joyous occasion.

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NEWS & VIEWS

1 June 2016

Child sex tourism is a stark reality in South Africa - and that includes the Garden Route National Child Protection Week kicked off on May 27 and, taking into account the looming winter holiday season, this enlightening report on the work of Plettenberg Bay-based social worker DR KAREN SPURRIER should not be ignored NCREASING tourism numbers in third world countries, like South Africa, affect their economies and certain aspects of their society positively; however, there are concomitant negative effects that expose the dark

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side of the tourism industry.

One of these is the escalating Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism (CSECTT) - particularly child prostitution (CP) in the context of tourism, a

phenomenon known as child sex tourism (CST).

Although tourism plays an important role in creating the perfect storm of poverty-stricken or drugaddicted children colliding with wealthy tourists, it is not solely responsible for this phenomenon.

A lack of research available in South Africa prompted Dr Karen Spurrier, a local social worker in private practice, to research this phenomenon on the Garden Route and in Cape Town.

Dr Spurrier researched the subject interviewing local social workers, psychologists, NGO and welfare staff, adult survivors of sexual exploitation by tourists, the police services, and the hospitality industry.

Dr Spurrier’s research showed that factors such as drug abuse, poverty, and family dysfunction pushed children of all races to the street, and as a means to survive they engage in sex work, enabling tourists (i.e. local - out of towners) and foreigners (mainly men, but also women of varied sexual orientation) to commercially sexually exploit both boys and girls, from as young as nine years of age, leaving them with physical and psychological scars.

The results of Dr Spurrier’s research have been confirmed by similar findings through research conducted

by Fair Trade Tourism, in conjunction with world authority on child sex tourism, ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Child Trafficking).

Titled ‘The Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism - Country Specific: South Africa 2015 Report’, it was launched in Stellenbosch on May 12.

According to this report, ECPAT International’s African network considers South Africa as one of the countries most affected by child exploitation in travel and tourism.

In Dr Spurrier’s study, the accounts and recollections of adult survivors in relation to their commercial sexual exploitation in child-

DON’T LOOK AWAY: Dr Karen Spurrier’s doctoral thesis on child sex tourism equipped her with a profound understanding of this scourge - and she emphasises that it’s not only a street child problem, as young drug addicts from wealthy families also fall victim to sexual predators

hood showed that: • The adult survivors arrived on the street at a very young age, mostly due to poor circumstances at their homes.

• They were sexually assaulted, raped or exploited at between nine and 11 years of age - very shortly after their arrival on the street.

• Children of all races were commercially sexually exploited and the adult survivors specifically mentioned black, white, and coloured children.

• Both male and female children were commercially sexually exploited.

• The effects of the CSEC include feelings of depression, sadness, confusion, guilt, shame and embarrassment, along with feeling responsible for the exploitation.

• The adult survivors as children were paid between R50 and R1,500, with additional ‘gifts’ sometimes totalling more than R3,000.

• The adult survivors as children entered the sex ‘industry’ for various reasons, including poverty and a lack of other means to survive, which led to so-called ‘survival sex’, addiction to drugs and/or alcohol, the presence of naiveté and lack

of knowledge that comes with the natural immaturity of young children.

Child sex tourists or exploiters can be anyone, but have been described by adult survivors and NGOs as mainly, but not only, white ‘executive type’ wealthy males, of varying sexual orientation.

The adult survivors described their exploiters as locals and foreigners, as well as long-stay visitors often described as ‘swallows’.

Local perpetrators were from areas other than those they perpetrated in, and foreigners were mentioned as being from the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, France, Nigeria, and Somalia.

Nigerians were specifically mentioned as intermediaries and pimps. German men were singled out as ‘end users’ - those who had sex with the children - and sometimes acted as intermediaries.

The exploiters engaged sexually with the children at various localities including streets, both upmarket and low-end hotels, apartments and private homes.

Perpetrators used various substances such as drugs or alcohol when interacting with the children and often encouraged the children to do the same (i.e. utilise drugs or alcohol) either prior to or during sex.

They were sometimes violent or threatened violence towards the children they used for sexual encounters.

Violence included being thrown out of a moving vehicle or being threatened with a firearm.

Generally perceived to be aged between 50 and 70, perpetrators sometimes required the children to perform unusual sexual acts, exposed children to pornography, or involved them in the production of pornography.

Significantly, perpetrators were more prolific during special events attracting tourists to cities or towns, with the Knysna Oyster Festival mentioned specifically.

Another area of concern that became apparent through the research results

highlighted the emergence of ‘volun-tourism’, which refers to short-term volunteer experiences that travellers often combine with travel for work, study or leisure.

While volunteers are hugely beneficial to understaffed and underfunded local organisations, this is also seen as a loophole for exploiters.

The country-specific South African report by Fair Trade Tourism states: “The involvement of volun-tourists in activities that bring them into direct contact with children creates opportunities for preferential and situational offenders to gain access to potential victims.

This is the case at schools, refugee or IDP camps, shelters, orphanages, etc.

“Interviews with travelling child sex offenders (TCSOs) noted that they often served as professionals (e.g. teachers) or volunteers to facilitate their abuse of the children in their care - a finding consistent with other, larger-scale studies.”

“All volunteers and staff that work with children should be police checked as a matter of course and if they hail from outside South Africa, an Interpol check should be done,” says Dr Spurrier.

She urges guesthouses, hotels, B&Bs and other accommodation establishments as well as restaurants to be on the lookout for suspicious behaviour, to report their suspicions and to keep a copy of their reports for follow-up purposes.

“The onus is on these establishments to report any behaviour deemed suspicious to the authorities, or to risk being complicit in the abuse,” Dr Spurrier cautions.

“Often when guests book in without prior arrangements and want to pay cash, one should be on the alert. Sometimes they leave their ‘daughter’ or ‘son’ in the car while they check in late at night. This is cause for suspicion and should not be ignored.

“Don’t look away - report what you see!”

• Email karenspurrier@ icon.co.za for more info.

NEWS & VIEWS

1 June 2016

CXPRESS

Cloud over Booysen family, even if sexting claims disproved Bitou mayor Memory Booysen remains adamant that the ‘sexting scandal’ he became embroiled in last week was a fabrication and part of a smear campaign against him and the Democratic Alliance - YOLANDÉ STANDER reports series of steamy WhatsApp messages between what appears to be the mayor and a contact labelled ‘Pumi’, who applied for a job in the municipality’s library, was widely circulated among journalists and politicians and made national headlines last week.

The email, sent under the pseudonym Maxwell Jamangile, includes an alleged transcript of these messages.

The transcript shows that Pumi first made contact with Booysen in January this year and that the exchange lasted for about a month and involved discussions over the job, which later turned into messages of a sexual nature including a description of sexual fantasies.

In one message, Booysen allegedly tells Pumi that being alone together would be “risky” as his “body would want her”. There were also messages where Booysen seemingly tells Pumi who

STRESSED: Bitou mayor Memory Booysen says his loved ones are taking emotional strain, and that when he read the transcript he became “sick to his stomach and just wanted to vomit”

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she needed to speak to over the library job.

The text exchange was allegedly sparked after the two ran into each other in Plett’s business centre earlier this year.

Booysen has denied sending these messages and said the woman in question was a family member and that he had not had any contact with her in more than a year.

“Pumi used to work in the municipal library, but left about a year ago. That was also the last time I had contact with her,” Booysen said.

“The first time I heard anything about her was when the transcript was circulated.”

Booysen said when he first read the transcript he became “sick to his stomach”. “I couldn’t even read the rest of it. I just wanted to vomit.”

He added that he had no influence over the appointment of staff members and could therefore never have secured a job for someone, especially a family member.

“The municipal manager has the final say on appointments and not

Back to Ghana for KwaNokuthula sex and drug offender

Yolandé Stander

HE Ghanaian national arrested last year over several sex crimes involving Plett girls was handed down a five-year suspended sentence in the Knysna Regional Court last week and will be deported.

Following a series of delays since last year, Bernard Asamoah, 38, entered into a plea agreement on Friday before being sentenced.

Asamoah, who operated as hairdresser and businessman in KwaNokuthula before his arrest, was apprehended by members of the George Family violence,

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Child protection and Sexual offences unit at his home on September 8 last year following several sexual offences against four young girls aged between seven and 11.

During his bail application, witnesses told the court how the suspect lured the children - including the daughter of a local police officer and neighbour - to his home with promises of “cookies” and other treats before attempting to perform sexual acts with them.

They said he showed pornographic films to some of the children, attempted to

have oral sex with one girl and demanded others to undress themselves while he took off his clothes.

After his arrest, a drug charge was added to the charges and it came to light that he did not have the necessary permits to be in SA. Because he was seen as a flight risk, he was denied bail but not before he took the witness stand and told the court he believed the claims stemmed from an argument with a neighbour over money. He later indicated that he intended to enter into a plea agreement.

before an extensive process through the human resources department.

The only influence I have is with political appointments and there I would sit on a panel. If it was a family member, I would have had to recuse myself.”

Booysen said the saga had not only taken its toll on him emotionally, but was also affecting his family.

“It has caused a lot of stress. And the problem with these things is that even if you disprove it, there is always a cloud hanging over you.”

He said he had already discussed the matter with his legal team and was adamant to take legal action.

“The only problem now is who I institute proceedings against. This is not a oneman job, that I’m sure of.”

Booysen said he was convinced those behind the “scandal” were trying to bring him and the party into disrepute before the August 3 elections.

Garden Route Media

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CXPRESS

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NEWS & VIEWS

1 June 2016

Accusations of corruption met with counter-allegations and even death threats

Geskiedkundige klok byna gestroop vir afvalmetaal

Yolandé Stander

O far the heads of seven Bitou municipal officials have rolled since 40 employees were allegedly linked to large-scale electricity theft.

On Friday, municipal spokesman Manfred van Rooyen held a media conference to provide an update on disciplinary steps taken.

Bitou last year launched an internal investigation into electricity losses to the tune of R9-million, highlighted in Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu’s 2014 report. The investigation revealed that 47 municipal officials had not purchased electricity for extended periods, some for up to five years.

A sting operation in January 2015 revealed that more than 40 employees had allegedly been bypassing electricity metres. A municipal team along with independent electricians, auditors and local police raided the properties and found that electricity meters at 40 of these had been tampered with.

This number was reduced to 36 where credible explanations were presented.

Van Rooyen said given the

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number of officials involved, the municipality appointed three suitably-qualified contract employees, in addition to the internal labour relations team, to deal with the disciplinary matters.

He said so far seven officials had been dismissed, including two senior electricians, two traffic officials, an official from the roads department, one from the engineering department and one from the communications department.

“One disciplinary hearing of an official from the roads department sat this week and charges against a fire services official have been drafted and will be served next week.”

He added charges against 17 officials had been withdrawn and were now being reviewed. “Since this number is so high, it has raised some concern and we will investigate the reasons for these withdrawals.”

Van Rooyen said the 10 remaining officials would be served with charges within the near future.

The process has not been smooth sailing for those

endeavouring to rid the municipality of fraud and corruption.

Van Rooyen said several officials, including municipal manager Allen Paulse, had received threats through text messages, emails and, in some cases, even in person.

“A disturbing feature has emerged in the course and scope of taking these firm disciplinary steps. Since mid-February, various officials including the chief financial officer, labour relations officer and witnesses in the various cases, have been threatened,” he said.

Van Rooyen added while most threats were allegations of abuse of office resources, fraud, corruption, derogatory statements of improper conduct, nepotism and patronage, it extended to death threats in the case of Paulse. These have been reported to the relevant authorities and Paulse’s security beefed up.

He said despite the threats, Bitou remained committed to rooting out any transgression of its code of conduct “without fear, favour or prejudice”.

Die kerkklok van die NG Gemeente Wittedrift is stil na bykans 64 jaar waartydens sy gelui elke Sondag deur die vallei weergalm het.

Philip Naudé verduidelik: ‘Diewe het gepoog om die klok te steel maar kon dit nie afkry nie. Dit is dus afgehaal en word elders bewaar totdat dit met nuwe vashegtings beveilig en teruggeplaas kan word. David Steele, ‘n bekende beeldhouer, is besig met die giet van nuwe versterkings wat dit onmoontlik sal maak om die klok te steel.’ Hy sê dit word algemeen aanvaar dat die klok vernietig sou word en die stukke brons as afvalmetaal verkoop sou word.

NEWS & VIEWS

1 June 2016

CXPRESS

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On the Fringe is where you want to be this Festival month…

Now in its fourth year, Plett Fringe Festival presented by the Kids of Kurland team from June 25-28 offers four days of exceptional performances at The White House Theatre - from music to drama, comedy and storytelling, there’s something for every taste and all shows are family-friendly LETT Fringe Festival 2016 starts with a performance of Heathcote Williams’s Whale World starring David Muller. This thoughtful and sensitive production presents the simple truth that whales, unlike humans, do not kill each other, they do not go to war and they do not harm the environment.

Says co-organiser Carmen Clews: “This is a thought-provoking performance which will add an extra dimension to the whale-sighting season that is now upon us. And to add to the magic of the evening, David will relate favourite stories of Herman Charles Bosman.

“He has entranced audiences throughout the country with his retelling

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of these stories in the persona of Oom Schalk Lourens and, like children, we never tire of hearing them related by this consummate storyteller.”

On Sunday June 26, Camp Carrawak brings a complete change of mood. Lucy and Alex Tops will premiere this show in Plett before presenting it at Grahamstown’s National Arts Festival.

“We have encountered these wonderful musicians, vocalists and comedians before, and those of you who saw them at the 2015 Fringe Fest will know that it promises to be a night of knee-slapping, toe-tapping fun, music and laughter and the urge to participate may well to be irresistible,” she says.

A Man and a Dog, featur-

ing Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, is a multi-award winning play by an acclaimed artist of outstanding talent.

Through story-telling, singing and physical theatre, Nhlanhla presents a thought-provoking and significant play that touches every South African.

He intersperses it with lighter moments: stories from legends, and tales about men and their dogs, making for great theatre that should not to be missed.

The Fringe Festival concludes on June 28 with A Great American Songbook.

This cabaret played to capacity houses at the NAF in 2015, with inimitable Roland Perold on piano and vocals as he presents a repertoire from the golden age of American popular song.

“Roland enchants with the songs of beloved composers from the era, such as Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington and Cole Porter’s timeless songs,” enthuses Carmen.

“His informal style as he plays, sings and relates anecdotes and titbits about the time and its many wonderful characters invariably captivates his audience, and the memories invoked will make for a fitting close to PFF 2016.”

Turn to page 9 for images.

• Festival beneficiary is the Kids of Kurland Project that supports The Crags Primary School in Kurland.

Through the tremendous support of audiences and sponsors, Kids of Kurland now funds three additional

Port Elizabeth school ropes in able Plett bakers to celebrate 90 years in mouth-watering style

Legendary Plett businessman Chris Minnaar popped in at CXPRESS to tell about a remarkable operation he witnessed at his favourite hangout: Clare’s Cakes in the town’s Main Street.

Wanting to hear from the horse’s mouth what Mr Minnaar’s ‘mountain of beautifully branded cupcakes’ was all about, we contacted Clare. She explained: ‘I received a call from the marketing manager of Pearson High School in PE to ask if we were able to produce 1,500 cupcakes for the school’s reunion and 90th birthday celebrations. We were all a bit shocked, but we enjoy a good challenge - especially as we were only given a few days’ notice. I have an amazing team who managed to bake them in one day, and Paula iced all 1,500 by herself the next day. I made the toppers with Pearson’s school emblem, borrowed 20 crates, emptied my Kombi of all seats and left early that Friday morning for PE. Apart from one spine-chilling moment when I braked too hard and thought my crates had toppled over (thank goodness they didn’t!) all went smoothly and according to feedback, our cupcakes were relished by all.’

Well done to the team at this Proudly Plett establishment.

teachers and an assistant.

The Project started in 2001 and, before its intervention, classes were so big that effective teaching was nearly impossible. The school still needs a special

needs/remedial teacher and a social worker to assist learners with problems. As an NPO, all donations are tax deductible and donors are provided with tax certificates at the end of each financial year. The organisation is run by a team of able volunteers, and overheads are minimal.

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CXPRESS

NEWS & VIEWS

1 June 2016

These Tsitsikamma sisters are doing it for themselves but you can contribute, too!

Chairperson of Masimanyane Ladies Club in Storms River Village, LOEKIE HEUNIS told CXPRESS about the beautiful work done by members, and why there was so much to celebrate last Friday URING May last year, we initialised a project with unemployed ladies in the community to transfer our knitting, crocheting and beading skills. It started off with one lady and today, we have 14 to 17 ladies working and standing together - as our name indicates.

Masimanyane’s main objective is to uplift and develop the skills of unemployed ladies to the extent where they can earn money with their handwork to either support themselves or to contribute to their families’ income.

As part of the training we aim to teach the women basic bookkeeping skills, time keeping, problem solving, and coping with other general family matters.

We plan to manage Masimanyane on the same basis as a home industry or coop - each member will be paid for the work she has contributed.

It is pure joy to see these ladies, who couldn’t hold two needles together not so long ago, make these wonderful articles! They are kept very busy as constant new orders for their handwork are received.

Their lovely handcrafts are available each first Saturday of the month at the Storms River Village Market next to the Bistro as you enter the village.

Masimanyane is not selfsustainable yet and all wool, beads and other materials used are donated or bought with funds we have saved. A great amount of wool and beads are needed to produce enough articles to sell, in order to start showing a profit.

Any donation to this end is most welcome and your consideration and kind heartedness to support our community and this project is greatly appreciated. We

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CHEERS TO A GREAT YEAR: The Masimanyane ladies mixed work with play during their first birthday celebration last week below are some of their pretty knitted items and beadwork

ONE ON ONE: Masimanyane Ladies Club’s very first member, Rina, blows out the club’s very first birthday candle

also invite readers to visit us in the Anglican Church Hall in Storms River on Thursday and Friday mornings.

We were very excited to celebrate our first birthday last week. We are so blessed to have been going for one whole year and celebrated this occasion with some eats and a single candle!

We thank everyone who have supported us dur-

ing the past year, be it by buying an item, donating cash or wool - and here Joy Sachs from wool&more in Plett must be mentioned especially - or just by prayers and pep talks. Thank you sooo much! Without you it would never have happened.

• Call Loekie on 042 281 1033 or 082 775 2112 if you would like to contribute or find out more.

St Peter’s and Anns keep Qolweni kids warm On Sunday May 15 a highly successful Jersey Sunday was held at St Peter’s Chapelry. An array of close on 200 colourful jerseys lovingly donated by parishioners as well as a most generous donation of jerseys from Plettenberg Bay’s Rotary Anns filled the church. The jerseys have been given to Ann Holmes to be distributed amongst the needy children at the Siyakhula Crèche and Baby Centre in Qolweni to provide warmth as the chill of winter takes hold. Organisers Pauline Coubrough and Pat Douglas thank everyone who contributed to this charitable cause.

Photo: Pauline Coubrough

BUSINESS

1 June 2016

CXPRESS

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SA mobile app endeavours to boost employment N innovative app developed by two South African entrepreneurs recently went live after months of Beta-phase trials and tests.

Called Honest Abe, the developers of the app hope it will help freeing thousands of people economically by playing a role in stimulating employment and building trust between homeowners and local tradesmen across South Africa.

“My partner and I work in the building services industry and we have seen

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Investor Focus

how a lot of smaller tradesmen struggle to find regular work,” says James Mittan, co-founder of the Honest Abe app.

“This is not because the work isn’t out there for them, but because many homeowners are wary of inviting strangers into their homes to quote on jobs and do the work.”

Through Honest Abe, homeowners can list jobs they would like done. The Honest Abe app then sends an alert to all the relevant

tradesmen working in the area, allowing these tradesmen to send the homeowner their quote for the job or arrange for a site inspection.

Tradesmen can also be given a rating by the homeowner based on their completed work, and this helps the tradesmen to get new work based on their track record.

Fly-by-night operators who give the industry a bad name won’t be listed on Honest Abe and, through this form of informal veri-

fication, homeowners will have the confidence to stop doing dodgy or dangerous DIY themselves and rather start hiring experienced people for the job at hand.

“The country desperately needs to find ways of giving our unemployed South Africans work opportunities, as well as helping struggling tradespeople to find more work so that they can build up their businesses,” adds Honest Abe co-founder Derick Bolton.

Homeowners who need

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

SA banks are under pressure - but what about values?

RADITIONALLY and historically, when economic growth is low and interest rates rise, banks find it hard to grow their profits. In this climate, their shares become unattractive and get de-rated by the markets. We are currently in exactly this space.

Values are driven even lower with the so-called ‘junk status’ threat the country faces, and therefore financial institutions are under equal threat. It is however most possible that all of these negative influences have been built into the current share prices.

The average P/E Ratio of the financial sector over the last three years is ±13.5, while the current P/E Ratio stands at 10.7.

A look at specific banks • Nedbank: Current P/E is 7.3 while its average over the last three years is 11.

The current dividend yield is 5.6% against a three-year

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average of 3.8%.

• Standard Bank: Current P/E is 8.4 while its average over the last three years is 12.4. The current dividend yield is 4.9% against a three-year average of 3.6% • First Rand Bank: Current P/E is 10.9 while the average over the last three years is 13. The current dividend yield is 4.5% against a three-year average of 3.4%.

The last time bank shares were at these valuation levels was during the 2008 banking crisis.

We also know that SA banks are exceedingly well capitalised. This is important, as global banks have to reach a capital level that is set internationally. Our banks are already well over these capital requirements.

Banks traditionally suffer from bad debts in a rising interest rate cycle. However, after the disastrous experiences in 2008 - as

learnt by the unfortunate African Bank - our banks are exceptionally well provided for, given a high level of debt impairments.

But their lending growth in the current cycle has been highly conservative.

It is common now to get a home loan at prime plus 1%, as opposed to prime minus 1.5% that was common in the pre-2008 era.

A more cautious stance has been adopted in the consumer segment, where the effects of higher inflation and the risks of job losses are likely to be more pronounced in the current downturn.

These valuations present a good opportunity for the long-term investor. Bank profits will continue to increase, albeit slower in the current climate. Their dividends are well covered by earnings and will certainly grow over the next 24 months.

It is possible that monies invested today will offer attractive dividend yields of well over 5% within a few years. This should be accompanied by capital growth as the business cycle turns.

I have not discussed Barclays (ABSA), as the current restructuring leaves many unanswered questions. For the brave/bold investor, however, it could be particularly rewarding depending on the final outcome.

There are several financial unit trusts available that should prove to be very rewarding. Here one must speak to your financial advisor to look at the various options.

• Malcolm has been in the investment industry for over 40 years. He has written this column in CXPRESS for the last 18 years and is a specialist in managing retired wealth.

help or advice with any jobs are encouraged to list them on this platform.

Tradesmen not already listed on Honest Abe are also encouraged to register for the free service.

The platform is open to all tradesmen, from the owner of a large business that works in the trade and services industry, through to individual painters, plumbers, electricians or any other trade professional.

Honest Abe can also be

utilised by homeowners, businesses, organisations, clubs and municipalities, as well as other builders and trade professionals - visit www.honestabe.mobi to find out more.

• One of the world’s great statesmen was born 207 years ago. Known from a young age as ‘Honest Abe’ owing to his firm belief in truth and honesty, Abraham Lincoln played a leading role in freeing millions of slaves in the USA.

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CXPRESS

1 June 2016

INTERVAL

I just read a report claiming that last year 4,153,237 people got married... I don’t want to start any trouble, but shouldn’t that be an even number?

Hey prof, why was my grade so low?

ELISSA went up to her college professor, ready to contest the marks she received in the class.

“I don’t understand why my grade was so low. How did I do on my research paper?” she asked.

After staring at her with a blank look, the professor responded: “Actually, you didn’t turn in a research paper. You turned in a random assemblage of sentences.

“In fact, the sentences you

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Situations in which you may use the ‘F’ word...

apparently kidnapped in the dead of night and forced into this violent and arbitrary plan of yours clearly seemed to be placed on the pages against their will.

“Reading your paper was like watching unfamiliar, uncomfortable people interacting at a cocktail party that no one wanted to attend in the first place.

“You didn’t submit a research paper. You submitted a hostage situation.”

The supportive brother ARY was having a tough day and had stretched herself out on the couch to do a bit of what she thought to be well-deserved complaining and self-pitying.

She moaned to her mom and her younger brother: “Nobody loves

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me… the whole world hates me!”

Her brother, busily occupied playing a computer game, hardly looked up at her and passed on these encouraging words: “That’s not true, Mary.

Why, some people don’t even know you.”

Please hold that lantern up EEP in the back woods of Tennessee, a farmer’s wife went into labour in the middle of the night and the doctor was called out to assist in the delivery.

Since there was no electricity, the doctor handed the father-to-be a lantern and said: “Here. You hold this high so I can see what I am doing.”

Soon, a baby boy was brought into the world.

“Whoa there,” said the doctor, “don’t be in such a rush to put that lantern down. I think there’s another one coming.”

Sure enough, within minutes he had delivered a baby girl.

“Hold that lantern up, don’t set it down, there’s an-

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The quick thinking son son challenged his boastful father to a game of golf. The son was determined to beat his father in golf for the first time.

On the very first swing, the father got a hole in one.

“Okay, nice shot, dad,” said the son, thinking quickly on his feet. “Now I will take my practice shot and then we will start.”

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Marathon runners with bad footwear often suffer the agony of defeat.

other one!” said the doctor.

Within a few minutes he had delivered a third baby.

“No, don’t be in a hurry to put down that lantern, it seems there’s yet another one coming!” cried the doctor.

The farmer scratched his head in bewilderment and asked the doctor: “You think it might be the light that’s attracting them?”

Win a copy of the 10th anniversary special collectors edition of Tales from Treknet by answering the following question: What is the name of the farmer in Treknet?

To find the answer go to the ‘about’ section on the Facebook page THE OFFICIAL TREKNET FAN PAGE. Like it, and keep up to date with daily cartoons and news.

Answers can be emailed to editor@cxpress.co.za or faxed to 044 533 0852 by latest June 6. Please include your full name, physical address and contact details.

(The first correct answer received will be the winner.) The answer to last week’s question was BRAK, and the winner is PJ Ausker from Plett. Congrats!

SOCIAL SCENE

1 June 2016

CXPRESS

NOG ‘N WENPRODUK VAN WITTEDRIFT HOËR: Trotse ouers JP en Petro van der Walt glimlag hier breed saam met hul jongste, JP Jnr, tydens sy gradeplegtigheid in die VSA laas maand. Vertel pa JP: “Hy het aan die Columbus State Universiteit in Georgia studeer en sopas sy meestersgraad in ‘Science of Organisational Leadership’ ontvang. Dit is dieselfde universiteit waar hy sy BCom graad voltooi het, waarna hy ‘n beurs vir die meesters losgeslaan het.” Soos soveel ander Plettenbergbaai boorlinge oor wie daar op hierdie blaaie gespog word, was JP Jnr ‘n leerling aan Hoërskool Wittedrift, waar hy matriek voltooi het. Doet zo voort, jongeheer!

People, places & events

FUN AT THE FAIR: This year’s annual Autumn Fair at Raphaeli Waldorf School saw families of Plett and surrounds emerge from early hibernation to enjoy dappled light filtering through the trees and a festive atmosphere of games and fabulous food and crafts. The Fair has a medieval flair with colourful bunting, stilt walkers, wooden tokens in place of cash, and kids of all ages trying their hand at archery, blow darts and, firmest of favourites, the Village Villain who scores a wet-sponge facial treatment if good aim prevails! The harvest table was burgeoning with a rainbow of salads, and pots of tea and cake sated the sweet of tooth. Children moved from races to games, focussing their skills on gathering as many beautifully-crafted prizes as humanly possible. One happy fair-goer remarked that it was the year’s standout event, and the littlest of revellers dragged their heels at the end of the day as the magic unravelled and bunting came down, saying they wished the fair could happen more often.

So whether you prefer surprises inside the Matchbox Castle or the teamwork of tug of war or a ride on Puff the Pony, be sure not to miss the next Raphaeli Fair. The school thanks all the generous local businesses who sponsored prizes and goods. Contact Kirsten at admin@raphaeli.co.za or on 044 533 6157 for more information.

CONTINENTAL ENTERTAINMENT: Learners at The Crags Eco-preschool hailed Africa Day on May 25 by making pretty masks to celebrate the diversity of our continent’s culture. The theme of this year’s Africa Day, fêted all over the continent, was ‘Building a Better Africa and a Better World’ - with special focus on human rights and added emphasis on women’s rights. Says The Crags Eco-preschool’s Inge Basset: ‘The day was marked by a slew of events, including a star-studded concert in Joburg on May 28 featuring artists like Songhoy Blues, Waje, Nakhane Toure and Oliver Mtukudzi. The occasion offers an opportunity to reflect, advance cooperation among African nations and celebrate arts and culture, as well as commemorating the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity in May 1963. Following its initial establishment, 21 more countries joined and, in 2002, it became the African Union that we know today.’

GIM-BEGAAFD: Roxy Joel het uitgeblink in al haar afdelings tydens ‘n kompetisie as lid van Knysna Gimnastiek Klub op Vrydag 20 Mei, en het sommer ook ‘n silwer medalje losgeslaan in die proses. Sê mams Melissa: ‘Ons is baie trots op jou, Roxy, en hou duim vas vir Saterdag se kompetisie in Mosselbaai.’ Sy bedank ook graag afrigter Yvette Share vir al haar toewyding en harde werk. Welgedaan en voorspoed vir 4 Junie, dames!

ARTS FEST STARS PLAY IN PLETT: The countdown to Plett’s fourth Fringe Festival, featuring productions staged at the National Arts Fest in Grahamstown, has now started and readers are urged to book before tickets run out. Pictured clockwise from the top: David Muller in ‘Whale World’, the ‘Camp Carrawak’ cast of Lucy and Alex Tops, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in ‘A Man and a Dog’, and ‘A Great American Songbook’ star Roland Perold in full flight. Tickets (R120pp or R70 for kids/students). Call Marie Hoadley on 083 657 9375 for details and read all about the shows, its multi-talented artists and deserving beneficiaries on page 5.

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CXPRESS

Read CXPRESS online at www.cxpress.co.za

1 June 2016

CLASSIFIEDS

ON THE SOAPBOX

1 June 2016

Letters to the Editor

CXPRESS

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

Bitou ratepayers in distress as council takes from not-so-rich T’S enough already - five khaki-uniformed pedestrian predator patrollers in one group, walking up and down the main street looking for what? Licence disk overdue? Parking for over one hour? You will get a R400 fine for this.

Three of the same clan are on duty to control traffic at the primary school.

Has Bitou’s council gone mad? Just consider the cost of all the uniforms, salaries, pensions and medical aid… No wonder the rates are going through the roof!

If this is law enforcement, God help us…

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Why not get them to patrol the town at night and help stop the flood of break-ins that visitors are complaining about? Or is their sole purpose to make life unbearable for residents while milking our tourists?

Are we a tourist-friendly town? Not with this lot.

The previous council was accused of looting the treasury. This one wastes it. What’s the difference to the taxpayer?

If this is a Robin Hood council, then at least give us a chance to hire a Sheriff of Nothingham…

Alwyn Brown, Plett

On roadworks signs and the ides of March and May

DRIVE ON THIS ROAD: There’s serious reason to panic about Bitou’s confusion of May and March, in the context of the upgrade of a road that’s really a drive…

I refer to the above photograph, taken on May 25, that shows a sign at the intersection of Longships Drive (not Longships Road, according to the maps that I have consulted, although I am happy to be corrected on this point) and Beacon Isle Crescent, that informed motorists of roadworks undertaken from January 20 until March 18 of this year, in Longships Drive/Road.

It is now over two months since March 18, yet the sign is still in place and there is a similar sign in Longships Drive/ Road. Should not the signs have been removed

by now?

Although the months of March and May both begin with the letter M, March is a different month to May. The ides of March and May do indeed fall on the 15th day of each month, according to the ancient Roman calendar, but this is just too much.

The signs have indeed been useful and informative, but the background colour of mustard yellow is hard to bear!

TR Twidle, Plett (We will endeavour to get our people to call Bitou’s people to talk colour and terminology sense into them, Mr T! - Eds.)

Dié gemeenskapsaal is geen vertoonvenster vir Bitou nie Binnekort is dit tyd vir die munisipale verkiesing. Die gemeenskapsaal in Piesangvallei gaan sekerlik as’n stemlokaal aangewend word. Die mure aan die voorkant van die saal is in ‘n uiters vuil toestand en dit is nie ‘n vertoonvenster vir Bitou Munisipaliteit nie. Ek hoop dat daar spoedig aandag gegee sal word aan hierdie saak en dat die saal geverf sal word. - P Coetzee, Plet

A sad sight on our roads While driving to Knysna with my family on Saturday May 21, we came across the most heart-breaking sight caused by a careless and obviously non-animal lover who has no care about our wild animals who live free and in the bush.

They also have a right to live - after all, just like you and me it was God’s will that they exist, so is it so much to ask to slow down or stop to let them across the road?

The baboon that was killed outright on the N2 close to Knysna, left his/ her family devastated sitting in the trees next to the road, clinging to the sadness that they have to come to terms with.

Had my mother stopped to move the animal out of the road onto the side, she probably would have been attacked - not for knocking him down, but for having a heart to move him to safety, so his family could pay their last respects.

If it was your family member standing in the middle of the road and a driver came down the road with not a care in the world and that caused the end of a life, in today’s world that driver would be charged and taken to court. So what makes an animal any different?

Our hearts were broken

for most of the day. Why must everybody fly along the road? Does the average driver not know there is a difference between a car and an aeroplane?

Roads have speed limits.

My mother used to bring the traffic to a standstill in Pinelands, Cape Town, when a squirrel was trying to cross the road. There, if you are seen and reported injuring an animal, you get a visit from the local Police or Metro.

I sincerely hope that the driver responsible for this killing has a guilty conscience forever. If you want to be in time, leave home in time - don’t turn our roads into a death trap.

Remember next time you see an animal crossing the road, it could have been your house pet or a family member and you would stop or drive slower.

In closing, something to think about: did you kiss and hug your child today?

We girls never go anywhere unless we have - who knows with the crazy drivers we have around here…

Jessica Morrow, Plett (Jessica is a Grade 10 learner at Wittedrift High and this is her creative writing contribution to the multifaceted Fish Eagle Awards that deserving students aspire to attain. - Eds.)

Leaving our neat little stone-tower pin Down Under

We read and enjoyed your article ‘The art and play of cairn building exposed’ [turn to page 5 of the April 27 edition at www.cxpress. co.za]. My husband and I recently returned from a holiday in Australia to visit our son. We took a scenic trip along Great Ocean Road and came across a small beach packed with piles of stones - Carisbrook Creek. We stopped to have a good look and decided to each pack our own little stone tower, and thus pin our presence in a country where our son now lives. - The Millers, Knysna

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SPORT & ADVENTURE

1 June 2016

Eden cops excel at Police Athletic Nationals in Bloem OMMANDER of the Eden Cluster Major general Oswald Reddy commended police members who represented the district as part of the Western Cape team at the SAPS National Athletics Championships hosted by the Free State from May 16-22.

The Southern Cape was

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represented by six athletes selected for the Western Cape Team at the event, which was won by Gauteng with Western Cape a close second and Northern Cape in third position.

Says Southern Cape SAPS spokesman Capt Malcolm Pojie: “This annual event aims to attract the best

of all police athletes from around the country.

Participants are then earmarked for selection to the SAPS National Athletics, Cross-country and Masters events later this year, as well as to the 2017 SADEC Region Championships, which will be hosted by another SADEC country.”

Results were as follows: • W/O Marais of Oudtshoorn (age group 45-49) won gold in discus as well as being selected as overall best performer in discus at the event. He also won a silver in hammer throw, scored a fourth place in shotput, and was selected to serve on the Executive Committee as Coordinator of SAPS Masters Athletics.

• Admin clerk G Willemse of Thembalethu SAPS (age group 45-49) won gold in the long jump (new SAPS record) and silver in triple jump, as well as a fourth

place in the 4x100m relay.

• Const Tromp of Conville SAPS (age group 1929) won gold in javelin and raked in two bronzes for shotput and discus.

• Const Raubenheimer of Thembalethu SAPS (age group 30-34) won silver in discus and bronze in shotput.

• Const Adams of Oudtshoorn SAPS (age group 19-29) took part in 1,500m, 800m, and 10km crosscountry.

• Const GF Jantjies of Knysna SAPS (age group 35-39) took part in the 8km cross-country, 400m, and 1,500m - congrats!

Additionally, W/O Hardnick of Training George served as track and field official and was selected as Cross-country National SAPS Coordinator.

All these members thank their commanders for allowing them to take part.

FIT TO FIGHT CRIME: From left in front are constables Tromp, Adams and Raubenheimer, with constable Jantjies, warrant officer Marais, admin clerk Willemse, and warrant officer Hardnick at back

Sean’s self-defence classes empower women of all ages OME women tend to believe they are the weaker sex and thus incapable of looking after themselves.

This is not true; women can be just as strong and capable as men and sometimes even more so, as they have controlled aggression that can be channelled if they are taught how to defend themselves and to recognise and defuse a volatile situation before it goes too far. You no longer have to be a soft target or a victim.

These are the wise words of Plett resident Sean Mcglone, who not only boasts a third Dan Karate but is also ex Special Forces PTI

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and a specialist in unarmed combat.

Good news for local ladies who want to ensure that they will not be defenceless or vulnerable when physically threatened is that Sean

presents sessions at Plett Health and Fitness Centre off Piesang Valley Road twice weekly in the mornings for anyone who think they may benefit from his particular expertise.

UNARMED FIGHTING FUNDI: Sean Mcglone is a specialist in unarmed combat and his instruction will go a long way to instil self-awareness while building strength and confidence

Paws

Plett Animal Welfare Service

“My classes don’t only offer strength training and total body conditioning, but you will also gain confidence and self-awareness while becoming physically stronger and more able bodied, no matter what your age or fitness level,” he says.

“When practising selfdefence on a regular basis, it becomes second nature and instinctive - and this is exactly what you need when caught off guard in a threatening situation.”

• One-hour classes (min six people) at 9:15am each Tuesday and Thursday cost only R50pp. Call Sean on 082 405 6163 for more info.